Opinion ID: 2104596
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Behavior Toward Those with Whom a Judge Interacts in a Judicial Capacity

Text: Respondent next contends that the evidence is both legally and factually insufficient to support the Special Master's Findings, and ultimately the Commission's Findings that he willfully violated TEX. CONST. art. V, § 1-a(6)A (1993), and TEX. CODE JUD. CONDUCT, CANONS 3b(3) and 3B(4)(1993). [22] The record in the instant case shows on April 22, 1997, Daimon Rainey was acquitted by a jury in the 337th Judicial Court of the offense of aggravated sexual assault. Respondent presided over the trial. Rainey was escorted to an adjacent holdover cell immediately outside the courtroom. Respondent ordered that Rainey, having been acquitted, be released from custody. The fact that Respondent ordered Rainey's release is not in dispute. On the day in question, Harris County Sheriff's Deputy James A. Phillips was assigned to Respondent as his process server. Deputy Phillips refused to comply with Respondent's oral order, citing policies of the Harris County Sheriff's Department which prohibits the immediate release of an individual directly from the courtroom, but rather directs officers to escort the individual to a separate holding area located in the basement of the building. Individuals are purportedly released from that location. [23] Sheriff's Deputy Phillips testified that after the judgment of acquittal, he proceeded to lead Rainey to an elevator in order to escort him across the street to the Harris County Inmate Processing Center for deprocessing and release. As they passed the main entrance to the courtroom door, Rainey walked over to his fiancée and mother and embraced them both. Respondent approached them and asked Rainey if he would like to leave with his family. Rainey stated that he would. Deputy Phillips testified that at the time, Respondent appeared frustrated. Deputy Phillips further testified that Respondent advised Rainey that he was a free man and that he could take the elevator and leave with his family. Deputy Phillips further told him that if he left the floor, he would be either rearrested or detained. The testimony shows that Respondent approached Deputy Phillips, his process server, and within approximately a foot from his face, inquired of the Deputy whether he was countermanding his order for Rainey's immediate release. The testimony shows that while Respondent's voice was not exceptionally loud, it was loud enough that the people in the immediate area could hear it. Deputy Phillips noted that Respondent was angry, speaking in a quivering, breaking, high-pitched voice. At this point, Respondent placed his hand on Rainey's right arm, holding it, and began to lead him toward the elevator. Deputy Phillips, in response, took hold of Rainey's left arm. At that moment, Deputy David B. Clingan, Respondent's bailiff, returned from the jury room and physically removed Respondent's hand from Rainey's right arm. Deputy Phillips testified that Respondent threatened contempt to which his bailiff replied that Respondent would have to find them in contempt since they were going to take Rainey to be processed out. Court Bailiff, Sheriff's Deputy Clingan, testified that he too advised Respondent that they could not release Rainey due to the Harris County Sheriff's Department policy that inmates were not to be released directly from the courtroom. He testified that Respondent was upset and agitated during the discussion. He further testified that during the discussions, Respondent reached out and grabbed Rainey and told him that he could go down the elevator with him. Finally, Deputy Clingan testified that he immediately grabbed Respondent's wrist with his right hand and grabbed Rainey with his left, and pulled them apart from one another. Ms. Beth Boswell, Harris County Assistant District Attorney, testified that she was the prosecutor in the case styled: State of Texas v. Daimon Rainey. After the judgment of acquittal, she saw Respondent and his bailiffs [Deputies Phillips and Clingan] heading down the hall toward where she was standing, i.e., immediately outside the door between the back hall and the courtroom. Ms. Boswell testified that she very quickly went inside the courtroom to distance herself from the situation, knowing that it did not involve her personally. Finally, she noted that there very definitely was a dispute between the individuals. Harris County Sheriff's Sergeant Ricky Davis testified that he received a telephone call from Deputy Phillips asking that he come to the 337th Judicial District Court. He stated that upon arrival, the Deputies explained to him that the judge had ordered the inmate's release directly from the courtroom which was against policy. Sergeant Davis further stated that they talked to Rainey's attorney, explained to him the problem, to which the attorney stated that he had no objections to the procedure. Rainey himself stated that he understood the policy and did not have a problem with it. Sergeant Davis noted that they even offered the attorney the opportunity to go with them when they took Rainey over to make sure they were expediting the process to get him released. The attorney declined and stated that he trusted them in that matter. Sergeant Davis testified that once Captain Dan Doehring came to the courtroom, as summoned, that he remained outside while Captain Doehring was in Respondent's chambers. He stated that while outside, he could hear Respondent through closed doors, in a fairly loud voice, telling Captain Doehring that he did not want Deputies Clingan or Phillips back in his courtroom. In contrast, Respondent contends that the evidence suggests that he remained on the bench immediately after the jury verdict and ordered Rainey's release while on the bench; that at the point in time that the jury was escorted to the jury room by Deputy Clingan, Rainey was seated at counsel's table; that at least one other Harris County District Judge orders the immediate release of individuals who have been incarcerated but acquitted by a jury and that the Harris County Sheriff's Department policies are irrelevant in light of the legality of the Respondent's order; that Respondent's tone of voice during the dispute was less than loud and angry; that Rainey's counsel was mistaken in his belief that his client had the choice of being permitted to follow Respondent's order and be immediately released or return to the Inmate Processing Center at the Harris County Sheriff's Department as a favor to the deputies and that the term angrily, in describing Respondent's speech during the dispute is inaccurate; that contrary to the testimony of Deputy Clingan that Respondent grabbed Rainey, that Respondent's portrayal that he grasped Rainey is inaccurate; that Respondent, although not recalling asking Deputy Phillips are you defying my order, doesn't deny saying it, but that he did not shout; that there is no evidence that Respondent was  shouting in a loud and angry voice; and finally, that there is no testimony that Respondent shouted and/or spoke in a loud and angry voice in conversing with Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Dan Doehring. Canon 3B of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct provides in pertinent part as follows: B. Adjudicative Responsibilities. . . . . . (3) A judge shall require order and decorum in proceedings before the judge. TEX.CODE JUD. CONDUCT, CANON 3B(3)(1993). As noted above, the evidence is in conflict in various respects. In particular, the evidence is in conflict as to whether the dispute in question between Respondent and his law enforcement staff members occurred during proceedings, as required by Canon 3B(3) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct. The clear language of Canon 3B(3) distinguishes conduct during proceedings from other conduct. While we find no guidance in the case law of this state, or any other state for that matter, we hold that the precise language of Canon 3B(3), as it relates to proceedings, contemplates conduct which takes place in open court, while the judge is on the bench, fulfilling an adjudicative function. In applying the definition of proceedings as set forth above, we note that there is a conflict in evidence. Surprisingly, Respondent contends that he was in fact on the bench at the time his order of release was issued. The record, on the other hand, is replete with testimony as to the various locations where this dispute is said to have started, continued, and concluded. As further noted above, this Review Tribunal cannot substitute its findings for those of the Commission. If there is sufficient competent evidence of probative force to support the findings, they must be sustained. Thoma, 873 S.W.2d at 485. Moreover, if there is conflicting evidence, as in this case, the findings of the Special Master on such matters, as adopted by the Commission, will be regarded as conclusive. Id. In the instant case, the Special Master found that Respondent had already left the bench as Deputy Phillips was returning to the courtroom, after placing Mr. Rainey in the holdover cell. Consequently, we find as conclusive, the Special Master's factual finding that the dispute was not in the course of proceedings before the judge, as envisioned by Canon 3B(3) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct and as we have defined proceedings above. Tex.Code Jud. Conduct, Canon 3B(3)(1993). We turn next to Respondent's conduct off the bench, in particular, his words and conduct toward his law enforcement staff members and their insistence on following an internal sheriff's department policy in violation of a lawful court order. In Texas, a judge shall be patient, dignified and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers and others with whom the judge deals in an official capacity, and should require similar conduct of lawyers, and of staff, court officials and others subject to the judge's direction and control. Tex.Code Jud. Conduct, Canon 3B(4)(1993). It is generally accepted that judges can be disciplined for being rude or discourteous toward other justice system personnel. Geiler v. Commission on Judicial Qualifications, 10 Cal.3d 270, 110 Cal.Rptr. 201, 515 P.2d 1 (1973)(referring to court employees with obscenities); In re Broome, 245 Ga. 227, 264 S.E.2d 656 (1980)(using derogatory language toward another judge); Murtagh v. Maglio, 9 A.D.2d 515, 195 N.Y.S.2d 900 (1960)(belittling the extent of injuries of a law enforcement officer). In applying the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3B(4) to the instant situation, we focus not on the legality or illegality of Respondent's order to release Rainey, but rather assume, as did the parties, that Respondent's order was valid. Instead, we focus on the conduct of Respondent, in relation to his law enforcement staff members, in his manner and choice of language and in personally attempting to enforce his order outside the courtroom. In recognizing that in Texas, a judge shall be patient, dignified and courteous to those with whom the judge deals in an official capacity, we are not unmindful of the fact that judges are merely human. Certainly, the pressures occasioned by both the volume and the nature of the business, as well as the administrative frustrations that go along with the business which comes before a trial court in the State of Texas may on occasion cause even the most patient judge to use intemperate language and be tempted to resort to self-help in the enforcement of court's orders, when court personnel refuse to comply with such orders. See Ross, 428 A.2d at 866. While the use of intemperate language, under certain circumstances, is understandable though not condoned, we caution against a judge's retreat from her or his adjudicative responsibilities and pursuit of personal intervention, or self-help, in the enforcement of judicial orders. In the instant case, there can be no doubt that Respondent was less than patient and courteous to Deputies Phillips and Clingan, two law enforcement officers assigned to his court and thus subject to his direction and control. However, in carefully reviewing the record, we note that as intemperate as the language was, no vile, obscene or abusive language was used. Nonetheless, we note with caution that Respondent's language comes dangerously close to degrading and diminishing the law, the judge himself, and the State of Texas. Of particular concern is the fact that Respondent's dispute was public and of such a nature to possibly convey to those individuals within earshot, that justice is failing and its proper administration is only achievable through the personal intervention or self-help of judges themselves. We turn next to the aspect of Respondent's attempt at self-help in the enforcement of his order that Rainey be released from custody upon being acquitted of aggravated sexual assault. As noted above, an independent and dynamic judiciary is critical if the rights of citizens are to be protected. An infringement on the independence of the judiciary is an immediate threat to the fundamental concept of government under law. Ross, 428 A.2d at 860. Absent a true sense of accountability, judicial conduct that remains unfettered, leads to judicial anarchy. It is for that reason that conduct on the part of a judge that departs from otherwise recognized, established, and accepted procedures for the enforcement of orders and judgments, constitutes lawless conduct which advances a personal brand of justice in which the judge becomes a law unto herself or himself. We find such lawless judicial conduct to be as threatening to the concept of government as is the loss of judicial independence. Id. We clearly, absolutely, unequivocally, and unanimously condemn the use of self-help or other personal intervention on the part of a judge in an effort to enforce a judicial order when established judicial remedies are available. We also clearly hold that a sheriff's department's policy, however reasonable it may be, cannot be allowed to override the law or a lawful court order. The evidence in the instant case demonstrates an early attempt on the part of Respondent to personally enforce his judicial order. We note however, that Respondent abandoned his brief attempt at such self-help, for whatever reason, and retreated to his proper judicial role. Although the order to release the prisoner was a lawful order that should have been obeyed, we do not focus on whether the policy of the Harris County Sheriff's Department runs afoul of constitutional protections afforded individuals who have just been acquitted of a crime. Instead, we properly focus on whether established and recognized procedures for the enforcement of a judicial order have been properly pursued. In this case, we find the evidence lacking. We have examined only the evidence that tends to support the Commission's findings of willfulness in Item 3, Charge 1, Paragraphs One through Four, and Item 3, Charge 2, Paragraphs One through Four, and have disregarded all evidence and inferences to the contrary. In applying the above no evidence standard we find that there is more than a scintilla of evidence to support the questioned findings in Item 3, Charge 1, Paragraphs One, Two, and Four, and Item 3, Charge 2, Paragraphs One, Two, and Four. Respondent's no evidence challenge fails as to the above findings and his complaint overruled to that extent. Finding that Respondent's complained-of actions did not occur during court proceedings, but rather took place in the courtroom after proceedings had concluded, in the hallway and/or elevator lobby, or Respondent's chambers, we sustain Respondent's no evidence challenge only as to the questioned findings in Item 3, Charge 1, Paragraph Three, and Item 3, Charge 2, Paragraph Three. Furthermore, we have examined all of the evidence in determining whether the remaining questioned findings in Item 3, Charges 1 and 2 are so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be manifestly unjust. Given the evidence, we find that there is insufficient competent evidence of probative force to support the Commission's findings as to Item 3, Charge 1, Paragraphs One, Two, and Four, and Item 3, Charge 2, Paragraphs One, Two, and Four. We sustain Respondent's contentions in that regard. Respondent's Point of Error No. One is overruled, save and except that portion of the point of error which addressed Behavior Toward Those with Whom a Judge Interacts in a Judicial Capacity, which is sustained. Although the evidence is legally and factually insufficient in this regard, we hold that the absence of evidence did not cause, nor could it be reasonably calculated to have caused, the rendition of an improper recommendation, given the facts of the instant case. Tex.R.App.P. 44.1. [24] 2. Constitutional Challenges Respondent, for the very first time on review, has advanced various constitutional arguments. Specifically, Respondent asserts that the State Commission on Judicial Conduct has failed to comply with constitutional provisions which mandate the requiring publication of its annual report, that the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct sets forth prohibited actions which contain vague and indefinite phrases; that he has been denied his First Amendment right to freedom of speech and expression; that his removal from office would disenfranchise voters, given the constitutional scheme under which judges are elected; that the application of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct and pertinent law as to him is unconstitutional for reasons of overbreadth and vagueness; and, that the State Commission on Judicial Conduct unconstitutionally and incorrectly interpreted state law. As noted above, to the extent that they do not conflict with the RULES FOR REMOVAL OR RETIREMENT OF JUDGES, the civil rules of procedure, both trial and appellate, are applicable. TEX.R.REM'L/RET. JUDGES, 56 Tex.B.J. 823 (1993), Rules 10(d), 12(e) and (g). Consistent with established rules of procedure, Respondent, after having been served with notice of the pendency of formal proceedings against him, was required to file, and did file his original verified answer. TEX.R.CIV.P. 83; TEX. R.REM'L/RET. JUDGES, Rule 10(b). In addition, once a hearing has been conducted by a special master, as in the instant case, and the report of the special master has been filed with the Commission, the Respondent may file a statement of objections to such report. TEX.R.REM'L/RET. JUDGES, Rule 10(i). This Statement of Objections to Report of Special Master, analogous to an original answer, may set forth all objections to the report and all reasons in opposition to the findings as sufficient grounds for removal or retirement. Id. The original answer, as well as the Statement of Objections to Report of Special Master, may contain matters in bar, defense, or avoidance, as in the case of constitutional protections and/or the violations of constitutional provisions. In Point of Error No. Two, Respondent contends that the application of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct and law is unconstitutional for reasons of overbreadth and vagueness. Specifically, Respondent maintains that the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct is void for vagueness because actions that are inconsistent with the proper performance of a judge's duties and conduct that cast public discredit upon the judiciary or the administration of justice, by definition, contain vague and indefinite phrases that would deny a person due process of law. Respondent additionally claims that the Commission failed to make its annual report as required by law. Title 2, Chapter 33.005 of the Texas Government Code pertains to judges and the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Chapter 33.005 provides as follows: (a) Not later than December 1 of each year, the commission shall submit to the legislature a report for the preceding fiscal year ending August 31.(b) The report must include: (1) an explanation of the role of the commission; (2) annual statistical information and examples of proper and improper judicial conduct; (3) an explanation of the commission's processes; and (4) changes the commission considers necessary in its rules for the applicable statutes or constitutional provisions, (c) The commission shall distribute the report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives and shall cause the report to be printed in the Texas Bar Journal, (d) The legislature shall appropriate funds for the preparation and distribution of the report. TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. § 33.005 (Vernon's Supp.1997). Citing absolutely no legal authority, Respondent maintains that the State Commission on Judicial Conduct has failed to comply with the requisite statutory provisions because the last report that was published in the Texas Bar Journal was the 1993 Commission Report that was published in May 1994. On review, Respondent does not question whether the State Commission on Judicial Conduct has complied with the statutory provisions in all other respects. However, Respondent has failed to cite any authority to support his assertions. Failure to cite authority in support of a point of error on appeal waives the complaint. In the Matter of D.W., 933 S.W.2d 353, 357 (Tex.App.-Beaumont 1996, writ denied); Romero v. Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Inc., 881 S.W.2d 522, 529 (Tex.App.-El Paso 1994, writ denied); Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. v. Baker, 838 S.W.2d 838, 843 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1992, no writ); see Tex.R.App.P. 38.1(h). [25] Additionally, while the subject was briefly discussed by counsel before the Special Master, the record does not show that Respondent secured a ruling on the subject matter from the Special Master, or later the Commission, on the issues discussed immediately above. Therefore, Respondent has waived any complaint on appeal. See Roberts v. Friendswood Development Co., 886 S.W.2d 363, 365 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1994, writ denied). For the reasons set forth above, we find that Respondent has failed to properly preserve error and as a result, the issue submitted is not properly before this Tribunal for review. Accordingly, Respondent's Point of Error No. Two is overruled in its entirety. We have reviewed the record in the instant case, in particular for matters in bar, defense or avoidance as those matters might relate to constitutional guarantees, and find that Respondent has wholly failed to present any such matters to either the Special Master or Commission for proper adjudication. Predicates for complaints on appeal must be preserved at the trial court level by motion, exception, objection, or some other vehicle. TEX.R.APP. P. 33; [26] PGP Gas Products, Inc. v. Fariss, 620 S.W.2d 559, 560 (Tex.1981). As applied to an action to remove a judge from office, Respondent and the Commission, through its Examiner, are restricted on appeal to the issues and theories on which the case was tried before the Special Master and presented to the Commission on Judicial Conduct, and the Review Tribunal, absent fundamental error, is not authorized to consider an issue or theory that was not before the trial court. Gulf Consol. Int'l, Inc. v. Murphy, 658 S.W.2d 565, 566 (Tex.1983). If a Respondent raises an issue for the first time on review, no error has been properly presented to the Review Tribunal. See Golden Villa Nursing Home, Inc. v. Smith, 674 S.W.2d 343 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, writ ref'd n.r.e.). Even constitutional arguments not asserted in the trial court are waived on appeal. Osterberg v. Peca, 952 S.W.2d 121, 124-26 (Tex.App.-El Paso 1997, no writ), citing Dreyer v. Greene, 871 S.W.2d 697, 698 (Tex.1993); Walker v. Employees Retirement Sys. of Texas, 753 S.W.2d 796, 798 (Tex.App.-Austin 1988, writ denied); see also, Armstrong v. Randle, 881 S.W.2d 53, 58 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1994, writ denied). Our role on review, among others, is to determine whether the Special Master erred in making findings based on the record before it. Great North Am. Stationers, Inc., v. Ball, 770 S.W.2d 631, 634 (Tex.App.-Dallas 1989, error dism'd); see also, Ragsdale v. Progressive Voters League, 790 S.W.2d 77, 85 (Tex.App.-Dallas 1990), aff'd in part and rev'd in part on other grounds, 801 S.W.2d 880 (Tex.1990). Respondent has failed to preserve error on this complaint of denial of freedom of speech and has further failed to present all remaining constitutional complaints to the Special Master or ultimately the Commission for proper adjudication and preservation for review. Insofar as these issues are unsupported by argument or evidence, they are waived on appeal. Accordingly, we overrule Respondent's Point of Error No. Two in its entirety. 3. Judicial Behavior: Recommended versus Prohibited In Point of Error No. Three, Respondent, citing absolutely no authority, contends that the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, in sustaining the allegations in Item 1, Charges 2, and 3, improperly found violations of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct for conduct which is aspirational, rather than prohibited. Specifically, Respondent contends that a judge cannot be disciplined for violations of recommended behavior. As noted above, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct found that Respondent's action on or about January 17, 1996, in setting a $50,000 witness bail in connection with his attachment of Deputy Paul Rendon, was willful conduct that violated the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 2A. [27] Respondent contends that the application of Canon 2A of the Code to this fact situation is prohibited by the rules of the Code itself. We disagree. Canon 2 of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct provides in pertinent part as follows: 2. Avoiding Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety in All of the Judge's Activities A. A judge shall comply with the law and should act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.