Opinion ID: 1622752
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Clear and Convincing Evidence of Misconduct

Text: This Court is vested with exclusive original jurisdiction in judicial disciplinary proceedings. La. Const. Art. V, § 25(C). Accordingly, it has the power to make determinations of fact based on the evidence in the record and is not bound by, nor required to give any weight to, the findings and recommendations of the Judiciary Commission. In re: King, 03-1412, p. 17 (La.10/21/03), 857 So.2d 432, 445. It is undisputed that the charges imposed against a member of the judiciary must be proven by clear and convincing evidence. In re: Hughes, 03-3408, p. 12 (La.4/22/04), 874 So.2d 746, 760. The standard of proof supporting the charge or charges against a judge must be less than beyond a reasonable doubt, but more than a mere preponderance of the evidence. In re: Bowers, 98-1735, p. 7 (La.12/1/98) 721 So.2d 875, 880. We now apply these principles to the record and pertinent law. Judge Morvant readily conceded he assessed in favor of I Care the probationary fines subject of the formal charge during the time he was a member of the program's advisory council. By his own admission to the underlying misconduct, he provided the OSC with sufficient evidence to satisfy its evidentiary burden. Without question, the ease of association between the monetary assessments and his council position leads to the perception that Judge Morvant misused the prominence of his judicial office to further his personal interests. When the public believes that a jurist is engaging in misconduct relative to his official duties or engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, it discredits his judicial office and potentially undermines the integrity of the judiciary as a whole. Based on such, we conclude there is clear and convincing evidence to support violations of Canon 2 B of the Code of Judicial Conduct and Article V, § 25(C) of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, as set forth in the formal charge.