Opinion ID: 874336
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: violation of code of judicial conduct as grounds for discipline

Text: The Council concluded: That District Judge John H. Bradbury's failure to actually reside in Idaho County, is wilful and is a violation of Idaho Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 1(A) and 2(A) and pursuant to Idaho Code § 1-2103, is wilful misconduct in office and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into dispute. Petitioner contends that a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct cannot be a basis for discipline. He argues that grounds for discipline are limited to a violation of Idaho Code section 1-2103. That statute provides, in part, that a justice or judge may be disciplined or removed for wilful misconduct in office ... or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings judicial office into disrepute. This Court adopted the Code of Judicial Conduct to establish standards for ethical conduct by Idaho judges. A violation of the Code may constitute wilful misconduct in office or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings judicial office into disrepute. Becker, 122 Idaho at 293-94, 834 P.2d at 295-96. We point out, however, that when a petition has been filed in this Court to review the Council's determination, this Court decides whether the judge's conduct constitutes grounds for discipline. While the Council determined that Petitioner's actions were in violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct, it recommended little in the way of disciplinary action. It did not censure the Petitioner or recommend that he be unconditionally deprived of his office. Rather, the Council adopted a no harm, no foul approach, recommending that he be suspended from acting as a district judge until he changed his place of actual residency to Idaho County. The Council recognized that no such suspension would take place unless ordered by the Court. The Council also recommended that Petitioner be required to pay the costs incurred by the Council in investigating and litigating the proceeding. We find that it is appropriate to adopt a no harm, no foul approach in order to accomplish the objective of enforcing the legislative decision to locate Petitioner's position in Idaho County. Having determined that a common sense interpretation of actually reside requires that Petitioner establish and maintain his primary residence in Idaho County, we need not take the additional step of determining whether Petitioner violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. It would serve no purpose. Petitioner stated in the Council hearing and his attorney reiterated in his presentation to this Court that Petitioner would comply with this Court's determination as to where the Legislature required that he live. So long as Petitioner carries through with these representations, the matter will be satisfactorily resolved.