Opinion ID: 2490774
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Magnitude of the offense and the harm suffered

Text: ¶ 20. It is reasonable to conclude that the public's perception of the judiciary was harmed through the following actions by Judge Cowart: engaging in ex parte conversations with a criminal defendant scheduled to appear before her, engaging in ex parte conversations with the defendant's husband, attempting to release the defendant from jail, and making comments clearly reflecting a personal relationship with the defendant. Those present at Pearson's two initial appearances before Judge Cowart undoubtedly concluded Judge Cowart and Pearson had a personal relationship. Judge Cowart showed she realized the magnitude of her actions, because she proceeded to apologize to the officers after admitting from the bench her personal relationship with Pearson. This Court has stated, [o]fficial integrity of our Justice Court Judges is vitally important, for it is on that level that many citizens have their only experience with the judiciary. Dearman, 66 So.3d at ¶ 29 (citing Miss. Comm'n on Judicial Performance v. Vess, 10 So.3d 486, 493 (Miss.2009) (quoting In re Inquiry Concerning Garner, 466 So.2d 884, 887 (Miss.1985) overruled on other grounds by Boone, 60 So.3d 172 Miss.2011))).