Opinion ID: 2543702
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether Judge Buffington's conduct constituted willful misconduct.

Text: ¶ 6. The Commission found by clear and convincing evidence that Judge Buffington had violated Canons 1, 2A, 3B(2), and 3C(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct of Mississippi. Further, the Commission found by clear and convincing evidence that Judge Buffington had engaged in willful misconduct in office and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the office into disrepute, under Section 177A of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, as amended. ¶ 7. This Court has said: Willful misconduct in office is the improper or wrongful use of power of his office by a judge acting intentionally or with gross unconcern for his conduct and generally in bad faith. It involves more than an error of judgment or a mere lack of diligence. Necessarily, the term would encompass conduct involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption, and also any knowing misuse of the office, whatever the motive. However, these elements are not necessary to a finding of bad faith. A specific intent to use the powers of the judicial office to accomplish a purpose which the judge knew or should have known was beyond the legitimate exercise of his authority constitutes bad faith. . . . Willful misconduct in office of necessity is conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute. However, a judge may also, through negligence or ignorance not amounting to bad faith, behave in a manner prejudicial to the administration of justice so as to bring the judicial office into disrepute. Miss. Comm'n on Judicial Performance v. Carr, 786 So.2d 1055, 1058-59 (Miss.2001) (quoting Mississippi Comm'n on Judicial Performance v. Russell, 691 So.2d 929, 937 (Miss. 1997)). ¶ 8. Judge Buffington admitted that he had failed to comply with the law in issuing the subpoenas and stated that he did not care that he had failed to comply with the law. Judge Buffington has agreed to the Commission's recommendations and has joined the Commission's motion for approval of the recommendations. Therefore, Judge Buffington acknowledges that his actions constituted willful misconduct in office prejudicial to the administration of justice which brought the judicial office into disrepute. Accordingly, no further findings are necessary on this issue.