Opinion ID: 854124
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Cause 482Background

Text: On May 16, 1996, pursuant to Trial Rule 63(B) and its inherent authority, this Court appointed Respondent as a full-time judge pro tempore of Delaware Superior Court 4, effective May 16, 1996, until further order of the Court. The appointment was occasioned by the illness of the sitting judge of that court, the Honorable Robert E. Robinson. As mentioned above, prior to the appointment Respondent had served in that court as its master commissioner. The order of appointment stated: This Order shall be sufficient authority for the Honorable Joseph G. Edwards to carry out the regular duties of the Judge of the Delaware Superior Court No. 4, to continue the employment of court personnel, and to be compensated for his period of service as Judge Pro Tempore appointed by this Court pursuant to Indiana Rule of Trial Procedure 63(D). Trial Rule 63(D) provides in pertinent part that, A judge pro tempore appointed by the Supreme Court under this rule shall receive a salary computed at the same rate as the regular judge commencing from the date he qualifies. Respondent's appointment as full-time judge pro tempore of Delaware Superior Court 4 lasted until November 15, 1996. By that time, Judge Robinson had recovered from his illness and this Court entered an order ending Respondent's appointment as the judge pro tempore. The charges against Respondent in Cause Number 18S00-9709-JD-482 are, in summary, that he continued to practice law and serve as a Henry County probate commissioner during the six month time period he was to be serving full-time as judge pro tempore of Delaware Superior Court 4, in violation of various rules of professional and judicial responsibility.