Opinion ID: 2354900
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Ex parte investigation

Text: In my view, Judge Fox should also have recused because he conducted an ex parte investigation in violation of Canon 3(b)(7) of the Arkansas Code of Judicial Conduct. In contempt cases, a judge sits as a fact-finder. See Ivy v. Keith, 351 Ark. 269, 92 S.W.3d 671 (2002). However, the role of a judge as a fact-finder does not include conducting an independent investigation of the case before him. The Commentaries to Canon 3(B)(7) provide: Certain ex parte communication is approved by Section 3B(7) to facilitate scheduling and other administrative purposes and to accommodate emergencies. In general, however, a judge must discourage ex parte communication and allow it only if all the criteria stated in Section 3B(7) are clearly met. A judge must disclose to all parties all ex parte communications described in Sections 3B(7)(a) and 3(B)(7)(b) regarding a proceeding pending or impending before the judge. A judge must not independently investigate facts in a case and must consider only the evidence presented. Id. (emphasis added) See also Horton v. Ferrell, 335 Ark. 366, 981 S.W.2d 88 (1998) (holding that a special master, who is subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct, obtained evidence in an ex parte investigation). Here, Judge Fox conducted an independent investigation when he instructed Mr. Eanes to go to the federal courthouse to review and to copy the Pirani pleadings that he later introduced against Mr. Perroni in the contempt hearing. The copies of these pleadings were paid for by cash out of the judge's pocket and by a check from Mr. Eanes's personal checking account. It appears that Judge Fox conducted this ex parte investigation of the federal proceedings to determine the veracity of Mr. Perroni's statements about a conflict between the Pirani case and the Ross case. These actions constitute a clear violation of Canon 3(B)(7) and display a bias that requires recusal from the case. In contempt proceedings, a judge determines the credibility of witnesses. See Ivy, supra . However, a judge's actions should not go beyond the boundaries established in Canon 3B(7). The sitting judge must consider only the evidence presented. See Commentaries to Canon 3(B)(7). Here, Judge Fox already had the evidence of the federal scheduling order before him. As the majority points out, On February 10, 2003, Perroni had a letter delivered to Judge Fox, renewing his motions for continuance and to withdraw as counsel. He enclosed a copy of Judge Wright's scheduling order which reflected that Steve Pirani's trial was to begin on February 10, 2003. If additional evidence was required, Judge Fox could have appropriately ordered Mr. Perroni or the State to provide a copy of the federal docket, as well as any copies of the Pirani federal pleadings, to him prior to the contempt hearing. However, Judge Fox directed his employee, Mr. Eanes, to assist in his personal investigation of the facts, and the material obtained through this ex parte investigation was then introduced by Judge Fox as evidence for his own consideration during Mr. Perroni's contempt proceedings over which Judge Fox presided. Based upon these actions, it appears that Judge Fox became embroiled in a personal dispute when he conducted an independent ex parte investigation. Clark, supra . Therefore, based upon our well-established case law regarding a judge's recusal, as well as our Canons in the Code of Judicial Conduct, I believe that Judge Fox abused his discretion in refusing to recuse at that time.