Court Opinion

ID: 5142171
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-12-31 01:10:35.767218+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:24:33.950499
License: Public Domain

In the Matter of the Honorable Amy Leigh Nickerson, Judge of the Orphans’ Court of
Maryland for Kent County, Second Judicial District, JD No. 1, September Term, 2020,
Opinion by Booth, J.

JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE — SANCTIONS — REMOVAL

Judge Amy Leigh Nickerson violated Maryland Rules 18-101.1 (Compliance with the
Law); 18-101.2 (Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary); 18-101.3 (Avoiding Lending the
Prestige of Judicial Office); 18-102.16 (Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities); and
18-103.1 (Extra-Official Activities in General). These violations arose after Judge
Nickerson was charged with and convicted of impaired driving and other related offenses;
sought to use her judicial office and personal connections to influence an officer’s decision
to charge her with impaired driving and other related offenses; failed to cooperate with an
officer during a traffic stop; failed to cooperate with disciplinary authorities; and failed to
comply with the terms of a Conditional Diversion Agreement and private reprimand.
Removal is the appropriate sanction in this case.
Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities
Case Nos.: CJD 2018-033 & CJD 2019-013
No argument/considered on the papers

                                                                                       IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                                                                                            OF MARYLAND

                                                                                                JD No. 1

                                                                                          September Term, 2020

                                                                                   IN THE MATTER OF THE HONORABLE
                                                                                         AMY LEIGH NICKERSON,
                                                                                     JUDGE OF THE ORPHANS’ COURT
                                                                                    OF MARYLAND FOR KENT COUNTY,
                                                                                        SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

                                                                                           Barbera, C.J.
                                                                                           McDonald
                                                                                           Watts
                                                                                           Hotten
                                                                                           Getty
                                                                                           Booth
                                                                                           Biran,

                                                                                                 JJ.

                                                                                           Opinion by Booth, J.

 Pursuant to Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal
Materials Act
(§§ 10-1601 et seq. of the State Government Article) this document is authentic.

                       2021-05-27 14:55-04:00                                              Filed: May 27, 2021

Suzanne C. Johnson, Clerk
       In Maryland, judges are expected to abide by certain ethical standards, set forth in

the Maryland Code of Judicial Conduct (“MCJC”),1 to ensure they conduct themselves in

a manner consistent with preserving the integrity of the judiciary. When a judge’s conduct

appears to fall short of these ethical standards, the Maryland Constitution vests the

Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities (the “Commission”) with the authority to

investigate alleged instances of judicial misconduct and, where appropriate, recommend

that this Court take appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including removal from

office. Md. Const. art. IV, § 4B.

       This case concerns Amy Leigh Nickerson, a judge of the Orphans’ Court for Kent

County, who was elected to that position by the qualified voters of Kent County in

November 2014 and reelected in November 2018.2 On October 18, 2018, at the directive

       1
         The Maryland Code of Judicial Conduct (“MCJC”) is codified in Maryland Rules
18-100, et seq. The substantive provisions and much of the structure of the rules is based
in large part on the 2007 Model Code of Judicial Conduct proposed by the American Bar
Association (“ABA Model Code”). See Md. Rule 18-100.1(a). The Maryland Rules are
numbered to correspond to the parallel ABA Model Code Rules. Thus, for example, ABA
Rule 1.1 (Compliance with the Law) is Maryland Rule 18-101.1, which is also captioned
“Compliance with the Law.” See id., Committee note. The provisions of the MCJC
generally apply to incumbent judges of the orphans’ court, unless a specific rule provides
to the contrary. See Md. Rule 18-100.2(b).
       2
         The Maryland Constitution provides for the election of three judges of the orphans’
court by the qualified voters of the respective county. Md. Const. art. IV, § 40. In order
to be qualified for the position of Judge of the Orphans’ Court for Kent County, the
individual must be a citizen of the State and resident of the county for the twelve months
preceding the election. Id. The term of office is four years. By statute, orphans’ court
judges are charged with various duties involving the administration of estates, including
conducting judicial probate, directing the conduct of personal representatives, passing
orders necessary for administering estates, and securing the rights of minors whose estate
is being administered by a guardian. See Md. Code, Estates and Trusts Article (“ET”) §§
2-102, 13-106.
of the Commission, Investigative Counsel3 filed charges against Judge Nickerson, pursuant

to Maryland Rule 18-431(a). The charges originated from allegations of sanctionable

conduct arising from a March 2018 traffic stop of Judge Nickerson that resulted in her

arrest. Additionally, in February 2019, the Commission directed Investigative Counsel to

investigate an outstanding tax lien and judgment that had been entered in 2013 against

Judge Nickerson in favor of the Maryland Comptroller. The charges arising from the traffic

stop were initially addressed through the entry of a Conditional Diversion Agreement

(“CDA”) pursuant to Maryland Rule 18-426. The investigation into the outstanding tax

lien was addressed by a reprimand pursuant to Maryland Rule 18-427. Judge Nickerson

consented to the disposition of the investigations through the entry of the CDA and

reprimand, both of which were contingent upon Judge Nickerson complying with certain

terms and conditions.     After Judge Nickerson failed to satisfy the conditions, the

Commission revoked the CDA, proceeded with formal charges, and scheduled a hearing.

After the hearing, the Commission found that Judge Nickerson’s conduct violated several

provisions of the MCJC, and it unanimously recommended that this Court issue an order

removing Judge Nickerson from office.              We agreed with the Commission’s

recommendation and entered an order on March 26, 2021, which removed Judge Nickerson

       3
        The Maryland Constitution vests this Court with rule-making authority to establish
the “means to implement and enforce the powers of the Commission,” as well as “the
practice and procedure before the Commission.” See Md. Const. art. IV § 4B(a)(5).
Pursuant to that authority, this Court has established the position of Investigative Counsel.
See Md. Rule 18-411(e). This Rule provides for the appointment by the Commission of an
individual with substantial trial experience and familiarity with the MCJC, subject to
approval by this Court. Id.

                                             2
from the office of Judge of the Orphans’ Court for Kent County. We explain in this opinion

the reasons for that action.

                                             I

                                   Procedural History

       As noted above, this proceeding is the culmination of two separate disciplinary

investigations into Judge Nickerson for sanctionable conduct4 under the MCJC.

       A.       The 2018 Charges

       In March 2018, the Commission initiated an investigation, through Investigative

Counsel, concerning Judge Nickerson’s extrajudicial conduct after she was charged with,

among other things, impaired driving, speeding, and reckless driving. Following an

investigation, the Commission determined there was probable cause to believe Judge

Nickerson engaged in sanctionable conduct and directed Investigative Counsel to file

charges against Judge Nickerson. Consistent with this directive, Investigative Counsel

filed charges with the Commission on October 25, 2018, alleging that Judge Nickerson

violated the MCJC. Specifically, Investigative Counsel alleged that Judge Nickerson

violated Maryland Rules 18-101.1 (Compliance with the Law); 18-101.2 (Promoting

       4
           “Sanctionable conduct” means:

       misconduct while in office, the persistent failure by a judge to perform the
       duties of the judge’s office, or conduct prejudicial to the proper
       administration of justice. A judge’s violation of any of the provisions of the
       Maryland Code of Judicial Conduct promulgated by Title 18, Chapter 100
       may constitute sanctionable conduct.

Md. Rule 18-402(m)(1).

                                             3
Confidence in the Judiciary); 18-101.3 (Avoiding Lending the Prestige of Judicial Office);

and 18-103.1 (Extra-Official Activities in General).

       After Judge Nickerson filed a response in which she admitted that she violated each

rule for which she was charged and requested a reprimand, Judge Nickerson and the

Commission entered into a CDA in November 2019.5 Thereafter, Judge Nickerson failed

to comply with the material terms of the CDA, which resulted in the Commission revoking

       5
          The Commission’s authority to enter a conditional diversion agreement (“CDA”)
is set forth in Maryland Rule 18-426, which provides:

       (a) When Appropriate. The Commission and the judge may enter into a
           conditional diversion agreement if, after an investigation by Investigative
           Counsel:

           (1) the Commission concludes (A) that any alleged sanctionable conduct
               was not so serious, offensive, or repeated as to justify the filing of
               charges or, if charges already had been filed, the imposition of any
               immediate discipline, and (B) that the appropriate disposition is for
               the judge to undergo specific treatment, participate in one or more
               specified educational or therapeutic programs, issue an apology to the
               complainant, or take other specific corrective or remedial action; and

           (2) the judge, in the agreement, (A) agrees to the specified conditions, (B)
               waives the right to a hearing before the Commission and subsequent
               proceedings before the Court of Appeals, (C) agrees that the
               conditional diversion agreement may be revoked for noncompliance
               . . ., and (D) agrees that the agreement may be admitted in any
               subsequent disciplinary proceeding against the judge to the extent that
               it is relevant to the allegations at issue or the sanction that may be
               imposed.

Although a CDA constitutes neither a form of discipline nor a finding that sanctionable
conduct was committed, the Commission is authorized to revoke a CDA and proceed with
disciplinary proceedings where a judge fails to satisfy a material condition of a CDA, as a
disciplinary complaint remains open until all conditions of a CDA are satisfied. Md. Rule
18-426(b), (c), and (e).

                                              4
it in April 2020, and instructing Investigative Counsel to proceed with the original charges,

as well as an additional charge for violating Maryland Rule 18-102.16(a) (Cooperation

with Disciplinary Authorities) (the “2018 Charges”).

       B.     The 2019 Charge

       In February 2019, Investigative Counsel initiated an investigation into an outstanding

Maryland tax lien and judgment entered against Judge Nickerson for unpaid taxes for the

calendar year 2013. Following the investigation, the Commission determined that the unpaid

tax lien violated Maryland Rules 18.101.1 (Compliance with the Law) and 18.101.2

(Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary) and decided to issue a reprimand, which Judge

Nickerson did not oppose, subject to the condition that she submit proof that she had filed

“federal and state tax returns for tax years 2013 through 2018, including proof of payment

of any tax obligations owed, including applicable penalties and interest.” Judge Nickerson

agreed to the terms of the reprimand, which was issued in November 2019. The reprimand

stated that Judge Nickerson would provide proof of the tax filings and payment of any tax

obligations within six months of the date of the reprimand. The reprimand also stated that

Judge Nickerson’s “[f]ailure to satisfy this condition could result in an investigation by

Investigative Counsel and the filing of Charges.”

       Judge Nickerson did not submit the required documentation confirming her tax

filings and payments as required by the reprimand. In July 2020, Investigative Counsel

sent two letters to Judge Nickerson reminding her of the conditions. Despite the follow up

correspondence, Judge Nickerson failed to submit the required information.             Upon

direction of the Commission, Investigative Counsel filed charges on August 5, 2020,

                                             5
alleging that Judge Nickerson’s failure to comply with the terms of the reprimand

constituted a violation of Maryland Rule 18-102.16 (Cooperation with Disciplinary

Authorities) (the “2019 Charge”).

       C.     The Commission Proceedings on the 2018 Charges and the 2019 Charge

       The Commission held a hearing on December 8, 2020 concerning the 2018 Charges

and the 2019 Charge.6 Prior to the hearing, pursuant to Maryland Rules 2-424 and 18-433(a),

Investigative Counsel propounded multiple requests for admission of facts and genuineness

of documents. Judge Nickerson failed to respond to these requests. Accordingly, the

substance of the requests was deemed admitted pursuant to Maryland Rule 2-424(b) and

entered as substantive evidence at the hearing. At the hearing, Investigative Counsel

admitted 76 exhibits into evidence, including the audiovisual recording of the March 2018

traffic stop. Judge Nickerson was advised of her right to counsel but elected to proceed pro

se. She declined to make any opening or closing remarks, and only participated in the

proceeding to answer a handful of Commission questions.7

       The Commission issued a written decision on January 29, 2021 setting forth findings

of fact, conclusions of law, and a recommended sanction. With respect to the 2018

Charges, the Commission found by clear and convincing evidence that Judge Nickerson

violated Maryland Rules 18-101.1, 18-101.2, 18-101.3, 18-103.1, and 18-102.16(a). With

       6
       The proceedings were held virtually via Zoom due to health restrictions related to
the COVID-19 global pandemic.
       7
        Consistent with an order of the Commission entered prior to the hearing, Judge
Nickerson was not permitted to present evidence as a result of her failure to respond to
discovery requests propounded by Investigative Counsel.

                                             6
respect to the 2019 Charge, the Commission found by clear and convincing evidence that

Judge Nickerson violated Maryland Rule 18-102.16(a).8 The Commission further found

that Judge Nickerson’s conduct met the definition of “sanctionable conduct” under

Maryland Rule 18-402(m)(1). By unanimous vote, the Commission recommended her

immediate removal as an Orphans’ Court Judge for Kent County.

       In accordance with Maryland Rule 18-435, the Commission referred the matter,

including its recommendation, to this Court for final disposition. Because Judge Nickerson

did not file exceptions to the Commission’s findings, conclusions, or recommendation and

failed to show cause, in writing, why oral argument should be held, we considered the matter

on the papers. See Md. Rule 18-437(e) (“If no exceptions are timely filed or if the judge files

with the Court a written waiver of the judge’s right to a hearing, the Court may decide the

matter without a hearing.”). On March 26, 2021, we issued an order removing Judge

Nickerson from the office of Judge of the Orphans’ Court for Kent County, Maryland.

                                              II

                           The Commission’s Findings of Fact

       As previously noted, Judge Nickerson did not file any exceptions to the

Commission’s findings of fact or conclusions of law. In reviewing the Commission’s

       8
        The Commission also found that Judge Nickerson’s failure to cooperate with the
Commission in connection with the tax lien investigation constituted a violation of
Maryland Rule 18-101.1 (Compliance with the Law). However, in reviewing the formal
charges filed in connection with the tax lien investigation, we determined that the
Commission did not charge Judge Nickerson with a violation of this Rule. Accordingly,
we have not considered the Commission’s conclusion concerning this rule violation in
connection with the tax lien.

                                              7
findings of facts, we accept the Commission’s findings as prima facie correct, and will

only disturb the Commission’s factual findings to the extent that they are clearly erroneous.

In re Russell, 464 Md. 390, 413 (2019). Having independently reviewed the record, we

conclude that the Commission’s factual findings are well supported by the record and,

therefore, not clearly erroneous.

       A.     Findings of Fact Related to the Traffic Stop

       On March 9, 2018, Sergeant Harry A. Kettner of the Kent County Sheriff’s Office

stopped Judge Nickerson on Route 320 in Rock Hall, Maryland after determining, based

upon his in-camera radar unit, that she was speeding. As Sergeant Kettner approached

Judge Nickerson’s vehicle, she stated that she had just left work.9 Sergeant Kettner

observed that her eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and her actions were slow and delayed.

Sergeant Kettner also smelled alcohol emanating from Judge Nickerson’s vehicle and

observed a clear cup with clear liquid in the center console.

       Sergeant Kettner then asked Judge Nickerson to exit her vehicle. After completing

a phone call, and upon a second request from the officer, she complied. Judge Nickerson

said to Sergeant Kettner, “[c]an I tell you something else? I’m a judge of the Orphans’

Court. So please. I’m serious.” Judge Nickerson also advised Sergeant Kettner that she

had telephoned an individual who she referred to as “Kirby,” and had told Kirby10 that she

had been pulled over by Sergeant Kettner.

       9
        In addition to her position as an orphans’ court judge, Judge Nickerson also worked
as a hostess at a local restaurant. Judge Nickerson was returning home from a shift at the
restaurant when she was pulled over by Sergeant Kettner.

                                             8
       Sergeant Kettner asked Judge Nickerson to rate her level of intoxication on a scale

of one to ten, with ten being the highest. Judge Nickerson stated that she was a “five” and

told Sergeant Kettner that she had a couple drinks before leaving work. At different points

during the traffic stop, Judge Nickerson stated that she consumed three drinks and, in a

conversation on the telephone with an unknown individual, she stated that she had

consumed four drinks since 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. When Sergeant Kettner asked Judge

Nickerson what was in the cup in the center console, she stated that it was club soda. Later

in the stop, she admitted that the cup contained vodka. A subsequent test performed on the

contents of the cup confirmed that it contained alcohol.

       Sergeant Kettner administered multiple field sobriety tests to Judge Nickerson.

After performing poorly on each, for the first time, Judge Nickerson raised a medical

condition that she claimed to be the reason for her poor performance. Sergeant Kettner

permitted Judge Nickerson to take measures to alleviate the effects of the medical

condition, including drinking a beverage that was in her vehicle and contacting a family

member to bring her another beverage. During this period, Judge Nickerson cited several

different benchmarks for the alleviation of the effect of her condition, at which she felt that

she would be able to complete the tests.

       Before completing the field sobriety tests, Judge Nickerson told Sergeant Kettner

that she lived a short distance away and asked if he would permit her to continue driving

home while the officer followed her. After Sergeant Kettner advised Judge Nickerson that

       10
         The individual whom Judge Nickerson referred to as “Kirby” was Lieutenant
Kirby, one of Sergeant Kettner’s supervisors.

                                              9
this was not a possible outcome, she mentioned for a second time that she was a judge, to

which Sergeant Kettner replied, “[o]kay . . . shouldn’t you know better then?”

       Once her symptoms were abated to what Judge Nickerson described as an

appropriate level, Sergeant Kettner asked her to step out of her vehicle and perform the

field sobriety tests again. After Judge Nickerson exhibited poor results on the tests,

Sergeant Kettner placed her under arrest. During the transport, Judge Nickerson stated:

“I’m serious, I’ll show you where I live” and asked to retake the field sobriety test.

Sergeant Kettner explained to Judge Nickerson that she was already placed under arrest.

Judge Nickerson replied “[t]his is going to ruin my whole life” and that she was “losing

my whole f---ing life.” Judge Nickerson then mentioned her upcoming election and asked

Sergeant Kettner for advice, stating that she had “a lot hinging on . . . .”

       Thereafter, a lengthy exchange ensued between Sergeant Kettner and Judge

Nickerson, during which Sergeant Kettner attempted to ascertain whether Judge Nickerson

would agree to submit to a blood alcohol concentration test in Centreville. Sergeant

Kettner asked Judge Nickerson thirteen times whether she would agree to take the test. In

each instance, she refused to answer the question. Instead of answering the officer’s

question, she deflected by asking Sergeant Kettner several times for advice on what “he

would do” if he were in her situation, “given her upcoming election.” In each instance,

Sergeant Kettner demurred. During one such exchange, Judge Nickerson responded to

Sergeant Kettner’s question by asking to call “Lieutenant Kirby.” Sergeant Kettner told

Judge Nickerson that she could not call Lieutenant Kirby and reminded her that their

conversation was being recorded. Judge Nickerson asked if she could call her lawyer and

                                              10
brought up Lieutenant Kirby again. After Judge Nickerson called someone who did not

answer the phone, Sergeant Kettner told her she could call someone else, at which time

Judge Nickerson once again asked Sergeant Kettner what she should do and repeated that

her life was gone. Sergeant Kettner once again invited her to call someone else and read

to Judge Nickerson the law regarding the breathalyzer test. Judge Nickerson called another

unidentified individual and spoke to that person. The Commission found that Judge

Nickerson sought to attenuate the traffic stop by asking Sergeant Kettner to repeat the

various consequences for specific blood alcohol concentrations.

       The Commission found that Judge Nickerson created further delay in responding to

the officer’s multiple requests for her answer to the question of whether she would agree

to a blood alcohol concentration test by calling another individual. Sergeant Kettner spoke

with this individual, discussed Judge Nickerson’s blood sugar and whether the officer

would need to drive her home. During this call, on two occasions, Sergeant Kettner advised

the individual that Judge Nickerson needed to decide whether she was going to take the

blood alcohol concentration test, explaining that, with the passage of time, her failure to

make a decision would be considered a refusal.

       After the call ended, Judge Nickerson asked for Sergeant Kettner’s opinion “off the

record.”   Sergeant Kettner responded that he could not have an “off the record”

conversation with her about this matter, to which Judge Nickerson responded, “[i]sn’t that

some s--t.” Judge Nickerson continued, stating that “if I lose my job with the courts, I’ll

lose my health insurance.” She again referenced her upcoming election and possibly

having to withdraw.

                                            11
       Sergeant Kettner asked Judge Nickerson two more times whether she planned to

submit to the blood alcohol concentration test and did not receive a response from Judge

Nickerson other than “I don’t know.” Sergeant Kettner ultimately advised Judge Nickerson

that, as the result of the passage of time, he would have to mark her as a “refusal[,]” to

which Judge Nickerson responded, “[o]kay.”

       Sergeant Kettner charged Judge Nickerson with: two counts of exceeding the

maximum speed; driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol; driving a vehicle

while impaired by alcohol; negligent driving; reckless driving; and throwing, dumping,

discharge, deposit of refuse on a highway. At a trial on the merits in the District Court

sitting in Kent County, the court found Judge Nickerson guilty and entered a probation

before judgment on all charges, with the exception of driving under the influence of

alcohol, for which Judge Nickerson was acquitted.

       Based upon the foregoing facts, the Commission found that Judge Nickerson was

dishonest throughout the traffic stop. Specifically, the Commission noted Judge Nickerson

exhibited a lack of candor when she initially claimed she had only consumed a “couple”

drinks and later admitted that she had consumed three or four drinks. The Commission

also determined that Judge Nickerson was not truthful when she initially told the police

officer that the cup in her console only contained club soda, but later admitted that it

contained vodka. We agree with the Commission’s findings concerning Judge Nickerson’s

dishonest statements during the traffic stop.

       In addition to her dishonesty, the Commission noted that Judge Nickerson sought to

influence Sergeant Kettner’s decision to conduct an investigation or dissuade him from

                                                12
filing charges by interjecting her position as a judge as soon as she was stopped by the

officer, and then two additional times during the stop, and by invoking the name of

Sergeant Kettner’s superior officer. We agree with these findings. The Commission also

found Judge Nickerson refused to take responsibility for her conduct. At the Commission

hearing, rather than admitting that she invoked her status as an orphans’ court judge in an

attempt to improperly influence Sergeant Kettner, Judge Nickerson told the Commission

that she was merely identifying herself as being an orphans’ court judge during the course

of the traffic stop “in case he had seen me around or in the courthouse, because, you know,

he could have run into me in the hallway or seen me, or recognized me and thought that I

was there for District Court.”     We are wholly unpersuaded by Judge Nickerson’s

explanation and agree with the Commission’s findings.

       The Commission further found Judge Nickerson was uncooperative throughout the

traffic stop. According to the Commission, Judge Nickerson was not only difficult

throughout the field sobriety tests but also refused to respond to Sergeant Kettner’s

questions concerning her amenability to taking a blood alcohol concentration test. With

respect to the latter conduct, the Commission concluded her lack of cooperation was “an

effort to intentionally delay the blood alcohol testing and obfuscate the level of her

intoxication.” Based upon our independent review of the record, we agree.

       B.     Findings of Fact Related to the Failure to Comply with the CDA
              Conditions

       As previously discussed, in October 2018, Investigative Counsel filed charges

against Judge Nickerson for her conduct leading up to, and during, the March 2018 traffic

                                            13
stop. After Judge Nickerson admitted that she violated the MCJC for all the reasons set

forth in Investigative Counsel’s charges, the Commission and Judge Nickerson entered into

a CDA in November 2019. Pursuant to the terms of the CDA, the Commission agreed to

forgo further disciplinary action, provided Judge Nickerson completed the agreed upon

corrective and remedial actions. Specifically, Judge Nickerson agreed to: (1) provide

Investigative Counsel with documentation showing she successfully completed the terms

of her court-ordered probation on or before January 20, 2020; (2) submit four quarterly

reports to Investigative Counsel, the first of which was due February 20, 2020, verifying

compliance with, and active participation in, all recommendations for the treatment and

management of her health condition; (3) report to Investigative Counsel all non-orphans’

court-related contact, interaction, or communication with on-duty law enforcement; and

(4) attend and complete a Commission-approved ethics course. To assist Judge Nickerson

in complying with the terms of the CDA, Investigative Counsel sent Judge Nickerson a

letter on December 9, 2019 advising her of the agreed-upon submission deadlines.

      Compliance with Investigative Counsel’s letter proved to be a Sisyphean task.

Indeed, Judge Nickerson failed to provide documentation verifying that she successfully

completed probation to Investigative Counsel by the January 20, 2020 deadline.

Notwithstanding Judge Nickerson’s non-compliance with the initial deadline, Investigative

Counsel extended the submission deadline to January 31, 2020.          But again, Judge

Nickerson failed to timely submit the required documents. In light of Judge Nickerson’s

failure to meet the original and modified deadlines, Investigative Counsel sent Judge

Nickerson a letter, dated February 4, 2020, asking her to explain why she failed to submit

                                           14
the required paperwork. On February 27, 2020, Judge Nickerson submitted documentation

verifying her successful completion of probation.

       Just as Judge Nickerson failed to timely submit documentation verifying that she

successfully completed probation, she also failed to timely submit the required medical

verifications by the February 20, 2020 deadline. After Investigative Counsel provided

notice of this failure by letter dated February 21, 2020, Judge Nickerson provided some

incomplete documentation concerning her ongoing medical treatment on February 25 and

27, 2020. The submission was found by the Commission to be untimely and substantively

deficient.

       Given Judge Nickerson’s failure to comply with conditions of the CDA, the

Commission revoked it on April 30, 2020. Four days later, Judge Nickerson provided

additional medical documentation purportedly remedying deficiencies in the initial

February submission. At no time did Judge Nickerson provide the required documentation

evidencing her attendance at the required ethics course, nor did she provide any explanation

for her failure to comply.

       Based upon our review of the record, we agree with the Commission’s findings that

Judge Nickerson failed to comply with the CDA by failing to: (1) verify that she completed

the terms of her probation within the original and extended deadlines; (2) submit timely

and complete documentation establishing compliance with the recommendations for

treatment and management of her medical condition; and (3) submit any documentation

showing that she completed an ethics course.

                                            15
      C.     Findings of Fact Related to the Tax Lien and Judgment

      In February 2019, Investigative Counsel initiated an investigation into an

outstanding tax judgment and lien for 2013 taxes that had been entered against Judge

Nickerson in favor of the Maryland Comptroller. After Investigative Counsel’s efforts to

obtain Judge Nickerson’s assistance in acquiring certain tax documents from the Maryland

Comptroller were unfruitful, Investigative Counsel successfully obtained these documents

pursuant to a subpoena.11

      Following the investigation, the Commission and Judge Nickerson agreed that a

reprimand was appropriate. Accordingly, on November 13, 2019, the Commission issued

a reprimand for conduct related to the tax lien and judgment entered against Judge

Nickerson. Pursuant to the terms of the reprimand, Judge Nickerson agreed to provide the

Commission with documentation confirming that she had filed income tax returns for the

years 2013 through 2018 and that she satisfied and paid in full all tax obligations owed to

either the Internal Revenue Service or Maryland Comptroller’s Office. The reprimand

specified that this paperwork was due to Investigative Counsel on or before May 13, 2020.

      Judge Nickerson did not provide the requested documents by the agreed-upon

deadline. Notwithstanding Judge Nickerson’s failure to meet the May 13 deadline, by letter

dated July 1, 2020, the Commission opted to extend the deadline to July 8. Once again,

Judge Nickerson failed to meet the extended deadline.            With no documentation

forthcoming, in August 2020, the Commission directed Investigative Counsel to file

      11
         The Commission’s authority to issue subpoenas is set forth in Maryland Code,
Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article § 13-402.

                                            16
charges against Judge Nickerson. At the December 8 hearing, Judge Nickerson told the

Commission she did not submit the requested tax documentation because the Commission

had previously determined that her documents submitted in connection with the 2018

Charges were incomplete, and that after the Commission determined to proceed on the

2018 Charges, it was her belief that she “couldn’t submit anything else.”

       The Commission found that Judge Nickerson failed to cooperate with Investigative

Counsel’s initial investigation when she did not assist Investigative Counsel in procuring

certain tax documents from the Maryland Comptroller. The Commission noted that,

although Investigative Counsel ultimately procured those documents, they were only

obtained after the Commission issued a subpoena for their production. Our independent

review of the record confirms these facts.

       The Commission also found that Judge Nickerson failed to comply with the terms

of the reprimand when she failed to provide the required documentation concerning her tax

filings and payments. Importantly, the Commission determined that Judge Nickerson’s

explanation for her failure to timely submit documentation evidencing compliance with the

tax laws was not credible. The Commission determined that, even if there was any doubt

that the 2018 Charges (which were reinstituted on April 30, 2020 after the CDA was

revoked and amended on June 8, 2020) somehow altered the terms of the reprimand, such

uncertainty was remedied when the Commission, by letter dated July 1, 2020, asked Judge

Nickerson to provide documentation concerning tax filings and payments on or before July

8, 2020. In other words, the Commission concluded Judge Nickerson had no reason to

believe that she “couldn’t submit anything else[]” after Investigative Counsel filed the 2018

                                             17
Charges, as the Commission sent a letter several months after the charges were filed

expressly requesting documentation concerning her tax filings and payments. Based upon

our review of the record, the Commission’s findings of fact on this issue are not clearly

erroneous.

                                           III

                        The Commission’s Conclusions of Law

      The Commission found, with respect to the 2018 Charges, that Judge Nickerson’s

conduct resulted in violations of Maryland Rules 18-101.1, 18-101.2, 18-101.3, 18-103.1,

and 18-102.16(a). As for the 2019 Charge, the Commission found Judge Nickerson

violated Maryland Rule 18-102.16(a).      In light of these violations, the Commission

concluded Judge Nickerson engaged in sanctionable conduct as defined by Maryland Rule

18-402(m)(1).

      When reviewing the Commission’s legal conclusions, we independently review the

record to determine whether the Commission’s decision is supported by clear and

convincing evidence. Russell, 464 Md. at 412–13 (“Upon our independent review, this

Court must determine whether the charges against the respondent are supported by clear

and convincing evidence and which, if any, Rules have been violated.”) (cleaned up); In re

Lamdin, 404 Md. 631, 637 (2008); In re Diener and Broccolino, 268 Md. 659, 670 (1973).

Having independently evaluated the record, we conclude that the Commission’s legal

conclusions are supported by clear and convincing evidence.

                                           18
       A.     MCJC Rules Governing Judicial Integrity and the Avoidance of
              Impropriety in Settings Outside the Performance of Judicial Duties
       There are many ethical canons embodied in the MCJC that govern a judge’s conduct

during the performance of his or her judicial duties. Standing on equal footing with these

performance-related rules are the rules that generally speak to judicial integrity and the

avoidance of impropriety or the appearance thereof, irrespective of whether the conduct

arises during the performance of judicial duties.12 These rules are intended to promote

public confidence in the judicial system at all levels and in all courts.

       We start with the general rule that a judge’s conduct must promote confidence in

the judiciary at all times, and not simply during the performance of his or her official duties.

See Md. Rule 18-101.2 (directing judges to “act at all times in a manner that promotes

public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary[]” and to

“avoid conduct that would create in reasonable minds a perception of impropriety[]”). This

general rule overlaps with more specific ones.

       Maryland Rule 18-101.3 prohibits judges from “lend[ing] the prestige of judicial

office to advance the personal or economic interests of the judge or others[.]” The

comments to the rule provide specific examples of prohibited conduct. Comment 1 to

Maryland Rule 18-101.3 provides that “[i]t is improper for a judge to use or attempt to use

his or her position to gain . . . deferential treatment of any kind. For example, it would be

        The Preamble to the MCJC also embodies this notion, stating that: “Judges should
       12

maintain the dignity of judicial office at all times, and avoid both impropriety and the
appearance of impropriety in their professional and personal lives.” Md. Rule 18-100.4(b).

                                              19
improper for a judge to allude to his or her judicial status to gain favorable treatment in

encounters with traffic officials.”

       In a similar vein, Maryland Rule 18-103.1 provides that when a judge is engaged in

extrajudicial activities, “a judge shall not: . . . participate in activities that would appear to

a reasonable person to undermine the judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality; [or]

engage in conduct that would appear to a reasonable person to be coercive[.]” Md. Rule

18-103.1(c), (d).

       And of course, it should come as no surprise that those who apply and enforce the

law are expected to abide by it. Maryland Rule 18-101.1 codifies this commonsense

principle of judicial conduct by providing “judge[s] shall comply with the law, including

[the MCJC].” Indeed, one of the basic tenets undergirding our justice system is that no

man or woman is above the law, irrespective of title or position.

       We agree with the Commission’s conclusion that Judge Nickerson’s conduct during

the March 2018 traffic stop violated these rules. Of course, the underlying conduct that

gave rise to the stop in the first instance (consisting of the impaired driving and four related

charges for which she was found guilty) constituted a violation of Maryland Rules 18-

101.1 and 18-101.2.       We also agree with the Commission’s conclusion that Judge

Nickerson’s interactions with Sergeant Kettner and conduct during the traffic stop violated

Maryland Rules 18-101.2, 18-101.3, and 18-103.1. As noted above, Judge Nickerson

mentioned her status as an orphans’ court judge, not once, but a total of three times during

the traffic stop in a not-so-subtle attempt to gain favorable treatment. Not only did Judge

Nickerson invoke her status as an orphans’ court judge, she repeatedly mentioned her

                                               20
upcoming election and the dire professional consequences that would befall her if Sergeant

Kettner did not give her preferential treatment. It is clear from our review of the record

that Judge Nickerson was attempting to use the prestige of judicial office for personal gain

and to advance her personal interests. In doing so, Judge Nickerson did precisely what the

Rules proscribe. See Md. Rule 18-101.3, cmt. 1 (“For example, it would be improper for

a judge to allude to his or her judicial status to gain favorable treatment in encounters with

traffic officials.”). Moreover, we agree with the Commission’s conclusion that Judge

Nickerson’s conduct in mentioning her judicial position, combined with her references to

Sergeant Kettner’s superior officer, Lieutenant Kirby, constituted conduct that would

appear to a reasonable person to be coercive. See Md. Rule 18-103.1(d). It is clear from

the moment the stop commenced, continuing up through and after Judge Nickerson’s

arrest, that she continued to use her judicial position and relationship with Sergeant

Kettner’s superior to place pressure on Sergeant Kettner to gain preferential treatment.

This conduct is in clear violation of Maryland Rules 18-101.2, 18-101.3, and 18-103.1.

       We also agree with the Commission’s conclusion that Judge Nickerson’s lack of

cooperation with Sergeant Kettner throughout the stop violated Maryland Rule 18-101.2.

The totality of Judge Nickerson’s actions during the entirety of the stop—her comments

about her judicial position and invoking Sergeant Kettner’s superior officer, her dishonest

and evolving answers concerning the amount of alcohol she had consumed and the contents

of the clear liquid in the cup in the car, as well as her refusal to answer the officer’s direct

question (which he asked thirteen times) concerning her willingness to take a blood alcohol

concentration test—are all actions that erode public confidence in the judiciary, and would

                                              21
cause a reasonable person to question the judge’s ability to carry out her judicial

responsibilities with impartiality and integrity.

       B.     MCJC Rules Requiring Cooperation with Judicial Disciplinary Agencies

       Judges are required to “cooperate and be candid and honest with judicial . . .

disciplinary agencies[,]” as “[c]ooperation with investigations and proceedings of judicial

. . . discipline agencies . . . instills confidence in judges’ commitment to the integrity of the

judicial system and the protection of the public.” Md. Rule 18-102.16(a), cmt. 1.

       The Commission found that Judge Nickerson violated Maryland Rule 18-102.16(a)

in connection with both the 2018 Charges and the 2019 Charge. With respect to the 2018

Charges, the Commission concluded Judge Nickerson violated Maryland Rule 18-

102.16(a) by failing to timely meet the conditions of the CDA, providing partial and

untimely information to the Commission, failing to seek deadline extensions, and failing

to properly communicate and cooperate with the Commission and Investigative Counsel.

As for the 2019 Charge, the Commission concluded Judge Nickerson violated Maryland

Rule 18-102.16(a) when she failed to timely provide the Commission with the required

documentation to confirm her 2013 through 2018 tax filings and payments, consistent with

the terms of the private reprimand.

       Based upon our independent review of the record, we agree with these findings.

Judge Nickerson failed to provide any of the information required by agreed-upon terms

of the CDA and the reprimand in a timely fashion. The untimely documentation that she

ultimately submitted to Investigative Counsel concerning her medical condition was not

                                               22
complete. Additionally, the record reflects that Judge Nickerson never submitted

documentation evidencing her completion of the required ethics course.

       With respect to the 2019 Charge, Judge Nickerson failed to cooperate with

Investigative Counsel in its investigation into the outstanding tax lien. After requesting

Judge Nickerson’s assistance, which was not forthcoming, the Commission was required

to issue a subpoena in order to obtain the necessary documentation. After the investigation

had concluded and the reprimand was issued by agreement, she failed to submit the

required documentation confirming her tax filings and payment.

       These inactions constituted a violation of Maryland Rule 18-102.16(a).          This

particular rule violation is troubling from a 10,000-foot vantage point, as well as from the

perspective of the individual judge that is the subject of disciplinary proceedings. On a

larger scale, these failures evidence a disregard for the Commission, the judiciary, and the

public. The judicial disciplinary system established by the Maryland Constitution and

Maryland Rules does not work if judges fail to cooperate with disciplinary investigations

or comply with the terms and conditions established by the Commission in connection with

the disposition of the investigation. Condoning such failures would undoubtedly cause an

erosion of the public’s confidence in the judiciary as a whole.

       Orphans’ court judges are required to ensure that parties who appear before them

adhere to deadlines, often following the loss of a loved one, and sometimes in the midst of

complicated family disputes. Failure to meet deadlines established by the Estates and

Trusts Article of the Maryland Code, which is administered by the judges of the orphans’

courts, can have significant negative consequences. We agree with the Commission’s

                                            23
conclusion that Judge Nickerson’s failure to comply with the deadlines and conditions

established by the Commission, including the extensions provided, set a poor example for

the parties appearing before her.

       On an individual level, this rule violation is troubling because it highlights the fact

that this formal disciplinary proceeding could have been avoided entirely if Judge

Nickerson had simply complied with the initial agreed-upon conditions of the CDA and

reprimand.    At the conclusion of both investigations, the Commission agreed to a

disposition that did not involve proceeding with formal charges. In other words, through

the initial disposition of these investigations, Judge Nickerson was given a second chance.

Had Judge Nickerson simply complied with the conditions of the CDA and the reprimand,

this matter would not have proceeded with an evidentiary hearing before the Commission,

nor a formal proceeding before this Court, including the issuance of this opinion and the

attendant sanction. It goes without saying that a judge’s cooperation with an investigation,

and compliance with the terms of the ultimate disposition, are paramount to the success of

any individual judge, as well as to the integrity of the judiciary as a whole.

       In light of the foregoing, we agree with the Commission’s conclusion that Judge

Nickerson engaged in multiple violations of the MCJC, which we determine is conduct

prejudicial to the proper administration of justice, thereby constituting sanctionable

conduct as defined by Maryland Rule 18-402(m)(1).

                                             24
                                              IV

                                          Sanction

       The Maryland Constitution provides that following “any recommendation of the

Commission,” this Court may, “upon a finding of misconduct while in office, or of

persistent failure to perform the duties of the office, or of conduct prejudicial to the proper

administration of justice, . . . remove [a] judge from office or may censure or otherwise

discipline [a] judge[.]”    Md. Const. art. IV, § 4B.       In the present proceeding, the

Commission issued an opinion recommending that Judge Nickerson be removed from

office. While it is accurate that this recommendation “is entitled to great weight,” the

Maryland Constitution vests this Court with the ultimate authority to impose sanctions on

judicial officers. Lamdin, 404 Md. at 652. As a result, “it is incumbent upon this Court to

make an independent assessment of the appropriate sanction.” Id.

       In fashioning an appropriate sanction, this Court is guided by its duty to dispense

discipline “in a manner that preserves the integrity and independence of the [j]udiciary and

reaffirms, maintains[,] and restores public confidence in the administration of justice.” Id.

at 653. In imposing judicial discipline, it is not this Court’s aim to punish. Id.; see also In

re Turney, 311 Md. 246, 257 (1987) (observing that “[t]he objective[] of [judicial

disciplinary] proceedings, and of any sanction we may impose, are the maintenance of the

honor and dignity of the judiciary and the proper administration of justice rather than the

punishment of the individual[]”). To the contrary, the goal of any disciplinary sanction is

“to discourage others from engaging in similar conduct and to assure the public that the

[j]udiciary will not condone judicial misconduct.” Lamdin, 404 Md. at 652–53. “The

                                              25
sanction must inform the public that we recognize that there has been judicial misconduct,

must be sufficient to deter the offending judge from repeating the conduct in the future,

and must be sufficient to deter others from engaging in similar conduct.” Id. at 653.

       After a careful, independent review of the entire record, we concluded that the

sanction recommended by the Commission was appropriate. We are mindful that removing

a judge from office is an extraordinary sanction. Indeed, we have noted that removal is

generally reserved for circumstances where there is no alternative to entering an order of

removal. Diener and Broccolino, 268 Md. at 671. It is for this reason that we have only

removed three judges from office in the history of this Court. See id.; see also In re Bennett,

301 Md. 517 (1984). We have previously stated that:

       Precisely what ‘conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice’ is
       or may be, in any or all circumstances, we shall not undertake to say. Indeed,
       a comprehensive, universally applicable definition may never evolve[,] but
       it is unlikely we shall ever have much trouble recognizing and identifying
       such conduct whenever the constituent facts are presented.

Diener and Broccolino, 268 Md. at 671.

       In this case, our decision to accept the Commission’s unanimous recommendation

was based upon the totality of the circumstances comprising the multiple violations of the

MCJC spanning two separate investigations. Judge Nickerson’s dishonesty and lack of

candor with Sergeant Kettner, combined with her attempts to use her position to obtain

favorable treatment during a traffic stop, undermine public confidence in our judicial

system, and clearly constituted conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice.

However, our decision to remove Judge Nickerson from office was not simply a

consequence of her traffic violations or the tax lien and judgment entered against her. As

                                              26
the Commission originally determined, such matters could have been, and were in fact,

informally addressed by the entry of a CDA and reprimand. Significantly, Judge Nickerson

failed to comply with the conditions of the informal dispositions. Through her inactions,

she demonstrated a lack of appreciation for the seriousness of her misconduct and the

gravity of the Commission proceedings. Judge Nickerson’s inability to comply with

conditions, such as confirming attendance at an ethics course and confirming the filing of

tax returns and payment of any tax obligations, demonstrate an inability or unwillingness

to undertake rather basic and reasonable requirements imposed by the Commission to

ensure that she complies with the laws and ethical requirements necessary for the position.

For these reasons, we determined that her removal from office was the only outcome that

would preserve the integrity of the judiciary, discourage others from engaging in similar

conduct, and assure the public that the judiciary will not condone judicial misconduct.

Accordingly, we issued an order on March 26, 2021 removing Judge Nickerson from

office.

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