Discussion Post: Criminal Courts
Judicial Conduct
In this assignment, you will research about different aspects of judicial abuse of power.
Using the South University Online Library, research the following:
o Judicial misconduct
o Judicial ethics
o Conflict of interest
o Recusal
Based on your research and these four elements, discuss the following scenario and give reasons for your answers.
Scenario
An angry state judge held state attorneys in contempt for failing to follow a court order and deliver critical documents to defendant Anne Marie Johnson's attorneys. Judge Joe Wilson yelled in open court, "That was an official court order; is everyone at the state attorney's office just out to lunch or simply dumb? I don't issue these court orders just to hear myself talk!" It is unusual, but not unheard of, for a judge to hold prosecutors in contempt, but Judge Wilson entered a contempt charge for the prosecutors assigned to this case and ordered each to spend forty-eight hours in jail with a $500 fine. Judge Wilson and Anne Marie Johnson were later seen having late night coffee at a local coffee shop by an intern who works in the prosecutor's office. On the basis of the above scenario, answer the following:
a) Discuss the effects of judicial abuse of power and misconduct, as well as any remedies.
b) Present an argument both for and against Judge Wilson for judicial disqualification or recusal from the case.
c) Discuss whether there is any harm in Judge Wilson having coffee with Anne Marie Johnson.
d) Discuss whether there is concern for the tone and language Judge Wilson used when speaking to state attorneys.
The response should include a reference list. Using one-inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.