“These proseletyzing actions overstepped judicial authority, were inappropriate and were unconstitutional,” said
a judicial conduct complaint that the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed Thursday with the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct.
“They are not the actions of an impartial judge,” Hardwick said.
Hardwick said judicial canons require a judge to maintain decorum in proceedings, never show bias or prejudice, always remain impartial, and promote public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary. She said the rules specifically prohibit a judge from performing duties in a way that manifests bias or prejudice based on religion.
“I’m a very religious person but I do not think it’s ok for a judge to do this,” said a tweet by Jason Steed, counsel at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton in Dallas.
In a reply tweet, Jared Cook, an attorney at Adams Leclair in Rochester, New York, wrote, “Not in open court like that. I wouldn’t be as concerned if the judge met with her in private later.”
Methfessel & Werbel associate Jason Dominguez of Edison, New Jersey, added in a tweet, “Christian. Lawyer. This was completely inappropriate and very likely against the judicial canon and most definitely violates the First Amendment.”
“It wasn’t a legal or ethical violation in my opinion. She is human and responded in a very human way. I do not believe it will have any bearing on her impartiality or become an issue for post-trial motions,” said Creuzot.
“Those people didn’t live this trial. This trial is a one-in-a-billion circumstance, that had extreme emotions throughout it, and there was good on both sides. The judge lived through it. She saw this as a unique circumstance. She hugged the Jean family. She was crying when the father was testifying. The judge was just experiencing the emotions of a human being,” said Rogers, of counsel at Lyon, Gorsky & Gilbert in Dallas. “For anyone to say it has any bearing on her ability to be fair is taking a cold, narrow, cynical view of a judge’s role.”
“It was the most humbling and gracious action that I’ve ever seen in my legal career. For him to have the courage to get up there, and exemplify what he truly believes, was one of the bravest examples of grace I’ve ever seen in my life, and definitely one of the most amazing moments I’ve ever witnessed in the courtroom,” Rogers recalled. “I lost it. I’ve never lost it like that. There wasn’t a dry eye on the defense team.”
Ethics Complaint Filed Against Judge Who Gave Bible to Amber Guyger After Murder Trial | Texas Lawyer
