Commission: Judge Violated Code Of Conduct
Commission: Judge Violated Code Of Conduct Save Email Print
Reporter: By Eli Ross
Email Address: eli.ross@kwtx.com
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(September 9, 2008) - A Texas judicial commission is questioning the professional competence of a Central Texas Municipal Judge following a disputed court proceeding.

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued the Public Admonition and Order of Additional Education against Marlin Municipal Court Judge Lynda Lawless this summer.

In its ruling, The Commission writes, "the Commission concludes based on the facts and evidence before it that Judge Lawless failed to comply with the law and demonstrated a fundamental lack of professional competence in the law."

The ruling lays out seven instances where it found Lawless violated canons of Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.

Including:
A. Conducting proceedings without a prosecutor
B. Conducting proceedings over the telephone and without a prosecutor
C. Discussing the merits of cases with complaining witnesses outside the presence of the defendant and/or a prosecutor
D. Issuing capias pro fine warrants without a judgment against the defendant
E. Coercing the defendant to pay all fines instanter with the threat of arrest and jail for entering a plea of not guilty.
F. Failing to announce or render her judgments in open court
G. Failing to reduce her judgments to writing.

The Commission ordered Judge Lawless to obtain four hours of instruction in the areas of appearance bonds, warrants, class C misdemeanor pre-trial and trial procedures, and record keeping.

Lawless told News 10 on Tuesday night she accepts The Commission's findings, but insists all of this isn't totally her fault.

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Posted by: MeMe Location: Waco, Texas on Sep 12, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Well what do you expect?? This is Marlin we are talkin about. Most {or all} of Marlin's law enforcement in crooked and don't follow the rules. They apply how they feel to the situation, and not whats right. And.. why does she have the right to continue to hold a position in which she violated so many times?? If she went to school for a certain period to become a jude, and still screws up, what makes you think 4 hours will fix anything. Ignorant!! All the people are, The people of Marlin need to open their mouths and get something done around that place, New blood, new life, and new opportunities for all. Those folks{ particularly white} really don't care too much any how.
Posted by: a little common sense Location: goes a long way on Sep 12, 2008 at 11:58 AM
well, all i can say (as a court clerk) is she should have known better. someone below said the people working under her were not the "smartest apples in the bunch" well, i dont know them but i can tell you that clerks are not supposed to give legal advice so that may be why they "never have the answers" it is a Judge who takes control of the courtroom, judicial proceedings, AND guess what, they sign off on warrants and judgments too. Marlin might just need a new judge rather than new help for the judge.
Posted by: dude Location: texas on Sep 10, 2008 at 01:00 PM
the name says it all, ( judge lawless ) like hiring a plumber named I.B. LEAKY
Posted by: Mother of Three Location: Temple on Sep 10, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I'm no lawyer or judge, but common sense says you HAVE to have a prosecutor present to conduct court proceedings. When you protest a ticket (in Temple anyway) and the cop doesn't show up it's dismissed. The judge doesn't continue the proceedings with him/her. And all she has to do is take a couple classes and she's back in there?? Or does she have to have 4 hours in each area?? How many of us would keep our jobs if we did what she did?? She insists it's not all her fault. The only one that I can understand not being her fault is the last one because I would imagine someone does all the written stuff for her. But the others seem to be violations in open court where she is in control. Can someone who knows more about court proceedings explain to me how she's not at fault?
Posted by: chris Location: Temple on Sep 10, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Marlin...shocker.
Posted by: Angela Location: Belton on Sep 10, 2008 at 06:15 AM
I wonder how many people have to take 4 hours of continuing education when they violate someone's civil rights?
Posted by: Jim Location: Marlin on Sep 10, 2008 at 01:15 AM
Let me start by saying this I have seen the ones that work under Judge Lawless I know a couple of them and they are not the smartes appels in the bunch but what do you know they are from Marlin.. They never have any answers to any questions you need to know they always pass the bucket so maybe instead of judging Judge Lawless they should get her some better help. She cant do it all And while they are checking her out why dont they do a check on Judge Stem and the DA lets see just how honest they are. We just need new blood in Marlin these all are like the x shirf Larry Pamplin and Brady Pamplin and we see how that turned out once they have been here for awhile they start making thier on rules and laws up This is Falls County you .... Its all about who you know around here
Posted by: Linda J Location: Marlin on Sep 10, 2008 at 01:03 AM
I would just love to know who the person was that got the tickets and didnt appear for them and what ever else it was cause Im from Marlin and I know we have alote of Judges Das cops and Lawyers that thank they are above the law and if they get tickest we are just suppose to let them go on not pay not appear so I would almost bet my house on that the person that has did all this is in the public eye here in Marlin Tx....
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