In the Matter of the Honorable William I. Garrard, Senior Judge of the Indiana Court of Appeals

Summary

The Indiana Supreme Court considered a judicial disciplinary action against William I. Garrard, Senior Judge of the Indiana Court of Appeals, arising from his arrest and conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The Court found violations of Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rules 1.1 and 1.2 and imposed the jointly recommended sanction of a public reprimand.

Holdings

1. By being arrested and convicted for operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, Garrard violated Code of Judicial Conduct Rules 1.1 and 1.2.
2. Garrard violated Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 1.2 by asking a police officer to take him home and forget about the drinking and driving and by identifying himself to the officer as a senior judge of the Court of Appeals.
3. A public reprimand was the appropriate sanction under the stipulated circumstances.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Garrard's conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person violated the Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct.
2. Whether Garrard's statements seeking favorable treatment from police and identifying himself as a senior judge violated the Code of Judicial Conduct.
3. What disciplinary sanction was appropriate under the stipulated circumstances.

Disposition

other