In the Matter of the Honorable Geoff L. Robison, Judge of the New Haven City Court

Summary

The Indiana Supreme Court explains its dismissal as moot of judicial-discipline proceedings against Geoff L. Robison, a non-attorney judge of the New Haven City Court, following his resignation, closure of the court, and agreement prohibiting future judicial service. The opinion discusses municipal courts' limited authority over infraction deferral programs and cautions judges against assuming prosecutorial functions. The proceedings were terminated without a hearing or finding of misconduct, and no costs were assessed.

Holdings

1. The disciplinary matter was properly dismissed as moot because the respondent was no longer a judge, the court over which he presided no longer existed, and the conditional agreement prohibited him from future judicial service; continued litigation would inefficiently consume limited judicial resources.
2. Trial courts may neither dismiss infraction deferral cases sua sponte nor use the prosecutor's signature stamp to administer or execute infraction deferral agreements.
3. Municipal court judges, including non-attorney judges, must maintain, preserve, and protect the independence of Indiana's judiciary and comply with the ethical duties applicable to judges.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the judicial disciplinary proceeding should be dismissed as moot after the respondent resigned, the municipal court closed, and the respondent agreed to a prohibition on future judicial service.
2. Whether municipal trial courts may sua sponte dismiss infraction deferral cases or use a prosecutor's signature stamp to administer or execute infraction deferral agreements.
3. Whether a municipal court judge may assume duties assigned by statute to a prosecuting attorney in the administration of infraction deferral programs.

Disposition

dismissed