In re Hon. Christopher Brown, 464 Mich. 135

Summary

The Michigan Supreme Court reviewed a Judicial Tenure Commission recommendation concerning Judge Christopher C. Brown’s statements to police officers after an automobile accident. The Court concluded that the conduct created an appearance of impropriety and, considering the judge’s prior admonitions and the spontaneous, off-bench nature of the remarks, adopted a fifteen-day suspension without pay; the chief justice dissented.

Holdings

1. Respondent's statements to police officers, including his request that the other driver's name be run through LEIN and that she be ticketed, constituted sufficient judicial misconduct because the conduct invoked his judicial status in a manner that created an appearance of impropriety and was clearly prejudicial to the administration of justice.
2. A suspension from the discharge of all judicial and administrative duties without pay for fifteen days was appropriate.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Judge Brown's statements and requests to police officers following an automobile accident constituted judicial misconduct clearly prejudicial to the administration of justice.
2. Whether the Judicial Tenure Commission's recommended fifteen-day suspension should be adopted after application of the previously articulated judicial-discipline factors.

Disposition

other