In the Matter of the Application for Disciplinary Action Against Richard L. Hagar, Judge of the District Court Judicial Conduct Commission, Petitioner v. Richard L. Hagar, Respondent

Summary

The North Dakota Supreme Court adopted an Affidavit of Consent and Agreement and censured District Judge Richard L. Hagar for failing to promptly decide assigned matters, in violation of Canons 3(B)(1) and 3(B)(8) of the North Dakota Code of Judicial Conduct. The Court also ordered Judge Hagar to pay $500 in costs and adopted his plan for meeting docket currency standards. Although the supplied document title references Koenig v. N.D. Department of Transportation, the text identifies a judicial disciplinary matter involving Richard L. Hagar.

Holdings

1. The Supreme Court accepted the Affidavit of Consent and Agreement and censured Judge Hagar for violating Canon 3(B)(1), requiring a judge to hear and decide assigned matters except when disqualification is required, and Canon 3(B)(8), requiring prompt, efficient, and fair disposition of judicial matters.
2. Judge Hagar was ordered to pay $500 in costs and expenses of the disciplinary proceedings to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Supreme Court should accept the Affidavit of Consent and Agreement and the Judicial Conduct Commission's recommendation that Judge Hagar be censured for violating Canons 3(B)(1) and 3(B)(8) of the North Dakota Code of Judicial Conduct.
2. Whether Judge Hagar should be ordered to pay the costs and expenses of the disciplinary proceeding.

Disposition

other