Judges can get themselves in hot water too. Just ask Judge Edith Jones of the New Orleans based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. It is alleged that she said, “racial groups like African Americans and Hispanics are predisposed to crime,” and are “prone to commit acts of violence” and are likely to be more involved in “heinous” crimes than other classes of people and other ethnicities. She also allegedly intimated that defendants that claim mental impairment in death penalty cases disgust her.
Although Judge Jones may not be facing a criminal charge for her actions, she is being looked at by a council of federal judges in DC considering whether her actions constitute judicial misconduct. Surely a judge with biased opinions like the ones allegedly espoused by Judge Jones should not be presiding over criminal cases. It will be interesting to hear what the council of federal judges determine in Judge Jones’ situation.
If you or a loved one is charged with a criminal offense in Washington State, it is imperative that you seek the assistance of a qualified and reputable Seattle criminal defense attorney. The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle criminal defense lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the criminal allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case.