Careless Judge Won’t Be Allowed a Return to Duty
The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that a judge whose sloppy record-keeping caused 11 convictions to be overturned must leave the bench.
Criminal District Judge Sharon Hunter went on leave in March, before a hearing on whether she should be suspended. The state Supreme Court suspended her with pay in June, and decided unanimously Monday that she should not return.
In its ruling, the court said the 11 cases--which included four murder convictions--were reversed because Hunter failed to produce transcripts in time, accurately or not at all.
Hunter, elected to the bench in 1996, has previously said she would campaign for a second term.
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