The Last Halverson-Related Post?
Dare I hope that this post, reporting on the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline’s decision regarding the complaints against Judge Elizabeth Halverson, will be the last I need make referring to this sad chapter in Nevada judicial history?
The decision in In the Matter of the Honorable Elizabeth Halverson was released yesterday. It consists of 28 pages, leading to the removal of Halverson from office, and denying her the ability to seek judicial office again.
The Commission found that the following charges were proven by clear and convincing evidence: sleeping during court proceedings/failure to take steps to avoid repeat of occurrence; improper contact with empaneled juries in two criminal cases, with the first instance the result of inexperience, but the second instance willful; several counts of improper treatment of court employees; improperly allowing unauthorized individuals (her bodyguards) access to the RJC; lying about the conduct of other judges; three counts of impeding the administrative functions of the Chief Judge. The Commission attributed most of the conduct to poor judgment on the part of Halverson, coupled with a paranoid belief that the chief judge was out to get her.
Read the decision here.
My personal opinion, with no special information other than what I’ve read and observed, is that Halverson’s physical ailments probably require her to take medications that affect her judgment. I've known cases where medications for severe arthritis, for example, turn otherwise rational people into obnoxious bullies. This does not mean her conduct should be excused or condoned; it just means that maybe without the medications, her judgment would not be so poor. Her removal from the bench seems warranted, but viewing her with some compassion also seems warranted. Or, at any rate, I’d like to think so.
And I hope I need never say more on the topic.
