Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, January 6, 2017
(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) has filed disciplinary charges against Senior Judge T. Edward Page.
JQC alleges one count of judicial misconduct related to an operating a vehicle while intoxicated conviction. Judge Page has 20 days to file an answer to the charges.
62-year-old Page of Hobart was driving recklessly on Indiana 149 and the results of a breath test showed his blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit, according to Porter County Sheriff's Department.
Two witnesses called 911 to report a reckless driver southbound on Ind. 149 from U.S. 6. Witnesses told police the driver was crossing the centerline and driving southbound in the northbound lane. One of the witnesses followed the car for a short time and provided a license plate number.
Police spotted the car, reportedly driving very slowly, around 10:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Pepper Creek Drive and Ind. 149 in Union Township and pulled Page over on Pepper Creek Drive.
Page told police, "I'm lost," a police report said.
Page told police he had "three bourbons" between 8 and 10 p.m. while he was at the Freemason Lodge in Michigan City. Police say Page asked what state he was in twice.
Page failed a series of field sobriety tests and according to a portable breath test, had a blood alcohol content of .20 percent; the legal limit is .08 percent.
Police transported Page to Valparaiso Medical Center for a toxicology screen and transported him to Porter County Jail.
In November, Judge Page plead guilty in case to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor.
The charges are brought by the 7-member Commission which investigates alleged ethical misconduct by judges. They are separate and distinct charges from any criminal or civil proceedings in the trial court system. The 4-page "Notice of the Institution of Formal Proceedings and Statement of Charges" is public record and has been filed with the Appellate Clerk's Office.
Generally, the disciplinary charges assert Judge Page violated judicial canons which require judges to respect the law, avoid impropriety, and promote confidence in the judiciary.
The Supreme Court has final authority to determine what, if any, judicial misconduct occurred. The Court can dismiss the charges, accept or reject a disciplinary agreement between JQC and Judge Page, appoint a panel of judges to conduct a public hearing, impose a fine, or impose sanctions ranging from a reprimand to a suspension to a permanent ban on holding judicial office in Indiana. More information about JQC can be found at courts.in.gov/jud-qual.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.