Name: Special court asked to discipline Oklahoma County judge
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Special court asked to discipline Oklahoma County judge

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Nolan Clay Embattled Oklahoma County District Judge Kendra Coleman faces possible removal from office after being accused of further misconduct that includes humiliating victims of domestic violence.The judge — elected in 2018 — denies wrongdoing.The Supreme Court on Monday told a special seldom-used court her actions warrant discipline.The majority of justices also called for her immediate temporary suspension from office with pay. They warned "the circumstances giving rise to the foregoing facts ... are in serious danger of continuing.""There is an existing emergency," they warned. "Great and irreparable harm and injury will likely occur if Respondent is allowed to continue in the capacity of a District Judge."Making any decision on discipline and suspension will be the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary. A hearing on the temporary suspension request, if necessary, was set for July 16. A trial on the misconduct accusations was set for Aug. 31.The Court on the Judiciary has removed six judges for oppression in office or other misconduct grounds since its creation more than 50 years ago. The last time was in 2002. A judge facing discipline before the court in 2018 resigned instead.Accusations against Coleman were first investigated last year by the Council on Judicial Complaints. The council in October told the Supreme Court she should be removed because she lacked judicial temperament, was guilty of oppression in office and failed to follow the law and appreciate the importance of a fair and impartial judiciary.Instead, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 in December to reprimand her, admonish her and put her on probation with the warning that "future derelictions ... will not be tolerated."She was reprimanded in December for failing to file campaign reports on time. She was admonished for neglecting her federal, state and county tax obligations and for not paying parking tickets on time.She has been assessed more than $100,000 by the IRS and the state for overdue income taxes, penalties and interest dating back years, The Oklahoman reported in September. "I'm a regular person with regular issues the same as everyone else in the world," she told The Oklahoman at the time. "It's life. These things happen.The Supreme Court took the action Monday after the Council on Judicial Complaints investigated further reports about her behavior. The council again recommended her removal.She was assigned for most of last year to oversee criminal cases, but clashed in that position with District Attorney David Prater and at times defense attorneys. She was reassigned for 2020 to handle victim protective order (VPO) requests and mental health cases.The Court on the Judiciary is being asked to look both at her actions in criminal cases and in VPO cases.She is accused of violating the Code of Judicial Conduct in certain criminal cases when she refused to step down to avoid the appearance of impropriety. In one case, over a fatal dog mauling, she insisted on presiding over it even though the defendant's attorney had hosted a fundraiser for her and donated $1,000 to her campaign.She also is accused of inappropriate behavior in the courthouse that has worsened since she was put on probation in December. The Court on the Judiciary was told in a petition that she has "used her authority from the bench to criticize, intimidate and humiliate petitioners seeking a VPO.""The abuse extends to victims' advocates who seek to appear with and to support the victims seeking a VPO," according to the petition. "The Respondent has created an appearance by words and actions to advocates and others that she harbors a bias against advocacy groups. ... The ... abusive demeanor toward petitioners, colleagues and advocates has continued even after ... training in February 2020 on proper judicial skills for managing domestic violence cases."In one instance described as oppressive, the judge in May fined a woman seeking a protective order.The woman had wanted protection from her daughter. The woman told the judge her daughter was homeless, on meth and heroin, and carries a knife."I'm afraid of what she might do," the woman wrote in a VPO request.The judge, however, denied the request and then found the woman in direct contempt of court when the woman told a deputy sheriff someone would have to die to get it approved."Two witnesses refuted that the petitioner's statement or behavior was disruptive or contemptuous," the Court on the Judiciary was told. "In imposing the punishment for direct contempt, the Respondent told the petitioner that she had the authority to hold her in jail for 180 days ... although she only issued a $200 fine."Coleman, 44, of Oklahoma City, faces a separate criminal trial over a tax evasion charge. She is accused in the felony charge of intentionally evading payment of her 2017 state taxes.

Nolan Clay Embattled Oklahoma County District Judge Kendra Coleman faces possible removal from office after being accused of further misconduct that includes humiliating victims of domestic violence.The judge — elected in 2018 — denies wrongdoing.The Supreme Court on Monday told a special seldom-used court her actions warrant discipline.The majority of justices also called for her immediate temporary suspension from office with pay. They warned "the circumstances giving rise to the foregoing facts ... are in serious danger of continuing.""There is an existing emergency," they warned. "Great...

Special court asked to discipline Oklahoma County judge

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