11/27/2009 5:24:00 AM
Ohio Supreme Court considers case against Judge Campbell
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| TB file photo In this file photo from June 1 of this year, Van Wert Municipal Court Judge Phil Campbell testifies during his hearing in Columbus on conduct charges. The agreed-upon sanctions stemming from that case are now in the hands of the Supreme Court of Ohio. |
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BY ED GEBERT
Times Bulletin News Writer
egebert@timesbulletin.com
The Supreme Court of Ohio now has the case against Van Wert Municipal Judge Phil W. Campbell. The Board of Commissioners on Grievance and Discipline has unanimously agreed to adopt the previously agreed-upon sanctions against Campbell. If no further objections are filed by Dec. 8, the court will render a decision at some time following.
At a hearing with the board on June 1, each side in the case agreed to recommend a 12-month suspension for Campbell with six months stayed. The board decided to support the recommendation after considering the case on Oct. 9.
The panel considered other cases concerning the conduct of judges, including four cases where judges were given up to a 24-month suspension with 12 months stayed. Also considered were three cases which involved lesser punishment.
In its report, the board found that Campbell has not been the subject of any previous discipline, had not acted with a dishonest or selfish motive, had made a full and free disclosure to the board and exhibited a cooperative attitude toward the proceedings.
However, the report also reads, "The Supreme Court of Ohio does not condone the conduct of judges which negatively impacts the integrity and independence of the judiciary."
The original misconduct complaint against Campbell was filed May 13, 2008, detailing ten separate cases in which it was asserted that the judge had violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. The specifics of the cases, whose dates ranged from 2004-2006, outlined the accusations. Among the violations asserted were not upholding the integrity and independence of the judiciary, not performing duties without bias or prejudice, not being patient, dignified, and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, and others, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, and not being faithful to the law and maintaining professional competence in it.
In the agreement made in June, the tenth case and the charges contained in it were dropped. At that hearing, Campbell took the stand and testified, admitting to using poor judgment regarding his behavior in the cases.
In its decision, the board also ordered that the cost of the proceedings be paid by the judge. A copy of a statement of expenses shows a total to this point of $1,269.53.
Campbell was admitted to the bar in Ohio on Nov. 19, 1976, and was appointed to the bench March 1, 1987 in his current position. He was re-elected in 1993, 1999, and 2005. His current six-year term expires on Dec. 31, 2011.
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