Fine plans high-court appeal of her removal from bench

Thursday, Oct. 22, 1998 | 11:27 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Fran Fine, removed as a family court judge by the state Judicial Discipline Commission, plans to fight to stay on the bench.

She said Wednesday she intends to fly to Carson City today to file an appeal with the Nevada Supreme Court today to regain her job.

She will petition to stay the order of the discipline commission until the Supreme Court can decide the merits of her appeal, she said. She is also seeking to be returned to her job while the Supreme Court considers the case.

The discipline commission issued its written decision Wednesday to remove her from the bench, saying that Fine had violated the rules by holding improper conversations outside the parties involved in the cases. One commission member, District Judge Mike Griffin of Carson City, agreed the violations were serious but said the punishment was too severe.

The filing of the decision sets in motion the 15 days Fine has to appeal her ouster. The ruling of the commission, if upheld by the Supreme Court, means she can't hold judicial office in the future, even if she win election next month.

She is pitted against Robert Lueck.