Editorial: A failure on the bench

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007 | 7 a.m.

Disgraced District Judge Elizabeth Halverson has lashed out at the state disciplinary hearing on her behavior , saying it is part of a larger conspiracy that includes a number of judges, attorneys and courthouse workers.

She asked the state Supreme Court to stop the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline from continuing its investigation. She also wanted the court to overturn the temporary suspension the commission meted out while it further considers her case.

Last week the court wisely decided against Halverson, finding no merit in the many claims she had made, including the argument that the commission did not have the power to act as it did.

This is a thankfully rare case. The allegations against her include verbally and sexually harassing court employees, falling asleep on the bench and violating judicial canons with such outrageous behavior as discussing cases with jurors over meals. Attorneys have also lost faith in her, filing a record number of motions to move their cases out of her courtroom.

The commission found she was a threat to the administration of justice and ordered the suspension. Writing for the court, Justice Bill Maupin said the commission acted within its rights, noting Halverson's widely reported bad behavior "necessarily impacted the confidence that Nevadans generally, and Clark County citizens in particular, have in their judiciary."

Halverson has undercut the public's trust in the judiciary with her actions and disqualified herself from the bench. Her behavior has been unconscionable for a sitting judge, made worse by how she has tried to tar her critics and dodge the accusations.

The commission should quickly take steps to remove her permanently.