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Saturday, March 12, 2005

Ind. Courts - More about Indiana judges

"Commission recommends suspending Danikolas" is the headline to this story today in the Munster (NW Indiana) Times. Some quotes:

GARY | An investigative body for the Indiana Supreme Court is calling for the temporary removal of one of Lake County's longest serving judges.

Superior Court Judge James Danikolas would have to serve a 60-day suspension if the state's highest court adopts the findings of a 36-page report from the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications.

Danikolas is denying the allegations he fired a court employee in 2003 in retaliation for blowing the whistle on his earlier misconduct. * * *

Danikolas, 68, of St. John, was appointed to the bench in 1977 and has been deciding civil and family law disputes from his courtroom in downtown Gary.

In October, a Judicial Qualification Survey of Lake County lawyers recommended voters kick Danikolas off the bench. He was re-elected.

The high court will decide Danikolas' fate later this year.

The case comes in the wake of the Supreme Court removing Lake Criminal Court Judge Joan Kouros from the bench last October over evidence of her inefficiency in processing typical court paperwork was delaying justice in her court.

Meanwhile, a press release dated March 11th from Governor Daniels announces his appointment of judges for Wayne and Clay counties. It begins:
Governor Mitch Daniels today appointed two prosecutors as circuit court judges in Wayne and Clay counties. David Kolger of Richmond will serve in Wayne County and Robert Pell of Brazil will be the new judge in Clay County.

"David and Bob both have reputations as tough but fair prosecutors. Both have vast courtroom experience and are community leaders," said Governor Daniels. "David has faithfully served the citizens of Wayne County for many years as prosecutor, and is held in high regard by members of both the bar and bench. Bob has built a reputation as a diligent, level-headed prosecutor and a respected veteran of the Clay County courts on top of an impressive career as a private practitioner."

Posted by Marcia Oddi on March 12, 2005 07:38 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts