Judicial Mistakes

permanent condition rendering judge unable to discharge the duties of the particular
judicial office.
Judicial misconduct leads only seldom to a formal investigation. A court decision is not
beyond critique. Defendants may be coaxed to enter into plea bargains that rob the
public from a fair trial and from knowing the truth. Court decisions cannot be assumed
just. They are subject to critical public appraisal as any human decision.
In the UK
In the UK Judicial misconduct is investigated by the Judicial Conduct Investigations
Office.
In the USA
A judicial investigative committee is a panel of judges selected to investigate a judicial
misconduct complaint against a judge accused of judicial misconduct. Judicial
investigative committees are rarely appointed. According to U.S. Court statistics, only
18 of the 1,484 judicial misconduct complaints filed in the United States Courts between
September 2004 and September 2007 warranted the formation of judicial investigative
committees.
Notable Judges Involved in Misconduct Allegations
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway
United States Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase, who was acquitted on
articles of impeachment
Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Roy Moore
Judge Diane Hathaway
Diane Marie Hathaway (born February 1954) is a former Justice of the Michigan
Supreme Court. Hathaway, a Democrat, was elected on November 4, 2008 to an 8-year
term which commenced in January, 2009. Hathaway retired from the court effective
January 21, 2013, after being charged with felony criminal mortgage fraud, to which
Hathaway pleaded guilty on January 29, 2013.
Early Life and Career
Hathaway was born and raised in Detroit, where her father was a city police officer. She
attended the Henry Ford Hospital School of Radiological Technology, 1972–74, before
attending Wayne State University, 1980-81. Hathaway then earned a BS in Health
from Madonna College, where she graduated with honors in 1983.
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