| The Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) has filed disciplinary charges against Blackford Circuit Court Judge Dean A. Young. The JQC alleges four counts of misconduct related to events in August 2015. Judge Young has 20 days to file an answer to the charges.
The 11-page “Notice of the Institution of Formal Proceedings and Statement of Charges” is public record and has been filed with the Appellate Clerk’s Office. The charges are brought by the 7-member JQC which investigates alleged ethical misconduct by judges. Generally, the disciplinary charges assert Judge Young enjoined the elected Blackford County Circuit Court Clerk from the courthouse after conducting a hearing at which she was not present and for which she had not been adequately notified or provided the opportunity to seek counsel. Blackford Superior Court Judge John N. Barry is publicly admonished for his involvement in the events of August 2015 but is not facing disciplinary charges. The Supreme Court has final authority to determine what, if any, judicial misconduct occurred. The Court can dismiss the charges, accept or reject a disciplinary agreement between the JQC and Judge Young, appoint a panel of judges to conduct a public hearing, impose a fine, or impose sanctions ranging from a reprimand to a suspension to a permanent ban on holding judicial office in Indiana. More information about the JQC can be found at courts.in.gov/jud-qual. |
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