Barring something happening quickly, Surry County will be in the unenviable position next week of having a known liar presiding over a courtroom in Dobson.
The two-month suspension of District Court Judge Mark Badgett expires Tuesday. At that point he can be reassigned to hold criminal, civil or juvenile courts in Surry and Stokes counties.
And that would be a travesty.
To briefly recap: Badgett was suspended by the state’s Supreme Court after it found that a recommendation of censure by the Judicial Standards Commission wasn’t sufficient punishment for a litany of offenses. Among its findings were that Badgett had engaged in “willful misconduct and persistent failure to perform his duties,” and that his testimony before the Judicial Standards Commission “was not credible,” and “especially troubling because [Badgett] was under oath and sworn to tell the truth.”
Badgett displayed not the merest scintilla of chagrin at his punishment, vowing to use his time off to campaign for re-election.
A week ago the Judicial Standards Commission, acting upon yet another complaint, again recommended a further censure of Badgett. This time it said his actions were “prejudicial to the administration of justice, which brings the judicial office into disrepute.”
And the commission said Badgett lied yet again, making “untruthful, deceptive and inconsistent statements” during the investigation that constitute “willful misconduct in office.”
And still the judge is vowing to soldier on, even proclaiming that he tries “to stand up for law and order.”
Someone needs to put a stop to this immediately. The state Supreme Court should rule before the suspension expires that he be removed from the bench. Or the N.C. State Bar should disbar him, making him ineligible to serve as a judge.
And if neither of those bodies acts in time, there is one final resort. Chief District Court Judge Chuck Neaves could simply decide not to assign Badgett to any court until the Supreme Court rules. Judge Neaves has no reason to put Badgett back into his judicial robes, and a multitude of reasons not to. Think of the message it sends when a liar presides over a court of law.
If it comes down to his call, Judge Neaves’ obligation should be to the people of Surry and Stokes counties, not to a rogue judge.
We all want this untenable situation resolved and that you have called on Judge Neaves to prevent Judge Badgett from returning to the bench is understandable. And with that said, it is unreasonable to place Judge Neaves in this position, and unwise for him to act as you suggest.
He is being asked to, in effect, temporaily circumvent the duties of the NC Supreme Court. We already know that the high court will review the findings of the NC Judicial Standards Commission and take the action they feel is appropriate.
There is absolutely no question that Judge Badgett should not be in a position to sit in judgment of others for even a single day, but to place this burden on Judge Neaves is inappropriate.
Were Judge Neaves to do so, it will only allow Judge Badgett and his small band of supporters to cry foul even further. And unfortunately, some will buy into that argument. They have steadfastly made the argument that Judge Badgett is the victim of a political witchhunt. They don’t need, nor should Judge Neaves supply them with additional ammunition.
In the interest of confidence in the court’s administration of justice, it would be appropriate for the Judge to once again be limited to civil matters. You can be certain that his actions while on the bench would be closely scrutinized and he’s aware of that.
Allow the NC Supreme Court to do it’s work. They understand the urgency of the matter. And if they don’t, in due course, the voters of Stokes and Surry Counties surely will.
I appreciate your words and view Cooper. It would be sad for Badgett to have no work or bench assignments and yet be paid by the state…Bet Badgett would gloat about that! Judge Neaves is in a tough spot, but, he has a great talent and good judgement, something that lacks in Badgett. Neaves will do what’s right for justice. Like one blog writer wrote “Run Mark Run” about voters having the final say to send him home, I say “Run Mark Run…FOR THE HILLS” and save yourself from embarrassment!
I believe that they should remove Mr. Badgett from his position as judge.When a criminal goes into court they are asked to swear under oath to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help me God,therefore when a crimianl goes before this man how can he justify asking them to tell the truth when he has openly lied himself.Should they have any respect for this man?( So called judge)Another question to be raised isWHAT would happen if a criminal were caught lying,could they justify charging them with perjury.Why anyone would want to relect him to the courtroom is beyond me.Mr.Badgett needs to do the honorable thing and step down on his own!
I would rather vote for a “liar” than vote for a thief who is and has stolen elections.
Where were the concerned (DA’s office, this newspaper and their sold out attorneys) when the former sheriff of this county made statements to a newspaper reporter about how they should lynch him from the allison tree?(2002)
As for Chuck Kneeves? I got news for you. He is next.
They failed the first time, but they will be back. Voters beware. Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear.
I had no idea Judge Badgett included Kool-Aid among the culinary delights he serves his suffering faithful. Nor could I have fathomed that anyone could be quite the connoisseur as that revealed by the writing above. Indeed, it must be quite the intoxicating concoction.
I offer my two cents:
Despite suggestions in this newspaper, Surry and Stokes Counties are blessed with an excellent Judiciary. I graduated from Wake Forest School of Law, as an A.J. Fletcher Scholar, with Judge Mark Badgett, Superior Court Judge Andy Cromer, and Chief District Court Judge Charles Neaves, among many other outstanding individuals. In 1982, I was sworn into practice in the old Surry County Courthouse and have had the privilege of practicing law in Stokes County since June, 2005. Before that, I had practiced in Forsyth County for over two decades. I am proud of my profession and colleagues.
Here are doses of truth: No other District has a Bench that seeks Justice more fervently than ours. The District also has many talented, gifted, and idealistic attorneys. The great majority of them chose the practice of law because they wanted to help people through difficult situations. We often guide people through the worst time of their lives. Our District Attorney’s Office, led by Ricky Bowman, is also excellent.
News Flash? Some ask whether politics are involved in Judge Badgett’s situation? He holds an elected office. Would it surprise anyone to learn that “a whole lot of politicking goes on in Surry County,” or any other democratic government?
Another News Flash: Judges make mistakes. That’s why we have a Court of Appeals, a State Supreme Court, and other appellate courts, as well as a Judicial Standards Commission and Elections. Do doctors err? How about newspapers? Are we not all fallible? Jesus warned us against casting stones. Then again, His word was Gospel and had no by-line.
Many times, we disagree with our Courts. They are not perfect. Our courts are as human as we are. That is their strength. We may disagree with judicial decisions, but we must respect them as the product of our democratically chosen process, just as Judge Badgett has abided by the State Supreme Court’s Decision, despite its highly unusual nature and timing.
Another News Flash: Judge Neves has no power to unseat Judge Badgett. It is ludicrous and irresponsible to criticize our Chief District Court Judge for not exceeding his authority. The Judicial Standards Commission did not recommend Judge Badgett’s removal, nor even suggest it. Not even the State Supreme Court’s unusual ruling sought such an extreme measure. Even if Judge Neves wanted to remove Judge Badgett, or any other Judge, he could not do so. That should not be “news.”
Questions: Should the Messenger be different from other publications? It does not serve the public well to slander our Judiciary with half-truths or misrepresentations. The public is entitled to all facts, not just “chicken-little” alarms which attract attention. Other publications will not resist that temptation, because they think it sells papers. Yet, maybe, if done correctly, journalism can outsell sensationalism?
Please do forgive me. I guess I’m not philosophically attuned to your specifications. Since you insist on mixing some drinks, perhaps you could mix a few for certain members of our… well, lets just say, members of our legal representation on the state’s behalf down at the topless Magie O. Brien’s club. You could all drink up and then pass the hat around for Bill’s campaign. I’m sure you would still be viewed as an outstanding citizen of the community…. at least by your standards.
By the way…. someone remind this newspaper no apologies are needed for Obama’s victory. Their true colors are understood.
I agree with Dawson. Spencer Key, Chuck Kneaves, Mark Badgett and Bud Oliver are all good judges. It wasn’t until outsiders (New York State) that got involved did you start seeing things head for the gutter.
Thats the way with outsiders. First thing they want to do is change everything.