[Tee]

I agree with Bubba....The judge is the final checks/balance in the equation. The judge screwed up.

And FD, yes the judge can get in trouble. Anyone can file a complaint to the judicial review board or to the State Bar. These complaints do get investigated by an oversight board which then chooses appropriate punishment which could be anything from admonishing, citation and even disbarment. These become part of the judges public record and too many of these will result in early retirement for the judge.

Judges do make mistakes, especially in the smaller towns where the buddy system seems to be more prevalant and sometimes they need a reality check. I know, I have done it and successfully had the judge admonished for improper conduct. Anyone remember my $500 speeding ticket? The fine was justified simply for "wasting the courts time". Well the judge got a reality check by the review board and the fine was thrown out. Just ask judge Freelove. Problem is, most people don't report it or go through the trouble of the complaint process. If more people did, the judges might be a little more careful about what they do and say, making sure it falls within the spirit of the law.