On Friday, May 2, 2025, Colorado Politics reported that a northeastern Colorado judge resigned amid allegations of misconduct involving improper use of his judicial position. District Court Judge Justin B. Haenlein, who served in the 13th Judicial District covering Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Washington, Yuma, and Kit Carson counties, stepped down effective April 30, 2025, after admitting to violating judicial conduct rules.

Haenlein, appointed in January 2022, had been suspended by the Colorado Supreme Court in November 2024 pending a disciplinary investigation. In a letter dated April 29, 2025, addressed to Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez, he announced his resignation, which his attorney, David M. Beller, argued should halt further disciplinary actions. Beller also raised concerns about the lack of clear rules in the disciplinary process, citing potential violations of Haenlein’s due process rights.

The allegations, detailed by the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline in an April 15 filing, centered on Haenlein’s undisclosed relationship with a former client, referred to as “Jane Doe.” Before becoming a judge, Haenlein represented Doe in criminal and child welfare cases, during which they allegedly exchanged flirtatious and sexual text messages. He also reportedly assisted Doe with living expenses. After his appointment, Haenlein withdrew as Doe’s attorney in a domestic relations case but allegedly used the Judicial Department’s case management system to provide legal advice, including explicit messages, related to her case.

In July 2022, Doe appeared before Haenlein as a defendant in a felony drug case. Haenlein disclosed their prior attorney-client relationship but did not mention their personal communications. He presided over the case for two years, making procedural rulings and sentencing Doe after her guilty plea, without recusal requests from either party. Additionally, Doe allegedly texted Haenlein about her boyfriend, a defendant in Haenlein’s court facing drug and assault charges. At Doe’s request, Haenlein released the boyfriend on a personal recognizance bond despite objections from the district attorney’s office, without disclosing his connection to Doe.

The judicial discipline commission deemed Haenlein’s decision to release the defendant inappropriate given the circumstances. Haenlein admitted to the misconduct allegations but clarified that his personal communications with Doe ended before he presided over her case and that their relationship was never physical. He also maintained that his rulings in both cases were routine and did not favor the defendants.

The disciplinary process faced scrutiny due to the recent adoption of constitutional Amendment H in November 2024, which aimed to increase transparency in judicial discipline but repealed existing rules. A rule-making committee is developing emergency procedures, leading to debates during an April 11, 2025, status conference—the first livestreamed judicial discipline hearing in Colorado—where the panel, including Weld County Judge Vincente G. Vigil, attorney Tyrone Glover, and non-lawyer Jeff Swanty, sought more public disclosure.

District Attorney Travis Sides noted that Haenlein’s rulings often sparked disagreements, but he did not view the cases in question as unusual. Sides emphasized the importance of public confidence in the justice system, which is undermined by judicial misconduct.

Haenlein suggested in his response to the allegations that the panel should either dismiss the case or issue a public censure.

 

 

Source: Colorado Politics