On Monday, June 12, 2023, the Director of the Judicial Qualifications Commission of Georgia filed its response in opposition to Middle Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Robert Reeves’s motion seeking the dismissal of nearly every count of the formal charges filed accusing the latter of judicial misconduct.
The case is styled “In re: Inquiry concerning Judge Robert Reeves,” and was brought by the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) under case nos. 2022-075, 2022-456.
Reeves, in a Formal Charge containing 58 counts of misconduct, filed by JQC on November 16, 2022, alleging the latter of having made derogatory remarks in the courtroom against members and non-members of the Bar, committed sexual harassment, and inappropriately used his title as a judge.
On May 15, 2023, Judge Reeves filed a Motion to Dismiss or in the alternative, a Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, requesting the Court to dismiss “habitual intemperance” as authority for discipline in this matter, and dismiss “willful misconduct in office” as authority for charges that allege clearly nonjudicial conduct, both for JQC’s failure to state claims.
The Director’s motion asserted that Reeves’ argument that the sections of Georgia’s Civil Practice Act (CPA) referenced in the Respondent’s motion for pre-hearing relief are not applicable or controlling in JQC proceedings and that the JQC Rules take precedence over the civil rules of evidence and procedures.
The Director opposed Reeves’ motion stating that all the allegations in the Formal Charges containing 58 counts of misconduct when taken as true, constitute violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct and warrant the imposition of discipline upon Reeves, pursuant to Ga. Const.Art. VI, § VII,¶ VII (a).
Accordingly, the Director concluded that Judge Reeves’ motion should be dismissed.
Judge Robert Reeves earned a law degree from Emory University School of Law, graduating in 1969. He is the Chief Judge for the Middle Judicial Circuit Superior Court in Georgia. His courtroom is located at 1347 Swainsboro, GA 30401, and can be contacted at +1 (478) 237-6191. Reeves’ online bio can be found on LinkedIn.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
