On Thursday, December 1, 2022, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications filed misconduct charges against Gibson Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey F. Meade before the Indiana Supreme Court. The case is entitled “In the matter of Hon. Jeffrey F. Mead” with case no. 22S-JD-390.
The charges cited the Code of Judicial Conduct 1.2, 2.8(b), 2.2, 2.5, 1.1, 2.6, 2.9(a) which require:
Judges to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.
Judges to be patient, dignified, and courteous to litigants and lawyers.
Judges to uphold and apply the law and shall perform all duties of judicial office fairly and impartially.
Judges to perform judicial and administrative duties competently, diligently, and promptly; and constituted conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Judges to comply with the law.
Judges to accord to every person who has a legal interest in a proceeding, or that person’s lawyer, the right to be heard according to law, and constituted conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Forbids judges from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications, or consider other communications made to the judge outside the presence of the parties or their lawyers, concerning a pending or impending matter subject to certain exceptions; and constituted conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
The Code of Judicial Conduct can be found here.
Allegedly, the respondent, while handling a Juvenile paternity case exhibited impatient, undignified, and discourteous behavior with the father during a cross-examination.
The filing states:
“During Father’s cross-examination, Respondent interrupted the cro8s-examination at various times, making statements that included but are not limited to:
- Telling Father to “be quiet,” “zip it,” to “shut [his] mouth,” and to “shut up,” even after Father apologized and indicated that he understood.
- “And then what you don’t have is, see, you don’t have the child being passed off like a football. Oh, I’ll pick – Let me run for ten yards with it because I don’t want that child to go over ten extra yards, and then the handoff”
- “This is just bullshit. I’m sorry, I’m a farm boy. I was raised I’m older than you. I was scooping hog shit long before you, man. I’m going to tell you what, this is cran Ir stinks This kind of behavior stinks Okay?”
The filing continues:
“At a hearing on May 25, 2021, Respondent also exhibited impatience, made undignified comments, and engaged in discourteous behavior which included, but is not limited to:
- Referring to Father as “Bud,” “Buddy,” “Bro,” and “Man.”
- “Now, I’m not playing with this. Okay? This is the 10th freaking day of this hearing. Okay? And again, I’m not prejudging anything. I’m going to hear this case out and we’ll let the attorneys do their findings. Okay? But I’m going to tell you what, you best be calling daddy up to get some money coming. I’m telling you that right now because you have intentionally interfered with this woman’s parenting time. Okay? And it’s going to cost you a bundle. Okay?”
This is one of the most egregious, okay, egregious interference of parenting time that I’ve ever seen. Okay? You do not follow my order again you bring your toothbrush, you’re going to be over there for days and weeks and months Is this crystal for you, man?”
In light of the allegations, the Commission asks that, after the respondent submits his answer, the Indiana Supreme Court appoint three Masters to hold a public hearing regarding the charges against the respondent. Additionally, the Commission requests that the Supreme Court determine that the respondent indeed engaged in misconduct and impose a suitable sanction.
Judge Jeffrey F. Meade is a circuit court judge for Gibson County, Indiana, serving since 2007. He earned a law degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. His courtroom is located at 101 N. Main St., Princeton, IN 47670, and can be reached at 812-385-4885. His bio can be found on Linkedin.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
