On Thursday, January 9, 2025, Banner Graphic reported that the Indiana Supreme Court reprimanded Putnam Superior Court Judge Charles “Denny” Bridges following findings of judicial misconduct. The reprimand stems from allegations brought forth by the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications, which concluded that Judge Bridges failed to perform his official duties impartially and competently, particularly in relation to gender bias.
The charges against Judge Bridges arose from a civil case filed in November 2021, in which a woman sought legal recourse against her former partner regarding their shared residence’s sale proceeds. Shortly after the case was initiated, the plaintiff requested a change of judge, which led to Judge Bridges being appointed as the special judge for the matter.
During a pretrial conference held on March 8, 2022, Judge Bridges reportedly made several statements that were interpreted as prejudicial and harassing towards the plaintiff. He expressed skepticism about the legal claims being pursued, questioning the validity of “sweat equity” in the context of the case. His remarks included comments that suggested a dismissive attitude toward the plaintiff’s position, which sparked concerns regarding his impartiality.
The Indiana Supreme Court’s opinion, issued on January 7, affirmed the findings of the judicial commission. Chief Justice Loretta Rush noted that Judge Bridges engaged in misconduct by ruling on motions without allowing sufficient time for opposing parties to respond and by making inappropriate remarks about women involved in unjust enrichment claims against former partners.
The commission identified three specific violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct: failing to perform judicial duties without bias (Rule 2.3(A)), prohibiting manifestations of bias or harassment in judicial conduct (Rule 2.3(B)), and the requirement for judges to execute their duties competently and diligently (Rule 2.5). Additionally, it was noted that Judge Bridges had previously received private cautions for similar violations in 2015 and 2019.
In December, the commission and Bridges’ attorney, James Voyles, reached an agreement that a reprimand was an appropriate sanction for the misconduct. The Supreme Court accepted this agreement, emphasizing that such a reprimand significantly tarnishes a judge’s reputation and can negatively impact public perception of their judicial performance.
Judge Bridges has been a member of the Indiana Bar since 2006 and is currently in the fifth year of his third six-year term as a judge, having been elected in 2008, 2014, and 2020.
Source: Banner Graphic
