On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, WAFB 9News reported that Judge Eboni Johnson Rose had been removed from her position as a district judge in Louisiana’s 19th Judicial District. The Louisiana Supreme Court issued an order on Tuesday temporarily removing Judge Rose from the bench after concluding she “poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the public and the administration of justice.”
The Supreme Court appointed a special counsel to investigate allegations of misconduct against Judge Rose. The counsel has been instructed to complete their investigation and report back within six months. No specifics about the allegations that prompted the investigation were disclosed. However, Judge Rose had previously come under scrutiny for several controversies during her time on the bench. In some cases, higher courts overturned her rulings due to mistakes made in sentencing or procedures. There were also reports that she made inappropriate comments in court.
Some members of the Supreme Court expressed concerns about taxpayers having to cover Judge Rose’s salary during her involuntary suspension. Associate Justice Jay McCallum wrote that the judge’s alleged actions seemed serious enough to warrant an unpaid suspension. However, current laws do not allow for that option. McCallum suggested amending the state constitution and court rules to ensure suspended judges bear their own costs of any temporary replacements. Two other justices, Jeff Hughes and Piper Griffin, dissented with the decision to remove Judge Rose, arguing it was too extreme of a measure at this point before the investigation was complete.
Prior legal errors made by Judge Rose include improperly convicting a defendant of a misdemeanor charge for a crime that is actually a felony. In another case, the Supreme Court overturned her verdict for mishandling jury deliberations.
Legal experts said removal from the bench during an investigation is uncommon, suggesting the Supreme Court must have found evidence of serious misconduct. The special counsel will need to prove willful wrongdoing by Judge Rose in order to recommend her permanent removal.
The future of Judge Rose’s political career also remains uncertain. She is currently running for a position at the appellate court level. However, election experts note she can still appear on the ballot while under investigation, and potentially take office if elected, depending on the outcome of the Supreme Court’s review. With no resolution yet on the allegations against Judge Rose, some feel voters deserve answers before casting their votes in November.
Source: WAFB 9News
