Name: Evan E. Sperline
Title: Judge
Court: Grant County Superior Court
County: Grant
Discipline: Admonishment
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 03/10/2004
Canons Violated:1, 2(A), 3(A)(7)
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that Grant County Superior Court Judge Evan E. Sperline violated Canons 1, 2(A) and 3(A)(7) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by advising counsel in one matter of potential arguments to make for a motion to reconsider an appellate court decision which reversed one of Judge Sperline's trial court decisions, thus appearing to advocate on behalf of or to assist one party and thereby creating an appearance of partiality, bias or prejudice; and, in two other matters, by writing letters to the court of appeals expressing his disagreement and frustration with that court's reversal of his trial court decisions in those matters, thus evidencing a personal involvement in those cases that might lead a reasonable observer to question his ability (or apparent ability) to be objective, neutral and detached when presiding over those cases on remand. The Commission admonished the judge.
Case Documents Available:
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonshment filed 3/10/2004.