Name: Adalia Hille
Title: Judge
Court: Ritzville District Court
County: Adams
Discipline: Admonishment
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 12/03/2010
Canons Violated:1, 2(A), 3(A)(1), 3(A)(4)
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission found that Adams County District Court Judge Adalia Hille violated Canons 1, 2(A), 3(A)(1) and 3(A)(4) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by engaging in a regular practice of conducting mitigation hearings on civil infractions by automatically reducing the fine proposed, rather than conducting hearings as required by law. By omitting any opportunity for a person with an infraction to explain the mitigating circumstances to the court, Respondent's practice was at odds with clear and established law and denied those individuals who requested mitigation hearings their right to be heard according to the law. Although the court's practice may have benefitted some people as well as the court in terms of convenience, judges may not disregard the law for the sake of expediency. The Commission admonished Judge Hille and ordered her to promptly read and familiarize herself with the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Case Documents Available:
Certificate of Completion and Order filed 2/11/2011.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 12/3/2010.