Ugh . . . Judge Halverson a National Story (again)

CNN is apparently having a slow news day or they are just really really late in discovering the joke that is Judge Halverson. Halverson's attorney, John Arrascada of Arrascada & Arrascada, did his best tap dancing routine for the media, actually claiming the only reason people are trying to take down Judge Halverson is that she's a whale.

CNN reports:

"We believe the Judicial Discipline Commission has overreached," said her attorney, John Arrascada. "It's apparent that some people believe her physical appearance somehow makes her unable to perform her duties as a judge." He added, "Last time I checked, being a judge doesn't require a beauty contest."

CNN even got UNLV law professor Jeffrey Stempel to hand out a quote in defense of Halverson. Stempel said he is troubled by what appears to be an attempt to "micromanage" a judge and that judicial removal should generally be reserved for corruption, "complete incompetence or inability to do the job."

Personally, I find Judge Halverson's appearance to be ridiculous and an embarrassment to the legal profession [and therefore comedy gold]. But I'm just a superficial blog writer.

Luckily the Nevada Judicial Disciplinary Commission requires a little more substance to recommend suspension. The Complaint they filed against Halverson details fourteen (14) counts of egregious, incompetent and offensive behavior, including:

• falling asleep on the job during a criminal trial [inability to do job];


• inappropriately talking to jurors [incompetence];


• trying to hack into the email of other courthouse employees to spy on them [just plain nuts];


• creating a hostile work environment for her clerks and bailiff (sexual harassment, ethic comments, foot rubs, insults, etc.) [incompetence at best and potential liability for the state for unlawful actions of a state official];


• hiring her own bodyguards [just plain crazy];


• insulting lawyers for not contributing to her campaign fund [ahem, corruption]

C'mon, Arrascada! I know you have a job to do, but saying Judge Halverson was removed for not being pretty is like saying Judge Del Vecchio is in trouble for dating a woman.