MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA, Ind. — A Madison County judge is facing disciplinary charges in connection with allegations involving staff supervision and inaction in criminal cases.
The charges filed by the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications alleges Judge Scott A. Norrick "demonstrated a recurring pattern of failing to adequately supervise court staff, as well as failing to properly take action in a number of criminal cases," according to a statement from an Indiana Supreme Court spokesperson.
The seven-member commission, which investigates allegations of ethical misconduct by judges, charged Norrick with four counts of misconduct. Three involve the alleged inadequate court staff supervision "relating to the process of case entries and orders," according to the statement. The fourth charge is that he allegedly "violated judicial canons by failing to properly take action in approximately 40 criminal cases."
The Indiana Supreme Court will have several options in handling the matter, including:
- Dismissing the charges
- Accepting or rejecting a disciplinary agreement between the commission and judge
- Appointing a panel of judges to conduct a public hearing
- Imposing a fine
- Imposing sanctions ranging from a reprimand to a suspension to a permanent ban on holding judicial office in the state