PUTNAM COUNTY, Ind. — An Indiana judge is facing disciplinary charges, including two counts of misconduct.
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications charged Putnam County Superior Court Judge Charles Bridges with two counts of misconduct. The commission alleges the judge "demonstrated an inability to perform judicial and administrative duties competently, diligently, promptly, and without bias or prejudice."
One of the counts alleges Bridges violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires a judge "to act without bias or prejudice and to refrain from harassment based upon gender." The other count against Bridges alleges he ruled on motions before allowing the opposing party a chance to respond before the deadlines and also failing to rule on other motions.
The Supreme Court will determine what, if any, judicial misconduct occurred. That could include dismissing charges, accepting or rejecting a disciplinary agreement between Bridges and the commission, conduct a public hearing with a panel of judges and imposing a fine or sanctions. Those sanctions could range from a suspension to a permanent ban on holding judicial office in Indiana.
Bridges has 20 days to file a response to the charges, but is not required to do so.