Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 06-52, re Aleman

In this case we review the determination by the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) that Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Judge Cheryl Aleman violated the Code of Judicial Conduct and its recommendation that Judge Aleman be publicly reprimanded and charged the costs of investigation and prosecution. For the reasons discussed below, we approve the JQC’s determination and recommendation.

I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

The charges stem from Judge Ale-man’s behavior in response to three motions to disqualify her made by Assistant Public Defenders Sandra Perlman and Bruce Raticoff on January 24,…