West Virginia Judicial Inquiry Commission v. Dostert

Harshbarger, Justice:

Circuit Judge Pierre E. Dostert asks us to review a recommendation by the West Virginia Judicial Review Board that he be publicly censured, suspended without pay for six months, and required to pay the costs of these disciplinary proceedings, for violating our Judicial Code of Ethics.

The West Virginia Judicial Inquiry Commission filed a complaint against Judge Dostert for breaching Canons 2A and 3A of the Code. After a hearing, the review board made its recommendation, objected to by Judge Dostert because the evidence did not support the findings of fact or conclusions,…