Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance v. Harris

DICKINSON, Presiding Justice,

for the Court:

¶ 1. In this judicial-misconduct case, Chancellor D. Neil Harris abused his contempt powers, failed to recuse himself from contempt proceedings, and prevented those he charged with contempt from presenting any defense. This Court finds an appropriate sanction to be a public reprimand, a $2,500 fíne, and assessment of the costs of this proceeding in the amount of $200.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

¶ 2. The facts precipitating this judicial-performance complaint are not in dispute. In 2010, the Mississippi Department of Human Services enlisted a private…