In re Haley

This appeal is from the recommendation of the Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC) that we publicly censure respondent 86th District Court Judge Michael J. Haley. After having the benefit of full briefing and oral argument of counsel, I agree with the JTC’s recommendation to publicly censure Judge Haley. However, my reasons are different from those of the majority and the JTC.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

On October 14, 2003, after Judge Haley accepted a defendant’s guilty plea, the defendant’s attorney, Richard L. Benedict, asked permission of the judge to approach the bench. When Judge Haley granted the…