In Re Inquiry Concerning a Judge, Royster

ORDER OF CENSURE

On 2 November 2006, the Judicial Standards Commission (Commission) recommended that the Supreme Court censure respondent for participating in an ex parte conference with a defendant’s attorney and entering an order as a result thereof, without notice to the plaintiff and without taking evidence.

On 17 May 2006, the Commission’s counsel filed a complaint alleging that respondent “engaged in conduct inappropriate to his judicial office.” In particular, it alleged that on 13 July 2005, respond ent participated in an ex parte conference with an attorney representing a defendant in…