In Re Van Rider

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

By failing to recuse himself from a criminal proceeding against his son, but instead using his authority as judge to order his son’s release from jail following his arrest, former Vigo County Court Judge Gary Van Rider violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. For that misconduct, we conclude that he should be publicly reprimanded.

Before us now for approval is a Statement of Circumstances and Conditional Agreement for Discipline submitted by the respondent, Van Rider, and the Disciplinary Commission in contemplated resolution of this disciplinary case. Our jurisdiction here is…