Matter of Hamel

OPINION OF THE COURT

Following an investigation and hearing, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct has determined that petitioner should be removed from the office of Justice of the Champlain Town Court in Clinton County. The disciplinary charges against him arose principally out of two incidents in which petitioner improperly jailed individuals for their purported failure to pay fines and restitution obligations that he had imposed. Because petitioner’s conduct in connection with these two incidents reflects a complete disregard for both his administrative duties and the most elementary…