Judge Thomas Newman, Jr. in hot water

Judge Newman made the front page of the Herald Bulletin on July 28, 2006. The day before the Indiana Law Blog took note of Judge Newman's ethical problems and then updated that story on July 30.

I do not know enough to say anything about the meat of the charges but as a Democrat we got to ask ourselves what is going on. Judge Newman is up for re-election this Fall. He has no opposition. He had no opposition in the primary. He has been a judge since Carter or Ford was President. Shouldn't he have known to not let a man stay in prison for 14 months longer than the man was supposed to stay? See here for the actual complaint against Judge Newman.

I doubt that Judge Newman is removed as judge, but if he is what then? It is my understanding that the governor will have the power to put someone else in, and we can pretty much assume that will be a Republican. That person will be judge until the next time there is an election. I do not think there are any potential Democrat candidates if Newman gets kicked off the bench.

Perhaps with Ron McNabney as our new county chairman, he will make developing potential candidates a priority. Then, maybe, he can take a look at the mossbacks who have been holding office for ages. I would rate these as more important than banning smoking at the headquarters.