The Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission cautioned a Pope County district judge Friday for giving a campaign contribution to a Republican candidate for the Arkansas House.
Judge Don Bourne in the 5th Judicial District of Arkansas gave $525 to Trevor Drown during his Republican primary campaign. Drown went on to win the primary and will face Democrat Tachany Evans in November for the District 68 state representative seat from the Russellville area.
According to the Letter of Informal Adjustment, an anonymous complaint was filed March 13 with the commission, citing Drown's campaign finance report filed March 11 with the Arkansas secretary of state's office. Bourne is listed on the document as contributing $525 one time to the campaign and as being employed by the state.
The commission's letter states that Bourne admitted to the contribution during the investigation and explained that recent rulings in higher courts that campaign donations were protected free speech contributed to his belief that the donation was allowed under the First Amendment.
The donation violated Canon 4, Rule 4.1, of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which states, "A judge or candidate for judicial office shall not engage in political or campaign activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity or impartiality of the judiciary."
The rule goes on to note a prohibition on soliciting funds, paying assessments, or making contributions to political organizations or candidates.
The commission also said the contribution violated the conduct code's requirement that judges obey the law and that they act in a way that promotes public confidence and impartiality at all times.
The caution included a warning that Bourne should refrain from making any political contributions during the rest of his time as a judge.
Metro on 09/20/2014