IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT AND ETHICS' FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE HONORABLE JOHN V. CROW, CIRCUIT JUDGE, SUBLETTE COUNTY, NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT, PINEDALE WYOMING.

IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT AND ETHICS' FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE HONORABLE JOHN V. CROW, CIRCUIT JUDGE, SUBLETTE COUNTY, NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT, PINEDALE WYOMING.
2007 WY 13
151 P.3d 270
Case Number: J-06-0001
Decided: 01/25/2007

October Term, A.D. 2006

IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT AND ETHICS' FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE HONORABLE JOHN V. CROW, CIRCUIT JUDGE, SUBLETTE COUNTY, NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT, PINEDALE WYOMING.

This matter came before the Court upon the "Commission's Findings and Recommendations," filed herein December 4, 2006, by the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics of the State of Wyoming.  In its Recommendation, the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics recommends that the Honorable John V. Crow, Circuit Judge (now retired) be publicly censured for his conduct.  Pursuant to Rule 24(a) (now 27(a)) of the Rules Governing the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics,

*****A petition to the Wyoming Supreme Court to modify or reject the recommendation of the commission for censure, removal or retirement, may be filed within 30 days after the filing with the clerk of the Wyoming Supreme Court of a certified copy of the recommendation.*****  

This Court notes that Judge Crow has not filed a petition within the time allotted.  Pursuant to Rule 24(b) (now 27(b)),

*****Failure to file a petition within the time provided may be deemed a consent to a determination on the merits based upon the record filed by the commission.

Because Judge Crow has not filed the petition contemplated by Rule 24(a), this Court finds that he has consented to a determination on the merits based upon the record filed by the commission. 

            Now, this Court, after a careful review of the "Commission's Findings and Recommendations," the materials attached thereto, and the file, finds that the "Commission's Findings and Recommendations" should be approved, confirmed and adopted by the Court; and that the Honorable John V. Crow, Circuit Judge (now retired) should be publicly censured for the conduct described in the "Commission's Findings and Recommendations."  It is, therefore,

ADJUDGED AND ORDERED that the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics' "Commission's Findings and Recommendations," a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein, shall be, and the same hereby is, approved, confirmed, and adopted by this Court; and it is further

ADJUDGED AND ORDERED that the Honorable John V. Crow, Circuit Judge (now retired) shall receive a public censure for his conduct detailed in the "Commission's Findings and Recommendations;" and it is further

ORDERED that the Honorable John V. Crow, Circuit Judge (now retired) shall be, and hereby is, assessed Disciplinary Counsel's costs and fees in the amount of $11,937.17, payable to the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics; and it is further

ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court shall docket this Order of Public Censure, along with the incorporated "Commission's Findings and Recommendations," as a matter coming regularly before this Court as a public record; and it is further

ORDERED that this Order of Public Censure, along with the incorporated "Commission's Findings and Recommendations," shall be published in the Wyoming Reporter and the Pacific Reporter; and it is further

ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court cause a copy of the Order of Public Censure to be served upon the Honorable John V. Crow, Circuit Judge (now retired); and it is further

ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court transmit a copy of this Order of Public Censure to members of the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics of the State of Wyoming.

DATED this ______ day of January, 2007.

                                                                        BY THE COURT:

                                                                        BARTON R. VOIGT

                                                                        Chief Justice