Judicial Conduct Commission v. Tessmann

Judicial Conduct Commission v. Tessmann, 2002 ND 15, 638 N.W.2d 883

[Go to Documents]Filed Jan. 22, 2002[Download as WordPerfect]IN THE SUPREME COURTSTATE OF NORTH DAKOTA2002 ND 15

In the Matter of the Application for Disciplinary Action Against Myron Tessmann, Judge of Burlington, North Dakota Municipal Court

Judicial Conduct Commission of the State of North Dakota, Petitioner
v.
The Honorable Myron Tessmann, Judge of the Municipal Court, Burlington, North Dakota, Respondent

No. 20020009

CENSURE ORDERED.

Per Curiam.

[¶1] This is a disciplinary proceeding against Myron Tessmann who was serving as a municipal court judge in Burlington, North Dakota, at the commencement of formal proceedings. Tessmann has since resigned his position.

[¶2] On January 8, 2002, under Rule 14, Rules of the Judicial Conduct Commission, a Hearing Panel of the Judicial Conduct Commission submitted an Agreement signed by Paul W. Jacobson, Disciplinary Counsel, and Tessmann, and an Affidavit of Consent signed by Tessmann.

[¶3] In the Affidavit, Tessmann admitted to presiding over municipal court while smelling of an alcoholic beverage on a number of occasions, including, on or about November 9, 1999, July 3, 2001, July 17, 2001, and September 25, 2001. Tessmann further admitted his conduct violated Canon 2, North Dakota Code of Judicial Conduct, which provides "A Judge Shall Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety in All of the Judge's Activities". Additionally, Tessmann agreed to a sanction of censure by the Supreme Court and the limitation of not serving in the future as a municipal judge. The Hearing Panel accepted the Agreement and Tessmann's Affidavit.

[¶4] Under R. Jud. Conduct Comm. 14(C), the respondent is required to sign an Affidavit indicating the respondent consents to the sanction, the consent is freely and voluntarily rendered, there is presently pending a proceeding involving allegations of misconduct, and the facts set forth in the affidavit are true. The Affidavit filed by Tessmann meets these requirements. Under R. Jud. Conduct Comm. 14(D), the Supreme Court must either reject the agreement or enter the order disciplining the respondent.

[¶5] ORDERED, the Agreement signed by Disciplinary Counsel and Myron Tessmann and the Affidavit of Tessmann are accepted; and

[¶6] IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, Myron Tessmann is censured for his violation of N.D. Code Jud. Conduct Canon 2, and is prohibited from serving as a municipal judge.

[¶7] Dated at Bismarck, North Dakota, January 16, 2002.

[¶8]Gerald W. VandeWalle, C.J.
Carol Ronning Kapsner
Mary Muehlen Maring
William A. Neumann
Dale V. Sandstrom