Meeting Minutes 01/24/2020

Mr. Pope Langdale
Mr. James Balli
Mr. Bob Barr
Mr. Dane Kirby

Joined the meeting
via conference call:
Judge Stacey Hydrick
Mr. Warren Selby

Mr. Chuck Boring- Director
Mr. Will Lasker – Staff Attorney
Ms. Phyllis Motes – Case Manager
Lance Alford – Investigator
Justice Michael Boggs
Judge Robert McBurney

Chairman Langdale called the meeting to order and determined that a quorum was present.

Upon motion and second, the Minutes of the December 6, 2019 Open Meeting were approved.

Chairman Langdale began the meeting by welcoming everyone and introduced the newest member, Mr. Kirby. Chairman Langdale explained that Mr. Kirby was appointed to fill the recent vacancy.

Chairman Langdale reported that he and Mr. Boring attended the Superior Court Judicial Conference on January 23 in Athens, Georgia. Attendance at the conference provided the Director an opportunity to introduce himself to the judges and to answer their questions.
The Chairman then turned the meeting over to Mr. Boring.

Mr. Boring began by welcoming Justice Boggs and Judge McBurney. Justice Boggs and Judge McBumey greeted everyone, and they congratulated Mr. Kirby on his recent appointment to the Investigative Panel. Mr. Boring briefly explained the appointment and confirmation process of new members. He also reported that all member appointments were made and confirmed prior to the 2020 deadline.

Justice Boggs swore in Mr. Kirby and wished him well in his new role.

Judge McBurney spoke briefly to the Investigative Panel on behalf of the Hearing Panel. He stated that the Hearing Panel would like to attend an Open Meeting -potentially the March meeting -to discuss protocol and procedures used in the preparation of Formal Charges against judges. Judge McBurney also stated that the Hearing Panel feels that it would be beneficial for both Panels to meet at least twice a year. The Panel agreed that meeting with the Hearing Panel would be beneficial.

Mr. Boring stated that he is continuing to research retention policies used in other states, and will use his findings to refine the Retention Policy. Mr. Boring hopes to have a finalized version at the February meeting.

Chairman Langdale suggested that the Director may want to reconsider keeping all records for perpetuity.
Mr. Boring then discussed the source of the formal advisory opinion that was brought before the Panel a few months ago. It was requested by a judge.

Mr. Boring then discussed the informational video which was recently made for the Judicial Qualifications Commission website. The video was shown to the Panel for their feedback.

Discussion followed among the Panel after the viewing. The Panel decided that the video would be a helpful addition to the Judicial Qualifications Commission’s website.

Mr. Boring then suggested that Panel members review Rule 29 prior to the February meeting as election season is around the comer. Mr. Boring also reminded the Panel that Rule 29 requires a special committee for election campaign intervention. Judge Colvin, Mr. Barr and Mr. Selby will serve on the committee.

Discussion followed among the Panel regarding the number of election complaints received last year and how they were handled. Mr. Boring added that he has spoken with Ethics Committee Chair regarding their co-existing rules regarding election campaigns.

Mr. Boring then directed the Investigative Panel’s attention to the recently updated internal contact list and the financial report.

There being no old or new business for discussion, the Open Meeting was adjourned.

These minutes were approved by the Judicial Qualifications Commission on February 21, 2020.