Top state court temporarily suspends municipal judge without pay, orders her not to practice law
A municipal judge in Cleveland has been temporarily suspended from her job without pay and ordered not to practice law until her legal ethics case is resolved.
In a Thursday order (PDF), the Ohio Supreme Court also said Judge Angela Stokes must undergo a psychiatric exam and said her case should proceed expeditiously.
The Associated Press, the Northeast Ohio Media Group and WOIO have stories. They do not include any comment from Stokes, who has been on the bench since 1995. She has previously said in court filings that she did nothing wrong.
In a 335-page motion (PDF) filed last month, the office of disciplinary counsel said Stokes is very slow in resolving cases and has repeatedly treated lawyers, parties and others inappropriately.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Disciplinary counsel calls for mental exam of sitting municipal judge”
ABAJournal.com: “Disciplinary counsel seeks judge’s suspension, says morning cases are often called in midafternoon”
Northeast Ohio Media Group: “Judge Angela Stokes says calls for her suspension are unsupported”
