Judicial Commission Charges Judge After OWI Conviction

The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications filed judicial disciplinary charges today against the Honorable John F. Hanley, Judge in the Marion Superior Court.

The Commission's attorney, Meg Babcock, announced that the charges allege Judge Hanley violated judicial ethics when he operated a vehicle while intoxicated. Judge Hanley was arrested on December 4, 2006 in Marion County and pled guilty to a Class A Misdemeanor on January 26, 2007. He is serving one year on probation and a 90-day suspension of his driver's license.

The Commission's charges state that Judge Hanley violated rules for judges which hold them to high standards of conduct and require them to preserve the integrity of the judiciary, to respect and comply with the law, and to act at all times in a manner which promotes the public's confidence in the integrity of the judiciary.

Judge Hanley may file an answer to the charges within 20 days. The Supreme Court then will appoint a panel of three judges to preside over an evidentiary hearing and report their findings to the Supreme Court unless the Commission and Judge Hanley submit an agreement for discipline to the Court.