Marion County judge charged for misconduct

Disciplinary charges were filed against a Marion County judge Monday.

The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications alleges 45 counts of misconduct against Marion Superior Court Judge Kimberly Brown, including that her conduct led to defendants being incarcerated beyond their release dates, according to a press release.

Judge Brown may file a formal response to the charges within 20 days of the notification that she is facing judicial misconduct charges.

The Commission alleges, “defendants suffered detrimental consequences due to the judge’s failure to rule on motions in a timely fashion,” within the period between January 2009 and July 2013, according to the release.

She allegedly fired a staff member who she believed complained about her.
Judge Brown is also accused of continuing bench trials for extended periods of time if she did not think they could be finished by 4 p.m, according to the
release.

Other allegations include that she failed to complete necessary paperwork, failed to train and supervise court staff and delayed in the release of incarceration of at least nine defendants, according to the release.

The judge’s case will be heard by the Indiana Supreme Court.

— Matt Stefanski