A. The meeting convened at 4:00 p.m. Members present included Judge Donald Jorgensen, Chair; Judge Ronald Goodman; Justice Carol Ronning Kapsner; Judge Zane Anderson; Judge Bill Severin; Shawn Peterson; Candace Zierdt; Peggy Larson; and Carla Kolling, Staff. (Members absent: Judge John Irby).
B. Minutes of the November 18, 2002, meeting were approved as drafted.
A. Chair Jorgensen informed the members that the Strategic Plan for Judicial Education was resubmitted to the Supreme Court through the State Court Administrator for consideration.
B. The members reviewed Judge J.E. Widdel's request to attend the Criminal Evidence Course at the National Judicial College in lieu of his attendance at the annual Municipal Judges Seminar. A motion was made by Justice Kapsner, seconded by Judge Goodman, to approve his request since his request complies with the guidelines set forth in AR 36, mandatory education rule. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Chair Jorgensen informed the members that three municipal judges went through the alternative municipal judges program and have successfully completed their requirements.
D. Carla Kolling informed the members that three judges have not completed their education requirement for 2002. Judges Jim Lund, Lorraine Stiles and Gary Lee. She explained that Judge Stiles has requested that she be permitted to have until June 1 to complete her requirements. She informed that Judge Stiles was unable to participate in the 2002 program due to the death of her spouse. Carla informed the members that she notified Judges Lund and Lee of the alternative program and neither of them have responded to her inquiries. A motion was made by Judge Anderson, seconded by Justice Kapsner to extend Judge Stiles reporting deadline to June 15. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Judge Goodman, seconded by Peggy Larson, that a letter be written to Judge Lund notifying him that he has until June 15 to explain the reasons for his noncompliance with the 2002 education requirement, and if no response is received from him that his name be submitted to the Judicial Conduct Commission. The motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Judge Goodman, seconded by Peggy Larson, to write a letter to Judge Lee granting him until July 7th to explain his reasons for noncompliance. The motion passed unanimously.
E. Chair Jorgensen updated the members on the status of the Judicial Conduct Commission's investigation of the municipal judges who failed to comply with the 2001 mandatory education rule. He stated that Paul Jacobson informed him that the judges have satisfied their requirements. Members requested that Mr. Jacobson be contacted and provide information as to what action was taken by the Commission and the judges to constitute the fulfillment of their education rule. Justice Kapsner explained that only the Commission members can determine whether the judges have satisfied their education requirements not the Judicial Conduct Commission. Judge Jorgensen informed the members that he will be contacting Mr. Jacobson and request that the findings of the Commission be provided to the Education Commission in writing.
A. Bench and Bar
Chair Jorgensen informed members that it is the Judiciary's turn to plan the fall Bench and Bar program. He informed members that a conference call will be scheduled for early July to discuss topics. Christine Hogan and Judge McLees will be invited to participate.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carla Kolling
Director of Human Resources and Development