Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 13-25 Re: Andrew J. Decker, III – Corrected Opinion

Summary

The Court largely upheld the JQC's findings that Judge Decker committed multiple ethical violations before and during his judicial campaign, while rejecting several violations arising from his communications with a party who stated that he was no longer represented by counsel. The Court increased the recommended discipline from a ninety-day suspension to a six-month suspension, together with a public reprimand and costs, because the violations demonstrated a cumulative pattern of poor ethical judgment but not present unfitness requiring removal.