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Strickland v. Judicial Inquiry Commission
Citations: 388 So. 2d 1202; 1980 Ala. LEXIS 3090Docket: 79-161
Court: Supreme Court of Alabama; August 8, 1980; Alabama; State Supreme Court
Judge James T. Strickland was found to have knowingly submitted false travel expense claims while serving as a circuit judge in Alabama, claiming reimbursement for mileage for travel made by government vehicle instead of private vehicle. The specific instances of misconduct included expense vouchers for meetings in Guntersville, Huntsville, Prattville, and Dothan, totaling $322.80 in improper claims. The Court of the Judiciary determined that Strickland violated multiple canons of the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics, including failing to uphold high standards of conduct, avoiding impropriety, respecting the law, promoting public confidence in the judiciary, and avoiding conduct that discredits the judicial office. As a consequence, he was suspended from his judicial position for six months without pay. On appeal, Strickland raised several issues, including alleged errors in the denial of motions to dismiss, motions for judgment on the pleadings, and challenges to the admissibility of evidence. The Supreme Court of Alabama reviewed the record and found no errors in the Judiciary Court's judgment, affirming the suspension.