Ethics
Magistrate judge resigns while under ethics investigation
A Georgia magistrate judge who resigned last week had been under investigation for allegedly engaging in “extrajudicial activity” with litigants at a rental home that he owns. (Image from Shutterstock)
A Georgia magistrate judge who resigned last week had been under investigation for allegedly engaging in “extrajudicial activity” with litigants at a rental home that he owns.
The resignation of Judge Bryan Selph, the chief judge of the Telfair County Magistrate Court in Georgia, is part of a deal to resolve the ethics allegations against him, which also concerned ex parte communications, according to a story by Law360.
While serving as chief judge, Selph allegedly invited parties with pending cases before the court to a rental home that he owned where he engaged in “extrajudicial activity” in violation of judicial conduct rules.
The rules require that judges “act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary” and refrain from conduct that “detracts from the dignity of judicial office,” according to the story.
The judge was also investigated for allegedly discussing pending matters with two litigants outside the courtroom, violating prohibitions against ex parte communications, according to the report.
Selph, a Democrat, was elected to the court in 2012 and reelected in 2016, according to Ballotpedia.
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