The Austin Court of Appeals has dismissed a former Nueces County district judge’s appeal from an order of a special court of review affirming the State Commission on Judicial Conduct’s decision to sanction the judge.
In re Inquiry Concerning Honorable Guy Williams (No. 03-24-00120-CV; March 28, 2024) arose from a Judicial Conduct Commission investigation and subsequent reprimand of Judge Williams. Pursuant to § 33.034, Government Code, a judge sanctioned by the Commission is entitled to de novo review by a special court of review appointed by the Chief Justice of SCOTX. This court is composed of three court of appeals justices, and its orders are not appealable. The judge argued that the special court lacked jurisdiction because two of its members did not properly execute their oaths of office. The court of appeals rejected this argument, holding that it lacked jurisdiction both under § 33.034 and § 22.220, Government Code, which limits the jurisdiction of intermediate appellate courts to appeals of judgments by district or county courts within their district boundaries.
The special court of review’s decision means that Judge Williams, who did not stand for re-election when his term ended in 2018, will not be eligible to serve as a visiting judge.
