Douglas County judge reprimanded for rude comments
Posted: Sunday, August 14, 2005
OMAHA (AP) -- The Nebraska Commission on Judicial Qualifications has publicly reprimanded Douglas County Judge John Huber for snide comments he made from the bench.
The commission said in one case, Huber made a litigant cry and, after the case was resolved, told her, "Stop it. Grow up. That doesn't make me feel bad for you in any way."
Huber also was accused of expressing doubt that a witness would tell the truth.
Huber's remarks came during a May 2004 civil trial in which a real estate company sought to evict two tenants from an apartment.
The reprimand said: "Judge Huber expressed impatience and displayed snideness in his tone of voice to witnesses and parties . . . all of whom remained courteous to the court."
Huber was found to have violated the Nebraska Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires a judge to "be patient, dignified and courteous."
Huber, a judge since 1998, has taken steps to correct his conduct, the commission noted.
The commission said in one case, Huber made a litigant cry and, after the case was resolved, told her, "Stop it. Grow up. That doesn't make me feel bad for you in any way."
Huber also was accused of expressing doubt that a witness would tell the truth.
Huber's remarks came during a May 2004 civil trial in which a real estate company sought to evict two tenants from an apartment.
The reprimand said: "Judge Huber expressed impatience and displayed snideness in his tone of voice to witnesses and parties . . . all of whom remained courteous to the court."
Huber was found to have violated the Nebraska Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires a judge to "be patient, dignified and courteous."
Huber, a judge since 1998, has taken steps to correct his conduct, the commission noted.
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