Knoxville Municipal Judge Violates Code Of Judicial Conduct With Courtroom Press Conference

Image Credit: judgerosson.com

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

Knoxville Municipal Judge John Rosson violated a Tennessee Code of Judicial Conduct rule when he held a press conference related to his November reelection campaign in a municipal courtroom on October 11.

According to the Code of Judicial Conduct, current judges and candidates are not allowed to use court facilities, staff, or other resources for campaigning.

Additionally, the Knoxville city Code of Ordinances states that city officials are prohibited from using municipal equipment, facilities, supplies, or time for personal gain.

Rosson’s campaign media volunteer, Mona Nair, attempted to justify the violation to Knox News, stating that the press conference took place in the courtroom because they wanted to showcase improvements that Rosson had made to the room.

However, Rosson also received endorsements from former judge candidates Mary Ward and Andrew Beamer during the press conference.

“We don’t believe that there’s going to be any consequences…because (hosting the press conference there) was relevant to the campaign,” Nair stated. “Giving a tour of the courtroom to the media was part of the story.”

In the state judicial code, there is no mention of exceptions for the violation.

Tyler Caviness, who is running against Rosson in the general election, brought the issue to light.

“That is a rule that I am aware of. I think we have an obligation to educate ourselves on the rules and regulations of the office we are in or seeking. It does concern me, when it’s a clear reading of the rule,” said Caviness.

Caviness told Knox News that he does not plan to file an official complaint against Rosson.

The Board of Judicial Conduct’s website states that anyone can file a complaint against the judge for potentially violating the code. The complaint would then be reviewed by a disciplinary counsel and then referred to a three-member panel to make the determination as to whether a full investigation should be launched.

Following an investigation, the case could be dismissed, a reprimand could be issued, a deferred discipline agreement could be issued, another agency could take over the case, or public charges could be filed against the judge.

Any issues brought before the Board of Judicial Conduct are private unless formal charges are filed.

Rosson claims he was not aware of the rule, although he has been municipal judge for 36 years.

“First of all I wanted to apologize,” said Rosson. “I haven’t had to run a campaign in the last 20 years and it’s just not something I was thinking about. And I’m sorry I should have done more research. I did try to check into it, that’s the only person I knew who to call, the Board of Judicial Conduct but I couldn’t get a response from them and I was under some pressure to get this out of the way. I apologize.”