The Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday that Judge Dennis Cummings' actions constituted an ethical violation. The Judicial Conduct Commission last November recommended that Cummings be suspended or removed from the bench for passing a note to a witness during a trial.
The court orders that Cummings be suspended for three months. Before returning to the bench, he also will have to get additional training at his own expense. At a minimum, the training must cover the Code of Judicial Conduct.
The incident occurred in March 2008 when Cummings was presiding over a criminal jury trial.
It's improper for a judge to have contact with only one side in a court case.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.