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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Two former judges who were ousted by voters last year were censured by the Utah Supreme Court, according to an annual report from the state's Judicial Conduct Commission.
Former Judge Leslie Lewis of the 3rd District received a reprimand and an even harsher censure this year from the Utah Supreme Court for two separate cases.
One involved an anti-hunting diatribe Lewis made from the bench during a poaching hearing, which was widely viewed on the Internet. The censure was for reducing a child sex-offender's prison sentence without giving prosecutors, the defense counsel or victims an opportunity to discuss it.
The Utah Court of Appeals is still reviewing the sentence reduction.
Former Grand County Justice Judge Paul Cox was also censured for failing to complete required continuing education courses and submitting forms claiming he had.
Lewis and Cox, who were both ousted last November, were the only judges who received public sanctions, according to the annual report.
The JCC investigates complaints and recommends sanctions, including reprimand, censure, suspension and removal.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
