Judge Who Removed Lawyer From Docket Is Immune

A state trial judge is immune from liability in a lawsuit filed by a former public defender who alleged that his constitutional rights were violated when the judge got him fired by wrongfully removing him from all of the judge’s cases, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled June 3 (Bright v. Gallia Cnty., 2014 BL 154166, 6th Cir., No. 13-3907).

The ruling overturned a judgment that the judge’s actions fell within the exception to absolute judicial immunity for actions taken by judges who lack jurisdiction. Although jurisdiction to discipline attorneys resides with the state ...