Prescott (3TV/CBS 5) – Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Sele Hancock was charged with extreme DUI and off the bench.of Arizona Supreme Court Reassigned over 200 cases. The Arizona Family Investigation Service appeared in family court and interviewed more than 20 people who accused her of impropriety.
In our judicial system, judges have great powers. Family courts decide whether parents can live with their children or even see them. Former US prosecutor and career prosecutor Paul Charlton said, “Judges must be people we trust and trust.”
Hancock has been a judge in Yavapai County since 2010. After stopping Mr Hancock, a Prescott police officer said, “There have been reports that you were in Safeway, staggered, and then returned to your vehicle.”
Prescott Police launched a crackdown in March. Arizona family investigators obtained body camera footage of the stop and subsequent interrogation at the police station. “Did you drink today?” the officer asked. “No,” Hancock replied. “Aren’t you drinking today?” he asked again. “Oh no,” she explained.
Five minutes later, Hancock changed his subject and admitted to drinking. “A few hours ago,” said Hancock. “How much did you drink?” the officer asked. “A few glasses of wine,” she replied.
She failed an on-site sobriety test and told the police who she was. “I just feel bad. I just told him I’m the judge here,” Hancock said. “I’m just a human being like everyone else,” she continued.
next sobriety test, she again refers to her authoritative position. “Do you know that I am the judge here?” said Hancock. “I don’t want to use that. I don’t want to use that stuff. Really not,” she explained.
She was charged with extreme DUI. Her blood alcohol level that Sunday afternoon was 0.219. “This is our biggest chance to get right,” said Marie County paralegal. She didn’t want to use her last name. Shortly thereafter, more than 20 people gathered, all of whom had appeared before Judge Hancock in Family Court. Her mother, April Hill, said: “I feel like people are finally getting their voices heard.”
they shared stories.Some have even filed complaints Arizona Judicial Conduct Commission. The Arizona Family Commission sought to verify that. However, the names of the parties involved, including judges, are redacted unless the committee chooses to act. Her father, Joseph Hopkins, said, “Her demeanor during her case and her emotional demeanor alone were disrespectful to my attorney.”
“Such retaliation and fear of retaliation should not exist in the justice system,” said her mother, Karma Lindsay. “If she doesn’t like what you say, she’ll let you know,” said her mother, Amber Hildebrand.
The Arizona Family Investigation has played out hours of court hearings over the past few years. “It’s too late. You’re going to be grumpy,” said Judge Hancock in one remark. In another, she told her father, “Just go down the gutter with coordinators and drug addicts who sell food stamps and diapers because that’s the level you’ve reached.” In another story, she gets personal. “I’m divorced. I have a little girl who’s almost 11. She often rides in my car and wants to talk about her father. She just changes the subject.” she said.
This seems similar to the behavior that got her into trouble in the past. In 2016, the commission reprimanded Ms. Hancock for holding hearings without notifying her parents. According to her recording, she told her parents, “I don’t care about you guys.” The committee found Judge Hancock to be “impatient, undignified, and rude.”
The Arizona Family Survey asked Mr. Charlton how he defined being patient and polite. “There are common sense definitions for all of these things,” Charlton says.
Of the hundreds of complaints, only a handful of judges are disciplined each year, according to Arizona Judicial Conduct Commission records. It’s been about 10 years since we recommended dismissing or suspending judges.
As for Judge Hancock, the Arizona Supreme Court has ordered the Arizona Judicial Conduct Commission to investigate the case. They will turn the results over to the Arizona Supreme Court, which will ultimately decide whether Hancock remains on the bench. “She can’t make the right decisions on her own. She shouldn’t be making the right decisions for anyone else, and shouldn’t be making any decisions for anyone else,” Hildebrand said. .
a Yavapai County Court Clerk Hancock said he was working on non-judicial duties. Concerned parents said they planned to file a complaint with the commission. A recall effort has been underway since voters elected Hancock to the office. The Arizona Family Investigation Commission called and emailed the judge several times, but did not receive a response.
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