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Administrative-Violations of Code of Judicial Conduct-Discipline
Staff Report//January 2, 2026//
The commission recommended discipline for a circuit judge for violations of the code of judicial conduct, recommended a six month suspension without pay, followed by allowing the judge to serve an additional 18 months before resigning.
Where there was no justification for the delayed-resignation discipline, and any such discipline would likely be impermissible under the constitution, the court decided to order the judge’s immediate removal for engaging in political activity in the courtroom, as his conduct would either merit a suspension or an immediate removal from office, and removal was the standard sanction for engaging in improper political activity.
Removed from office.
In re: Thornhill (MLW No. 84155/Case No. SC101374 – 16 pages) (Supreme Court of Missouri, Wilson, J.) Original disciplinary proceeding. (Kelly L. King, Jefferson City, for petitioner) (Michael P. Downey and Paige Tungate, St. Louis and Neil J. Bruntrager, Clayton for respondent)
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