Supreme Court Hears Harlan Circuit Judge's Appeal

{Harlan, Kentucky}...An attorney for Harlan Circuit Judge Russell D. Alred argued to the state Supreme Court Thursday that Alred was treated unfairly when he was ordered removed from office for misconduct and should be allowed to keep his job. Alred is appealing a decision by the state Judicial Conduct Commission, which ordered him removed last September. The panel judged Alred guilty of numerous ethics violations, including having improper involvement in cases, failing to dispose of cases fairly, using his office to advance personal interests and misrepresenting his actions. The commission had offered a deal in which Alred would receive a 90-day suspension if he would admit ethics breaches, but he refused. Alred agreed not to preside over cases after the commission ruling last year, but still receives his salary. He is the fourth judge since 1984 to be removed from office by the commission.