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A disciplinary complaint against Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Waldez is still in the air about two months after hearing the case.
The time of the case is somewhat related to the voters of Douglas County because the result of the case may affect the ability of Valdez to serve as DA.
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The complaint was launched by the Disciplinary Administrator’s office about three years ago after the Chief Justice of the Douglas County District Court arrived for guidance about Waldez’s conduct.
In particular, Waldez made some public statements, who said in question to the integrity of the judge – and in detail, the integrity of the entire court, some witnesses testified. In January 2021, exactly two months after the Waldez took over, he issued a press release, stating that the judge had incorrectly claimed that in April 2021, his office was on the board with a plan to resume the jury trial, as the Kovid -19 was tested for a long time due to the pandemical. A special prosecutor filed a formal complaint against Waldez in August 2023.
A panel of three lawyers heard testimony including Waldez during a three -day hearing in December. They are tasked with weighing evidence in the case and compiling final hearing reports, and the report will include their recommendations for discipline.
The panel lawyers did not provide a time -line in December, when they were expected to release the final hearing report, nor did there be any clarity at that time. The readers have asked the publication to update the matter, and The Office of the Display Administrator has planned to be filed once after sending the panel report to the Times.
The special prosecutor on the case asked the panel to implement one year suspension of Waldez’s law license. Waldez’s lawyer said that he believes that a public sensor was a proper solution.
The panel may recommend any discipline or informal worship; If they do, the case will not be done with the Kansas Supreme Court. If the panel recommends public sensors, probation, suspension, disintegration or any other discipline that they determine to be appropriate, the case will be docked to listen to the argument for the Supreme Court, and this will take a final decision in the court case.
Waldez made a statement on Friday through a spokesperson of his office.
“While I have no way to know when the opinion will be released, some facts are unchanged: I am a district attorney, my office is stable in my mission to ensure that Douglas County is a safe and just community, and I have filed for re -election in 2024,” he said. “Our annual report of our 2021 and 2022 exposes some of some of the initiatives from this office that is completed under my leadership, and our 2023 reports are being produced. Therefore, this is the usual business in the Douglas County District Attorney Office. ,
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In early January, the canns had 20 pending disciplinary cases against lawyers that reached a formal complaint phase and a review committee directed that cases should proceed to hearing.
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At that time, Waldez’s case and two others waited for decisions from their respective hearing panels. Five other cases were awaiting oral arguments before the Supreme Court; One of them is docked to be heard in late March. The Kansas Supreme Court had heard oral arguments in four cases; The court has since issued decisions in three of those four.
None of the 19 other lawyers listed in the state directory as an elected district or county attorney, nor is working as prosecutors.
Although a few months still remain, the deadline for running for the district attorney is coming in early June.
So far, another candidate – a Democrat – Tonda Hill – has filed to run against Waldez. He is currently an assistant district attorney in Wandote County.
Waldez has also filed for running as a Democrat, so the primary election will be held on 6 August. No Republican had filed for the office till Friday.
Read more about the backstory and see the coverage of the three-day hearing on the link given below.
Catch the hearing dispute on this link and the details of day 1.
Waldez shared some regrets on the day of hearing; Read more on this link.
The Special Prosecutor called agrewting and rebuter witnesses to testify in 3 of the hearing; Read more on this link.
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McKenzie Clarke (she/her), Lawrence Times reporter/founder, McLark (at) Lawrencekstimes (DOT) can be reached com. Read more of his work for the time here. See her staff bio here.
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McKenzie Clarke/Lawrence Times
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The prosecutor, who handled a complaint against Douglas County Dr. Suzanne Waldez, on Wednesday asked a disciplinary panel if he believes in Valdez and his deputy testimony or the testimony of 13 witnesses who testified.
McKenzie Clarke/Lawrence Times
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District Attorney Suzanne Waldez of Douglas County became tears as he repeatedly apologized and expressed how embarrassed to sit in his disciplinary hearing on Tuesday afternoon.
McKenzie Clarke/Lawrence Times
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According to the testimony at the disciplinary hearing of the DA, derogatory public statements by the District Attorney have changed the criminal legal system of Douglas County from March 2021.
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Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
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This is Friday morning and curious students have patience a line patiently on Jessica Brown’s desk. Many people want to congratulate the first grade teacher for their new award. Other people want to say hi to a dear former teacher before starting their day.
August Rudicell / Lawrence Times
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The concentration of hepatitis A in the waste water of Lawrence – aka sewage – is increasing, but drinking water is clean and safe according to the city.
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According to the director’s reports, the Lawrence Community Shelter has been overright among the guests in the Lawrence Community Shelter compared to the population of Douglas County.
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David Farway, Mississippi Choktav and Lawrence High Fetish have been nominated for the new coordinator of the original American student services for the Lawrence School district.
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