Judge Gustavo Garza File Photo
Los Fresnos Justice of the Peace Gustavo Garza has been punished by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
The decision stems from his court-sanctioned paddling for truant students.
The commission slapped the Precinct 6 Justice of the Peace in Los Fresnos with a “public warning”.
Sources told Action 4 News that's just one step below suspension or removal from the bench.
JP Garza has maintained he lawfully gives parents the option to spank their child in open court in lieu of paying a hefty fine.
But Brownsville defense attorney Mark Sossi who represents several families paddled in Garza’s court has called the Judge's actions “improper” corporal punishment.
The State Commission on Judicial Conduct agreed with Sossi and the family.
The commission met in February and recently released its findings to the public. They read in part:
“…the Commission concludes Judge Garza exceeded his authority by providing parents and the school district with a ‘safe haven’ for the administration of corporal punishment... with no legal authority to impose the sanction either by the Texas Education Code or Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.”
The findings go on to say: “…this court-sanctioned paddling, which subjected the students and their parents to public embarrassment, humiliation, fear and pain, failed to maintain proper order and decorum in the courtroom as required by the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.”
Action 4 News has posted a full copy of the commission's decision in the link below.
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