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High court orders Kouros to step down
Monday will be last day for embattled judge
Post-Tribune
June 28, 2003
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.proxy.portagelibrary.info/resources/doc/nb/news/0FF66D3DA676E4CE?p=AWNB
Monday will be Lake Court Superior Court Judge Joan Kouros' last day on the bench.
In a rare move, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered the judge to step down Friday because of her failure to reduce a backlog of cases in her courtroom.
The court's decision came despite letters of support for Kouros from a number of area attorneys, and a letter from Kouros herself stating why she should not be removed.
Kouros will be replaced by Lake Superior Court Pro Tem Judge Raymond J. Kickbush, who has been appointed to serve full time.
The 42-year-old Kouros is known to have dozens, if not hundreds, of case files in her courtroom and chambers for weeks at a time.
The backlog has delayed the release of inmates held at the Lake County Jail and delayed transfers to other facilities.
"Unfortunately, a correction to the manner in which justice is being administered in Lake Superior Criminal Court III is needed now and cannot await further gradual improvement," acting Chief Justice Frank Sullivan Jr. said in the order signed Friday.
He noted that Kouros had taken some steps toward correcting the problem in her courtroom, which the court looked upon favorably.
However, he said the state court's first intervention was more than two years ago, on Jan. 22, 2001.
An April inspection of Kouros' courtroom revealed that she had not been complying with a 2001 order that required her to return files to the Lake County clerk's office within 48 hours.
Kouros, a 1983 graduate of Valparaiso University's law school, could not be reached for comment.
Lake County Superior Court Judge Thomas Stefaniak, the senior judge of the Criminal Division, said he is willing to assist the high court any way he can.
"The Supreme Court has made its decision in this case and our division stands willing to accept the decision," he said.
Lake Superior Judge Clarence Murray concurred with Stefaniak, but said Kouros' removal from the bench is disturbing.
"It's still sinking in," Murray said. "All I can say is it's a most unfortunate situation.
"The Supreme Court has made its decision in this case and our division stands willing to accept the decision," he said.
Kouros, a Schererville resident, became the first woman ever appointed to serve as judge in the Criminal Division of Lake Superior Court in 1997.
The Supreme Court has removed judges for disciplinary violations in the past, according to Douglas Cressler, administrator to the state Supreme Court.
But, he said, "it is rare for a judge to be removed for poor performance of administrative duties."
The court left room for Kouros to return to the bench, however.
"We appreciate the efforts Judge Kouros has made to address the documented problems and her acceptance of responsibility in this matter," Sullivan wrote.
Accordingly, after 90 days, Kouros can petition to get her job back.
Sullivan said the court would reconsider the matter based on the proof established in Kouros' petition, the prevailing circumstances of courtroom under Kickbush and the recommendations of the Division of State Court Administration.
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