Proctor asks panel to dismiss ethics charges (UALR Public Radio) - A Pulaski County judge accused of having too close of a relationship with defendants on probation says the disciplinary panel's recommendation that he be removed from office should be dismissed.

Circuit Judge Willard Proctor on Wednesday accused the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission of not following its rules for notifying him that a lower panel had called for his removal. Proctor said the panel didn't provide him with a copy of a transcript from his hearing or a lower panel's recommendation that he be removed.

Proctor said that, instead, the commission's executive director gave those items to his attorney.

The commission has recommended that the Supreme Court take Proctor off the bench, saying he violated 16 rules of judicial conduct.

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