Christopher Dupuy
Christopher Dupuy was the judge on the Galveston County Court at Law No. 3 in Texas.[1] He resigned from the bench on September 20, 2013, after pleading guilty to criminal charges. (See below.)[2]
Noteworthy events
Dupuy suspended for threats (2011)
In October 2011, Judge Dupuy was accused of threatening an attorney, ignoring court procedure while appearing as a defendant, and denying a personal relationship with an attorney practicing before his court. In response, Dupuy received a six-month suspension from The State Bar of Texas.[3]
Dupuy arrested on criminal charges (2013)
In May 2013, Dupuy was arrested and criminally charged with two counts of felony obstruction or retaliation, four counts of abuse of official capacity and two counts of official oppression. Prior to the arrest, a group of attorneys signed a petition requesting his removal from the bench for retaliatory actions against their clients, based on Dupuy's dislike of the attorneys.[4] He was suspended from the bench, on May 23, 2013, by the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct while the charges against him were resolved.[2]
Dupuy jailed for contempt
Dupuy was sentenced to 45 days in jail for posting personal attacks on his Facebook page against Assistant Attorney General David Glickler, the attorney prosecuting his case. Judge Ryan Patrick of the 177th District Court was presiding over Dupuy's criminal trial. He also ordered Dupuy to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to ensure he was mentally competent to stand trial. Dupuy faced a trial for misdemeanor and felony charges which were filed against him in May. Judge Patrick also ordered Dupuy to refrain from discussing his case on the Internet and social media sites.[5]
Dupuy resigns after guilty plea
During a competency hearing on September 19, 2013, Dupuy accepted a plea agreement which reduced the charges against him to a misdemeanor charge for abuse of his official capacity and a misdemeanor count of perjury. In exchange, he received a suspended sentence of two years related to the charge that he abused his position. He received a ten-day sentence on the perjury charge, with credit for time served. The remaining charges against him were dropped.[2]
Dupuy resigned from his position as a judge, effective September 20, 2013.[6] More than one year later, on October 23, 2014, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued a public reprimand, noting that Dupuy "failed to comply with the law and engaged in willful persistent conduct that was clearly inconsistent with the proper performance of his judicial duties.”[7]
Dupuy arrested for online harassment (2015)
On July 2, 2015, deputies from the Harris County Sheriff's Office arrested Dupuy in Galveston and charged the former judge with online harassment. He was jailed in lieu of $600,000 bond.[8] Authorities said Dupuy had posted fake prostitution ads, reportedly featuring two ex-girlfriends.[9]
Elections
2010
Dupuy defeated incumbent Roy Quintanilla in the general election, winning 58.9 percent of the vote.[10]
See also
External links
- The Houston Chronicle, "Galveston judge may 'hurt or kill someone,' fellow judge says," February 19, 2013
- The Houston Chronicle, "Galveston County judge finds conflict at every turn," October 3, 2011
Footnotes
- ↑ County of Galveston, County Court at Law #3
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Courthouse News Service, "Texas Judge Resigns, Pleads Guilty to Perjury," September 20, 2013
- ↑ The Houston Chronicle, "Galveston County judge finds conflict at every turn," October 3, 2011
- ↑ ABC13 News, "Texas AG sues to get Galveston Co. judge off bench," May 23, 2013
- ↑ Houston Chronicle, "Galveston judge arrested for contempt," August 28, 2013
- ↑ Texas Lawyer Blog, "Judge Christopher Dupuy resigns, pleads guilty to misdemeanor charges of perjury and abuse of official capacity," September 19, 2013
- ↑ The Daily News, "Former Galveston County judge Dupuy reprimanded," November 11, 2014
- ↑ Houston Chronicle, "Ex-Galveston judge arrested, charged with online harassment," July 2, 2015
- ↑ Houston Press, "Ex-Galveston Judge Posts Fake Escort Ads of Ex-girlfriends," July 6, 2015
- ↑ The Houston Chronicle, Galveston County Election Results
Federal courts:
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas
State courts:
Texas Supreme Court • Texas Court of Appeals • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals • Texas District Courts • Texas County Courts • Texas County Courts at Law • Texas Statutory Probate Courts • Texas Justice of the Peace Courts
State resources:
Courts in Texas • Texas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Texas
