Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
E. Curtissa R. Cofield
E. Curtissa R. Cofield was a juvenile court judge for the New Britain District Superior Court in Connecticut.[1] She was appointed to the bench in 1991 by former Governor John Rowland.[2]
In June 2013, Cofield was suspended from her judicial duties by the Judicial Review Council for 30 days. (See below.) She announced on June 4, 2014, that she would not seek another term on the court. She retired at the end of her term on June 6, 2015.[3]
Education
Cofield was awarded a J.D. from the University of Connecticut in 1978.[4]
Career
- 1991-2015: Judge, New Britain District Superior Court, Connecticut
- 1981-1991: Supervising attorney, State's Attorney's Office, Connecticut
- 1980-1981: Assistant corporation counsel, City of Hartford[4]
Awards and associations
- Chairperson, Board of Directors, Hartford Housing Authority[4]
Misconduct
Judge suspended for delayed rulings on foster care placements (2013)
In an agreement reached with the Judicial Review Council in June 2013, Judge Cofield was suspended from her judicial duties for 30 days, without pay. The agreement stems from a complaint received by the council that indicated the judge took up to a year to issue rulings on 10 cases for foster children. The rulings to place the children in permanent homes should have been issued within 120 days. When asked to respond to the charges in an appearance before the council, Cofield stated,
| “ | I admit with an explanation... I want to formally apologize to the community for the times I've let them down.[5][6] | ” |
Her attorney, Hubert J. Santos, requested that the council accept the agreement of a 30-day suspension. Though she was charged with two similar counts, as part of the agreement, one count was dropped. Several people spoke on Cofield's behalf at her hearing before the council. A former legislator, William Dyson, spoke of Cofield's dedication to helping those in need.
| “ | The people of the state. . .deserve to have her back on the bench.[5][6] | ” |
The complaint regarding Cofield's failure to issue the rulings in a timely manner was made to the Connecticut Supreme Court by the Department of Children and Families and the Attorney General's Office in March 2013. The Connecticut Supreme Court referred the matter to the Connecticut Appellate Court who then ordered Cofield to rule on the cases no later than April 1, 2013. Judge Cofield issued the rulings, but the matter was referred to the Judicial Review Council. The council is charged with investigating complaints and disciplining judges. Judges, attorneys and members of the public serve on the council.[5]
Judge suspended after DUI (2009)
- See also: Politicians convicted of DUI
The Judicial Review Council suspended Cofield without pay or benefits for eight months for using her position as a judge on the Connecticut Superior Court to intimidate police, using racially inappropriate language against police officers, and for drunk driving. The council could have suspended the judge for as long as one year or recommended she be removed from the bench. In an interview, Cofield said she considered the penalty very harsh but would not appeal the decision. She noted,
| “ | I'm going to accept full responsibility for my actions.[7][6] | ” |
Cofield was allegedly driving home after having drinks at a bar in Hartford when she crashed her car into a state police cruiser parked near a highway construction zone. She was placed under arrest and taken to the police station in Glastonbury where she was charged with driving under the influence and failing to drive in the correct lane. A video camera at the police station reportedly captured Cofield insulting officers and using racial slurs against officers, one of whom was black.[8]
At her hearing in superior court, the prosecutor indicated Cofield's blood alcohol level was 0.16 percent, double the legal limit. The state trooper who arrested Cofield testified her eyes were bloodshot, and she smelled of alcohol. Cofield applied for admission to an alcohol education program when she appeared in court. After completion, Cofield was eligible to have her charges dismissed and removed from her criminal record.[9]
During her February 2009 hearing before the council, Cofield said,
| “ | To the police officers involved in my accident and arrest, I am sorry for my offensive and derogatory actions. . .I thank you for your professionalism and patience.[7][6] | ” |
At the time of the incident, Cofield was presiding judge in Hartford's community court, where DUI cases are heard. Cofield later requested a transfer to a civil court assignment.[10]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Connecticut Judicial Branch, "Superior Court Judges," accessed June 3, 2014
- ↑ State of Connecticut, Office of the Secretary of State, "Judicial Department, State Courts," accessed June 28, 2013
- ↑ My Record Journal.com, "Controversial judge opts to retire," June 4, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Connecticut General Assembly "Judiciary Committee, Hearing Transcript" May 18, 1991, accessed June 28, 2013
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Connecticut Law Tribune, "Judge Cofield Suspended Without Pay Over Child Welfare Cases," June 19, 2013
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Hartford Courant, "Cofield Suspended 240 Days," February 10, 2009
- ↑ The Hartford Courant, "State Officials Eager to View Recording Tied to Judge's Arrest," January 19, 2009
- ↑ The Hartford Courant, "Judge Accepted For Alcohol Program," December 9, 2008
- ↑ The Hartford Courant, "Judge Appears Before Judge Charged With Driving While Intoxicated After Her Car Struck Police Cruiser," October 28, 2008
Federal courts:
Second Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Connecticut • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Connecticut
State courts:
Connecticut Supreme Court • Connecticut Appellate Court • Connecticut Superior Court • Connecticut Probate Courts
State resources:
Courts in Connecticut • Connecticut judicial elections • Judicial selection in Connecticut
