[inpost_fancy thumb_width="200" thumb_height="200" post_id="1870" thumb_margin_left="0" thumb_margin_bottom="0" thumb_border_radius="2" thumb_shadow="0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)" id="" random="0" group="0" border="" show_in_popup="0" album_cover="" album_cover_width="200" album_cover_height="200" popup_width="800" popup_max_height="600" popup_title="Gallery" type="fancy" sc_id="sc1430412327177"]
Third Judicial Circuit Judge Andrew J. Decker, III may be suspended for 90 days without pay after the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) found him guilty of charges related to misconduct and several violations of judicial canons while practicing law in foreclosure cases and running for election. The charges against Judge Decker were filed by the JQC in 2014 for Decker’s reported violation of judicial canons and misconduct prior to his election as judge in November 2012. Judge Decker handles all the Circuit Civil and Criminal cases as well as the Domestic Relation and DOR, Probate and Guardianship, Injunction for Protection, Mental Health, Marchman and Baker Acts in Family Court in Madison County. Judge Decker also handles all the Circuit Civil and Criminal cases as well as the Domestic Relation and DOR and Mental Health, Marchman and Baker Acts in Family Court in Hamilton County. The JQC recommended sanctions of a public reprimand and a 90-day suspension without pay, which Judge Decker will not contest. His lawyer, Scott Tozian stated that Judge Decker does not wish to expend additional time or resources contesting the Hearing Panel's Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations. Judge Decker looks forward to continuing to serve the public as a circuit court judge following his term of suspension. The case will go on to the Supreme Court for a final decision. When asked about the possibility that Judge Decker’s suspension could affect the Madison County Court System, Clerk of Courts Tim Sanders said, “I don’t see any concern for loss of service, there are other judges who could take the cases if he is suspended.” Sanders added “Judge Decker is a very fine judge and has performed his duties very well in Madison County over his tenure here.”