STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

HOUSE
RESOLUTION 1006	By:	Ritze

AS INTRODUCED

A Resolution petitioning the Trial Division of the Court on the Judiciary to assume jurisdiction and institute proceedings for the removal of a certain judge from office; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, the Code of Judicial Conduct for Oklahoma judges provides that an independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society and that a judge should participate in establishing, maintaining and enforcing high standards of conduct; and
WHEREAS, personal observation of high standards is critical so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary will be preserved; and    
WHEREAS, the Code of Judicial Conduct for Oklahoma judges further provides that a judge should respect and comply with the law and act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary; and  
WHEREAS, District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure, Oklahoma County Judge of the Seventh Judicial District, exercising judicial power under the Oklahoma Constitution and laws of the State of Oklahoma has wholly failed to comply with certain provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct for allegedly committing offenses involving moral turpitude; specifically, thirty felony counts of making a false or fictitious or fraudulent claim against the State of Oklahoma, a violation of Section 358 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and two felony counts of perjury, a violation of Section 491 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the commission of offenses involving moral turpitude allegedly committed by District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure shall be cause for said removal from office. 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
THAT Section 1 of Article VII-A of the Oklahoma Constitution provides that the judges of any court, exercising judicial power under the provisions of Article VII, or under any other provision of the Oklahoma Constitution, shall be subject to removal from office by proceedings in the Court on the Judiciary.
THAT Section 1 of Article VII-A of the Oklahoma Constitution provides certain causes for the removal of a judge from office, including the commission while in office of any offense involving moral turpitude.
THAT the Court on the Judiciary, created pursuant to Section 2 of Article VII-A of the Oklahoma Constitution, is vested with sole and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine causes concerning the removal of judges from office.
THAT jurisdiction of the Trial Division of the Court on the Judiciary may be invoked and proceedings commenced upon the filing of a Resolution of the House of Representatives of the State of Oklahoma.
THAT pursuant to Section 4 of Article VII-A of the Oklahoma Constitution, the House of Representatives of the State of Oklahoma petitions the Trial Division of the Court on the Judiciary to assume jurisdiction and institute proceedings to remove District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure, Oklahoma County Judge of the Seventh Judicial District, from office for the commission while in office of crimes involving moral turpitude which, pursuant to Section 1 of Article VII-A of the Oklahoma Constitution, shall be cause for removal from such office.
THAT a copy of this resolution be dispatched to each member of the Court on the Judiciary, the Clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the Administrative Director of the Courts. 

53-1-6557	GRS	01/28/11