• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Muddy River Sports
  • Podcasts
    • State of Play with David Adam
    • Muddy River Minute
  • Muddy River TV+
  • Support Muddy River News
  • Newsletter

Muddy River News

Our Home. Our News.

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Politics
  • Muddy River Vibe
  • Blotter
  • Business
  • Local Matters
  • Markets & Ag
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • Real Estate
  • Shop
Home » News » Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board files complaint against Adrian; case now goes before Illinois Courts Commission for formal hearings
The Top Stories section is sponsored by:

Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board files complaint against Adrian; case now goes before Illinois Courts Commission for formal hearings

June 21, 2022 — by David Adam, MRN Editor

Eighth Judicial Circuit Judge Robert Adrian

QUINCY — The Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board filed a complaint on Friday against Eighth Judicial Circuit Judge Robert K. Adrian.

Adrian found Drew Clinton, 18, guilty of felony criminal sexual assault following a bench trial in October 2021, but then on Jan. 3, Adrian vacated Clinton’s conviction, resulting in Clinton being released from the Adams County Jail.

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin reported Friday that Adrian testified under oath before the Judicial Inquiry Board in April. The JIB’s complaint said Adrian explained his decision to reverse his finding of guilt in the sexual assault case was based upon the evidence and his conclusion that the prosecution had not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the victim could not give consent.

Adrian also allegedly testified that his reversal was not an effort to “thwart the law.” The JIB alleged in its complaint that this testimony was false, and Adrian knew it was false when he made the statements.

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin reported Adrian allegedly violated several rules of the Code of Judicial Conduct, including Rules 61, 62 and 63.

Rule 61 states, “A judge should uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary.”

Rule 62 states, “A judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all the judge’s activities.”

Rule 63 states, “A judge should perform the duties of judicial office impartially and diligently.”

The members of the Judicial Inquiry Board are three lawyers, two judges and four people who are not lawyers. The JIB determines if a complaint made against an active Illinois court judge should be closed or investigated, and whether a reasonable basis exists to file a public complaint against a judge with the Courts Commission.

David Sterba, a former circuit judge in Cook County and Illinois Appellate Court judge in Illinois’ First District, is the chair of the JIB. Sterba retired from the bench in 2013 and co-founded Walsh, Fewkes & Sterba. Paula Gomora, a judge for the 12th Circuit Court in Joliet, is the vice chair. Other members of the JIB are Kent Delgado, Sean Nash, Elaine Johnson, Ruby Smith and Megan Applegate.

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin also reported the JIB filed two other complaints. It accused Cook County Circuit Judge William B. Raines of making derogatory, injudicious and demeaning statements about attorneys in a case seeking to have a 1996 murder conviction thrown out. It also charged Mohammed M. Ghouse, an associate judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, with drunk driving.

The JIB charged Raines, Ghouse and Adrian with conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice and brings the judicial office into disrepute. Their cases now will go before the Illinois Courts Commission for formal hearings. The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin did not specify the dates for those hearings.

All proceedings of the Judicial Inquiry Board are confidential except the filing of a complaint with the Courts Commission.

The Illinois Courts Commission is composed of 16 members. The Illinois Supreme Court appoints seven, the Appellate Court appoints five and the governor appoints four.

The commission hears the evidence against a judge at a public hearing and decides whether the allegations of the complaint were proved by clear and convincing evidence. After a public hearing, the commission can reprimand, censure, suspend without pay or remove the judge from office.

During post-trial motions at the beginning of Clinton’s sentencing hearing, Adrian acknowledged he was required to impose a mandatory jail sentence. The statute under which Clinton was convicted required a minimum four-year sentence in the Department of Corrections.

However, Adrian said refused to impose the jail sentence.

“… This happened when this teenager … was two weeks past 18 years old,” Adrian said, according to transcripts provided by Kim Cottrell, a court reporter for Adams County. “He has no prior record, none whatsoever. By law, the court is supposed to sentence this young man to the Department of Corrections. This court will not do that. That is not just. There is no way for what happened in this case that this teenager should go to the Department of Corrections. I will not do that.”

Adrian then threw out the conviction.

Assistant State’s Attorney Anita Rodriguez said the next day, “I’ve been prosecuting for over 40 years — first in Kansas, and for the last almost 34 and a half years in this office. I’ve never even seen anything close to that. Frankly, I’m without words to explain. I have no explanation for what happened.”

Nine days later on Jan. 12, Adrian and Josh Jones, lead trial attorney for the Adams County State’s Attorney’s office, were in courtroom 1B for status hearings on a series of felony cases in Adams County Circuit Court. After Adrian entered the courtroom and was seated, he turned his attention to Jones.

“Mr. Jones, get out,” he said.

Jones didn’t immediately react to Adrian, so the judge continued.

“I’m not on social media, but my wife is,” Adrian said. “She saw the thumbs up you gave to people attacking me (on Facebook). I can’t be fair with you today. Get out.”

Pittsfield judge Frank McCartney, chief judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, signed an administrative order the next day detailing the changes in Adrian’s duties. McCartney removed Adrian from presiding over criminal cases and assigned him preside over small claims, legal matters and probate dockets.

Miss Clipping Out Stories to Save for Later?

Click the Purchase Story button below to order a print of this story. We will print it for you on matte photo paper to keep forever.

Purchase Story
close

Do you want to receive the Muddy River News newsletter in your inbox every morning? Send us your email address, click "Subscribe" and don't forget to check your email to confirm your FREE subscription.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Filed Under: Noteworthy, Top Stories Tagged With: Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Drew Clinton, Illinois Courts Commission, Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board, Judge Robert Adrian

Primary Sidebar

MUDDY RIVER NEWS BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: TRACY GENENBACHER, T-FORCE ADVERTISING

https://youtu.be/UE3J4MjGofM
View Complete Forecast

Trending Posts This Week

  • Hannibal attorney running for judge charged with felony for attempted tampering with victim
    HANNIBAL, Mo. — A Hannibal attorney running to become an associate judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit was charged with...
  • Homan trial removed from July jury docket after prosecution learns potential witness is unavailable
    QUINCY — The trial of the former owner of the Barn nightclub, who faces one count of aggravated battery in...
  • Withdrawal of Wiley’s attorney in first-degree murder case could lead to change in prosecution as well
    QUINCY — The decision of a local attorney to take a new job has led to the jury trial of...
  • Mendon man charged with striking school board member in face pleads guilty to misdemeanor
    QUINCY — A Mendon man charged with striking a school board member at a meeting of the Mendon School Board...
  • Bailey dominates to take GOP gubernatorial nod
    Adams County Republicans and Congresswoman Mary Miller are gathered in the Town and Country Inn Ballroom for primary results.

Follow Us Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Our Most Recent Podcasts

  • CLUB MUDDY PODCAST: Who the F… is Frankie Murphy Giesing June 30, 2022
  • Trump talks Miller endorsement, Adams Co. visit June 23, 2022
  • CLUB MUDDY: Breaking the seal June 22, 2022
  • BOOK NOOK with Ron Kinscherf June 13, 2022
  • BOOK NOOK: Libations for the Library May 18, 2022
  • Book Nook for April 26, 2022 April 26, 2022
  • Book Nook for April 19, 2022 April 19, 2022
  • DOB and the BBB: April 7, 2022 April 7, 2022
  • Book Nook: April 6, 2020 April 7, 2022
  • Book Nook: Quincy Public Library for March 22 March 22, 2022

More Top Stories

Muddy River News This Week: Adam Yates, chief of Quincy Police Department

by J. Robert Gough, Publisher

Bob Gough talks to Adam Yates, Quincy's new police chief, about the state of the department and gives a warning about the elimination of cash bail in Illinois. Muddy River News This Week is furnished by Harvey's. … ...Read Full Article about Muddy River News This Week: Adam Yates, chief of Quincy Police Department

Ask MRN: Are the cameras at Broadway intersections recording traffic on video?

by David Adam, MRN Editor

Dear MRN, Are these cameras (on Broadway) recording traffic on video? Can we see or watch the video? What are these cameras used for? The camera shown in the photo above, and others like them at other intersections throughout Quincy, are used to detect vehicle movement to help regulate traffic … ...Read Full Article about Ask MRN: Are the cameras at Broadway intersections recording traffic on video?

Daily Muddy: Ashley and Brittany head to Hannibal to check out Tom Sawyer Days

by Muddy River News

Ashley Conrad and Brittany Boll with the Muddy River News staff make the trip to Hannibal for Tom Sawyer Days to check out the mud volleyball tournament, interviewing the tournament coordinator, one of the event's younger competitors and one of its oldest competitors (yes, that means you, Kevin … ...Read Full Article about Daily Muddy: Ashley and Brittany head to Hannibal to check out Tom Sawyer Days

Homan trial removed from July jury docket after prosecution learns potential witness is unavailable

by David Adam, MRN Editor

QUINCY — The trial of the former owner of the Barn nightclub, who faces one count of aggravated battery in connection to a March 2020 incident involving a former Quincy University student, has been removed from the July jury docket. Steven Homan, 48, of Quincy appeared before Judge Kevin Tippey … ...Read Full Article about Homan trial removed from July jury docket after prosecution learns potential witness is unavailable

Hannibal attorney running for judge charged with felony for attempted tampering with victim

by David Adam, MRN Editor

HANNIBAL, Mo. — A Hannibal attorney running to become an associate judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit was charged with a felony earlier this month for offering a victim $4,000 not to testify against his client. Luke Bryant, prosecuting attorney for Marion County, filed a complaint in Marion … ...Read Full Article about Hannibal attorney running for judge charged with felony for attempted tampering with victim

Footer

Coverage Area

Muddy River News LLC
535 Maine, Suite 4A
Quincy, IL 62301

Have a Story or News Tips? Contact Us!

Phone: (217) 577-8044
Email: news@muddyrivernews.com

Copyright © 2022 • Muddy River News LLC • All Rights Reserved • Privacy Policy