96-year-old Judge Pauline Newman, who sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, was suspended from hearing cases for a year.
A 96-year-old judge on Wednesday was suspended from hearing cases for one year after she refused to undergo medical examinations and turn over medical records sought in response to concerns raised by her fellow judges and staff about her fitness to continue her work.
that identified a judicial complaint against her. The filing referenced a heart attack Newman suffered in June 2021 and a fainting incident in May 2022, and noted that her workload had been reduced. The committee's probe resulted in a May order that directed Newman to undergo two medical examinations, one of which would be a full neuro-physical examination involving roughly six hours of cognitive testing. She was also told to provide medical records and sit for an interview with the panel.
"Throughout this process, the Special Committee and the Judicial Council have engaged in what can fairly be described as 'sharp practices,'" Greg Dolin, senior litigation counsel with the New Civil Liberties Alliance and Newman's lawyer, said in a statement."The Council faults Judge Newman and NCLA for attempting 'to discredit this entire process by trying their case in the press.
Though Newman herself provided two medical reports showing she did not suffer from a disability, the Federal Circuit Judicial Council said they were not substitutes for the medical exams and records the investigating committee sought. It went on to accuse Newman of committing"serious misconduct" by refusing to comply with the May demand for medical testing, records and the interview.
"Unfortunately, earlier this year mounting evidence raised increasing doubts about whether Judge Newman is still fit to perform the duties of her office," the order stated, calling the resulting proceedings"very sad."
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