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Sherri Harrison
The Bailey County Judge, Sherri Harrison, faces possible removal after a petition was filed alleging “incompetence, official misconduct and habitual drunkenness,” which could have ramifications on multiple cases.
The petition was file in the Bailey County District Court on Tuesday by Bailey County Attorney Michaela Kee. Kee was appointed as the County Attorney for Bailey County on Jan. 12 and was previously employed as the Assistant District Attorney for the 287th Judicial District, which she has continue to serve on a part-time basis.
In the petition, Kee states she is filing on behalf of the public interest and demands a jury trial to “ensure protection of the public and public interest in the execution of the duties of the Bailey County Judge.”
Judge Harrison has been the county judge since March 2005 but lost to Basil Nash in the March Primary Election. Her term ends in January 2023.
Details in the 30-page petition, along with 55 pages of the state’s exhibits, go back to 2018 and include:
-Disclosing confidential information as pertaining to intimate details of protection orders and juvenile proceedings to other court employees not privy to this type of information or court proceeding;
-Texting parties involved in protection orders and hearings;
-Failing or refusing to review search warrants adequately for probable cause;
-Not admonishing arrestees while performing as magistrate in the Bailey County Jail;
-Being intoxicated while performing judicial duties;
-Threatening, acting aggressive, and/or disrupting the public peace and tranquility in the courthouse, business, conferences, and personal residences of the public;
-Intentionally impeding another in exercise of their rights for legal representation;
-Seeking outside information about pending cases she knows she will be presiding over;
-Interfering with ongoing criminal investigations;
-Making negative comments on defendants while presiding on the bench; and
-Intentionally and knowingly engaging in unlawful behavior by providing a minor with alcohol.
Kee states these acts by Harrison are not only “concerning Constitutional violations but also are intentional unlawful acts that constitute official misconduct.”
As to the allegation of incompetency, Kee added to the petition:
-Being grossly careless and/or grossly ignorant of ensuring that confidential information as pertaining to intimate details of protection orders and juvenile proceedings is not disclosed to the public;
-Being grossly careless and/or grossly ignorant when reviewing search warrants;
-Being grossly careless and/or grossly ignorant by failing or refusing to provide defendants and arrestees admonishments;
-Her inability to perform duties due to being intoxicated while performing judicial duties;
-Exhibiting a serious mental defect by her pattern of behavior of creating public disturbances;
-Exhibiting a serious mental defect by her presentation of erratic speech that does not follow a logical manner while performing judicial duties;
-Being grossly ignorant or careless in maintaining impartiality;
-Exhibiting a serious mental defect by acting aggressively and/or in a hostile manner without provocation towards others; and
-Neglecting her duties as an officer to perform her duties imposed on her as the County Judge.
A district judge can remove a county judge from office for official misconduct, incompetency, and intoxication on or off duty caused by drinking an alcoholic beverage.
Kee asks that the District Court request the presiding judge of the Ninth Administrative Judicial Region of Texas to assign a judge who is not a resident of Bailey County to dispose of this action, and also to suspend Judge Harrison from office through the trial and appeal, without pay, and appoint another person to perform the duties of Bailey County Judge. Additionally, Kee asked the court to set a bond to be executed by the person appointed to serve as the temporary county judge, and after trial by jury, to enter a judgment that Harrison be removed from office, and all costs be assessed against Harrison.