LITTLE RIVER ACADEMY - The Little River - Academy municipal judge, who also serves as the city's mayor, is being investigated for misconduct.
Ronnie White has served as the town's mayor and judge for nearly 30 years. However, his days as the judge could be coming to an end. A city council member told KCEN some of the council has discussed removing White as judge due to allegations of misconduct. "As far as dismissing me, if I've done anything wrong I'll quit. They don't have to," said White.
Complaints by the Little River police chief sparked an investigation by the State Commission of Judicial Conduct. Some of the accusations against White include changing citations to warnings for friends, and discussing citations with defendants before the case gets to court.
"Discussing something with parents about their kids before a court date and all that, we do that. I do that some, but I tell them we settle it in court," said White. When asked if he makes deals outside of court he firmly said "no".
White told KCEN he uses common sense when ruling on citations and will sometimes reduce fines or give community service. "If someone can't afford to pay a fine we let them pay it out or we give them community service to cut grass and stuff like that to help them," he said. "Everybody that comes into court has been treated fairly and judged with common sense. It may not be exactly by the book all the time, but we do it fair."
We asked White if he believed he was doing anything wrong as a judge and he responded, "No. I've been doing it 25 years here, and I do it plain old Little River style. We keep everything peaceful. We hardly ever have a jury trial. We work it out where we do go through all that. This is Little River, it's not Dallas or Houston."
KCEN's legal expert Liz Mitchell says a judge is allowed to use their discretion when it comes to reducing fines, giving community service or even dismissing citations altogether. When it comes to discussing cases outside of court, Mitchell says a judge has to remain fair and impartial; In order to do that the facts of the case should only be heard in the court room.
The State's investigation for misconduct is expected to be completed in about two weeks. As for the city council, the newly elected council members will be sworn in at the next meeting in June. The council will then discuss whether to remove White as judge. If they agree, we are told a special council meeting will be called. In order to remove White as judge, the council would have to reinstate the ordinance that allowed them to hire White.
White holds firm that he did not break any laws and that he conducts judicial responsibility fairly. He also said several times that if the council wants him to leave, then he will quit.
