| ► Attorney Rita Jett of Tucson, AZ; outlaw, repeat offender |
 |
 |
|
Attorney Rita Jett of Tucson, AZ; outlaw, repeat offender  The Arizona Supreme Court presented Rita Jett with a law license in 1977 after she graduated from the University of Puget Sound
While sitting as a Tucson City Magistrate, Judge Jett was charged with the following misconduct by the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct.
On a Saturday evening, Rita’s live-in boyfriend, Ben, woke her and subjected her to several hours of verbal abuse. After Ben refused to leave Rita’s home, she called the police. The police arrested Ben on suspicion of domestic violence, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct. Ben was locked up in the Pima County jail where his case was assigned to pretrial services for release assessment. Shortly thereafter, Rita went to the jail and ordered pretrial services to prepare a release order for Ben’s immediate release. Rita signed the release order in her capacity as a judge, and Ben was released, without bond, on his signature, several hours before his scheduled criminal arraignment.
Subsequently, the Judicial Commission found Rita guilty of egregious misconduct in abusing her judicial office to further a personal interest. The members then recommended to the Supreme Court that Rita receive a complimentary censure along with a 60-day suspension without pay.
When Rita’s case came before the Arizona Supreme Court, they refused to go along with the Judicial Commission’s recommendation for punishing Rita.
In its decision, the Court specifically noted that Rite had been disciplined on four (4) prior occasions. The court then ordered that Rita be suspended from bench for a period of four (4) years.
As we speak (ca. March 2012) Rita continues to practice law in the Tucson area.
|
