BREAKING: Roy Moore Suspended by Disciplinary Court for Remainder of His Term

Court Finds Chief Justice Guilty of Core Ethics Violations

Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore has just been found guilty of six core ethical “canons” by the state’s top disciplinary court and will be suspended for the remainder of his term, which ends in 2019, effective immediately. Moore’s letter instructing all state probate judges to not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples led to the charges. Due to his age, Moore is not able to run for re-election.

The Alabama Court of the Judiciary (COJ) has just handed down its ruling after hearing charges brought by the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC), which recommended Moore be removed from the court.

“For these violations, Chief Justice Moore is hereby suspended from office without pay for the remainder of his term. This suspension is effective immediately,” the order, according to AL.com, reads. 

Moore, WVTM reports, was found guilty of violating the following canons:

• Canon 1, failing to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary
• Canon 2, failing to avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all his activities
• Canon 2A, failing to respect and comply with the law and failed to conduct himself at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary
• Canon 2B, failing to avoid conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute
• Canon 3, failing to perform the duties of his office impartially
• Canon 3A(6), failing to abstain from public comment about a pending proceeding in his own court.

In January Moore issued a letter claiming that both a federal judge’s order allowing same-sex couples to marry in Alabama, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell did not mean that same-sex couples could legally wed in Alabama.

He can appeal to his own court, the Alabama Supreme Court.

The Southern Poverty Law Center had filed several complaints against Moore, the last led to the ethics charges which removed him today.

This is the second time Moore has been removed as Chief Justice. The first was in 2003, over his refusal to remove from the courthouse a stone monument to the Ten Commandments, which he himself had had installed. He won his position back in an election in 2012. 

Moore is believed to want to run for governor.

UPDATE I: 12:15 PM EDT –
GOP Gov. Robert Bentley, himself facing impeachment on charges including misuse of funds, will name a replacement for Moore.

UPDATE II: 12:22 PM EDT –
The Court’s 50-page ruling, which unfortunately actually begins by questioning the Obergefell decision, can be read here.

This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.