Opinion
D-108 September Term 2022 088547
09-12-2023
In the MATTER OF Mary F. THURBER, A Judge of the Superior Court
ORDER This matter having been submitted to the Court by the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC) pursuant to Rule 2:15-15A(b), following the Committee's grant of an application for discipline by consent of Mary F. Thurber, a Judge of the Superior Court, in ACJC 2022-2118;
And Disciplinary Counsel/Presenter and Respondent having entered into a stipulation of discipline by consent in which it was agreed that Respondent violated Canon 1, Rule 1.1 ("A judge shall participate in establishing, maintaining and enforcing, and personally observe, high standards of conduct so that the integrity, impartiality and independence of the judiciary is preserved."), Canon 2, Rule 2.1 ("A judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety."), and Canon 5, Rule 5.8 ("A judge shall not serve as an executor, administrator, or other fiduciary ....") of the Code of Judicial Conduct when Respondent acted as an estate administrator for thirteen years while on the bench;
And the parties having agreed that Respondent's judicial misconduct in violation of Canon 1, Rule 1.1; Canon 2, Rule 2.1; and Canon 5, Rule 5.8 warrants a public disciplinary sanction ranging between a public reprimand and a public censure;
And the Committee having recommended to the Court that the appropriate sanction for Respondent's misconduct is a public censure;
And the Court having determined to accept the tendered discipline by consent, including the recommendation of a public censure as the appropriate disciplinary sanction;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Mary F. Thurber, a Judge of the Superior Court, is hereby publicly censured; and it is further
ORDERED that the stipulation of discipline by consent, Respondent's affidavit of consent, and supporting documentation in the certified record submitted to the Court are hereby incorporated by reference into this Order, in accordance with Rule 2:15-15A(b)(4).