The Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) of Georgia has brought formal charges against Washington County Chief Magistrate Judge Manzie T. Broxton, according to documents from the JQC dated Thursday, January 20.
The JQC cited 30 formal counts against Broxton based on three complaints dating back to April of 2021 through September of 2021.
The Supreme Court of Georgia suspended Judge Broxton on September 24 of 2021. According to the JQC, Broxton remains suspended pending the final disposition concerning the proceedings and is not permitted to act in any judicial capacity.
The 30 counts against Broxton stem from his [Broxton’s] alleged conduct while serving as Chief Magistrate of Washington County; in one complaint, Broxton allegedly directed a law enforcement officer to postdate a warrant, which resulted in an individual remaining in jail over the weekend to [in Broxton’s words] “teach her a lesson.” Additionally, Broxton also allegedly made improper attempts to mediate disputes and discourage parties from filing lawsuits in the Magistrate Court of Washington County.
According to the JQC’s investigation, Broxton also issued Ex Parte directives and verbal orders on an eviction matter, improperly used church members to perform critical court tasks, failed to follow applicable laws to decide issues based on proper legal bases, used criminal proceedings and the threat of incarceration to force payment to another party in a potential civil matter not before the court, contacted a witness who was cooperating with the JQC’s investigation, and issued felony arrest warrants based upon an unsworn citizen complaint and without holding a pre-warrant application hearing.
The JQC notes in its report that violations of the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct support discipline when they amount to “willful misconduct in office,” “willful and persistent failure to perform the duties of office,” or “conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute.”
“Judge Broxton’s conduct as alleged amounts to willful misconduct in office, a willful and persistent failure to perform the duties of office, and is prejudicial to the administration of justice, bringing the office of Chief Magistrate Judge of Washington County into disrepute,” reads a portion of the 36-page document from JQC.
According to the JQC, Broxton was notified of alleged misconduct and is required to file a verified answer to these charges within 30 days of service of the charges. Failure to answer the formal charges will constitute an admission of the factual allegations.