News Release

CROWN POINT — The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has filed disciplinary charges against Lake Superior Court Judge Calvin D. Hawkins. The commission alleges Judge Hawkins acted in ways that do not promote public confidence in the judiciary and was harassing. Judge Hawkins is permitted but not required to file an answer to the charges within 20 days.

The “Notice of the Institution of Formal Proceedings and Statement of Charges” (Case No. 24S-JD-403) is public record and has been filed with the Appellate Clerk’s Office. The charges are brought by the seven-member commission, which investigates alleged ethical misconduct by judges.

The commission charges three counts of misconduct. In all counts, the commission alleges that Judge Hawkins violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by acting inappropriately in ways that did not promote the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. Additionally, through both words and conduct, Judge Hawkins was harassing in a sexual nature.

The Supreme Court has final authority to determine what, if any, judicial misconduct occurred. The court can dismiss the charges, accept or reject a disciplinary agreement between the commission and Judge Hawkins, appoint a panel of judges to conduct a public hearing, impose a fine, or impose sanctions ranging from a reprimand to a suspension to a permanent ban on holding judicial office in Indiana.

More information about the commission can be found at here.