Magistrate Reprimanded for Swearing and Abrupt Behavior in Court
Jonathan Dannatt, a Staffordshire magistrate with 17 years of service, received a formal misconduct warning for inappropriate language and conduct during a court session.
- Magistrate Jonathan Dannatt was issued a formal warning by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) for using inappropriate language and behavior in court.
- Dannatt was found to have called a verdict 's---' and told a witness, 'I am sick of seeing you, get out,' causing emotional distress to the witness.
- The JCIO determined that his actions constituted serious misconduct, significantly breaching expected standards of judicial conduct and risking reputational damage to the magistracy.
- Dannatt, who had an unblemished 17-year record as a magistrate, expressed remorse, stating he was 'horrified' by his behavior and vowed it would not happen again.
- The misconduct warning was issued with the agreement of the Lady Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor, emphasizing the importance of maintaining judicial professionalism.