Judge Michael Burns of Hastings, NE; ethical goblin

The state of Nebraska provided Michael P. Burns with a law license in 1992 after he graduated from Creighton University School of Law.

FYI: This wasn’t Mikey’s First bite at the Judicial Misfit Apple Tree. She previously received a complimentary reprimand for engaging in a variety of misconduct. A review of said misconduct can be found by visiting the URL at the end of this article.

The Nebraska Judicial Qualification Commission found Mikey guilty of engaging in the following misconduct.

• Engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice
• Failed to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary
• Failed to avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety
• Abused of the prestige of his judicial office to advance his personal or economic interests or others, or allow others to do so
• Failed to require court staff, court officials, and others subject to his direction and control to act in a manner consistent with the judge’s obligations under this Code
• Engaged in improper conduct in a case involving a friend and parish priest who was charged with a misdemeanor offense
• During a break from his judicial duties, Mikey received a message about the charge v. the priest and initiated communications with the County Attorney and the defendant, using his judicial position and contacts
• Mikey failed to disclose his conflict of interest
• Engaged in conduct that brought disrepute to the judiciary
• Violated several provisions of the Nebraska Code of Judicial Conduct

As a direct consequence of his misconduct, the cheerleaders for Judicial Misfits sitting on the Nebraska Supreme Court punished Mikey by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.

As we speak (ca. June 2024) Mikey continues to dispense his so-called idea of jurisprudence as a District 10 Court Judge in Hastings, Nebraska.