The proceedings involving a Putnam County Family Court Judge accused of judicial misconduct begin Tuesday morning in Charleston
The West Virginia Supreme Court will begin hearing oral arguments in the case against Family Court Judge William Watkins.
Watkins faces seven charges from the state Judicial Investigation Commission who alleges he delayed rulings, failed to enter domestic violence orders into the state’s tracking system and screamed and cursed at litigants.
The proceedings begin despite a request from Judge Watkins’ attorney at the end of December to delay them because Watkins planned to file for disability and retire.
The High Court denied the request on January 3 and Watkins took a medical leave of absence the following day.
The state Supreme Court will be considering the recommendation from the state Judicial Hearing Board that Watkins be suspended, without pay, until the end of his term in 2016.
Watkins has been on the family court bench since 2002.
