A hearing officer with the Louisiana Judiciary Commission is now weighing testimony about Shreveport City Court Judge Sheva Sims following allegations of judicial misconduct. The hearing officer's report will go to the commission, which will decide whether to recommend disciplinary action.
Sims, chief judge at City Court, acted unprofessional toward litigants in her courtroom, misused a court-owned vehicle and misapplied the law in multiple cases, the Judiciary Commission's chief executive officer said in a document outlining the case against her.
Sims, a judge since 2011, denies all the accusations.
A spokesman for the Louisiana Supreme Court, which has the final decision on disciplinary action, said an evidentiary hearing was held Nov. 18. The hearing officer, a retired judge, has not issued a report to the nine-member Judiciary Commission, which will make its recommendation to the Supreme Court. Discipline could range from a public censure to removal from office -- as well as a decision no action is warranted.
In a six-count notice of hearing outlining the complaint of unethical conduct, the Judiciary Commission's chief executive officer earlier this year said Sims brought the office of judge into disrepute.
"During your tenure as a judge, you have exhibited rude, abrasive and/or demeaning behavior toward litigants, court employees, your judicial assistants, and your colleagues," Chief Executive Officer Sandra Vujnovich wrote in the notice to Sims.
"Additionally, your demeanor has created an environment in which others tasked with sharing or confronting you with information contrary to your thoughts or opinions are reticent or refuse to do so out of fear that you may impose a negative consequence."
In her response, Sims denied the accusations. She said she treats people with respect; that any mistakes were not made in bad faith; and the allegations were based on isolated circumstances that do not rise to the level where she violated judicial canons.
"For over a decade, Judge Sims has observed and continues to observe a high standard of conduct in the discharge of her duties as a member of the judiciary," her attorney, Carl Hellmers III of New Orleans, wrote. "She follows the law and maintains professional competence and appropriate decorum in connection with all judicial proceedings before her."
The Judiciary Commission laid out a string of alleged improper behavior by a sitting judge:
In a 2022 eviction case, Sims was rude, abusive and dismissive toward the petitioner before issuing a ruling that ran contrary to the evidence in the case.
Sims' behavior toward a litigant in an eviction case was "yet another demonstration of a failure to be patient, dignified and courteous."
Sims used a City Court-owned auto as her personal vehicle for three weeks in early 2023, during which two tanks of gas were paid for by deputy city marshals who used their office Fuelman cards.
In another eviction case, Sims conducted her own investigation to get photographs and documents from the city property standards department, then conducted a line of questioning during a court hearing that created the appearance of advocating for one of the parties in the case.
Violated state law by releasing 10 defendants -- mostly domestic violence cases -- on their own recognizance. She also issued a bond order for a person accused of second-offense DWI without requiring installation of an ignition interlock device as a condition of release.
Sims' treatment of people who work in her court is so bad, the commission said, that some employees have had to be consoled while others have either resigned or asked to work with another judge.
Sims in 2015 was suspended for 30 days for improperly holding a city prosecutor in contempt of court even though the prosecutor had done nothing to warrant it, and for dismissing 15 criminal cases without the legal authority to do so.
In addition, she has been admonished by the Judiciary Commission for being habitually late for court and for improperly demanding disciplinary action be taken against a deputy city marshal after he told another City Court judge Sims had recessed her court.
Sims' lawyer noted that the commission has reviewed and dismissed several other complaints against her in the past as meritless.