DALLAS -- State District Judge Jeanine Howard is coming under more scrutiny.
News 8 has learned the judge is requiring defendants contribute money to a charity of her choice as part of their probation conditions. Experts say that is wrong.
“A judge can not do that," said Lillian Hardwick, a judicial ethics attorney.
Former District Judge John Cruezot said he's never seen it done by another judge.
"She does it, and I have not seen anyone else do it," he said.
Court documents show Judge Howard required a defendant pay $200 to the Society of St. Vincent De Paul Pantry, which is a Catholic charity. Howard is Catholic and a member of Christ the King Church.
The State Commission on Judicial Conduct has issued an opinion on this issue in the past.
“Judicial power should not be used to force litigants to provide gifts or services to specified charities or to other organizations; judges should not be choosing among competing charities," the opinion states.
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District judge required defendant to contribute to Catholic charity
