Judicial candidate who donned robes barred from taking office

The state Supreme Court has suspended the law license of Rhonda Crawford, a candidate for Cook County judge who faces criminal charges for donning judicial robes and allegedly presiding over cases earlier this year.

The ruling by the court also bars Crawford from taking her oath of office is she should win a seat on the bench in next week's election.

Crawford, who is running for a seat in the 1st Judicial Subcircuit, has continued her campaign despite the fallout from her decision to put on judge robes in August and hear three cases in Judge Valerie Turner's court at the Markham courthouse.

With no opponent on the ballot next Tuesday, Crawford is a virtual lock to win but the order issued Monday by the Supreme Court spells out that she is not to be sworn in.

Crawford has admitted to "shadowing" Turner at the judge's suggestion, and has said she sat in Turner's chair as the veteran judge decided the last three cases on her call on Aug. 11, playacting that prompted investigations by both the state Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and the Cook County State's Attorney.

For the full story, click <URL destination="http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/judicial-candidate-who-donned-robes-barred-from-taking-office/">here.