MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE
v.
Frank A. RUSSELL.
Supreme Court of Mississippi.
Luther T. Brantley, III, Jackson, for Appellant.
Jim Waide, Tupelo, for Appellee.
En Banc.
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF
SMITH, Justice, for the Court:
¶ 1. This case comes before the Court as a result of this Court's decision in Mississippi Commission, on Judicial Performance v. Russell,
I.
¶ 2. This Court's decision in Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance v. Russell was handed down on February 6, 1997. The effect of this Court's decision was delayed until the disposition of Judge Russell's Motion for Rehearing. By order of April 15, 1997, this Court finalized the sanction of $1500.00 and a public reprimand. The order included the specific directive: "All costs are assessed against Frank Russell." This Court's mandate of May 5, 1997, stated: "Russell is taxed with all costs of this appeal." The costs subsequently submitted by the Commission included $100.00 for the Supreme Court Fee; $2,559.50 for Transcripts; and $887.74 for Travel Expenses for Committee Members, for a total of $3,547.24. Judge Russell paid the $100 court fee but subsequently informed the Commission that he disputed any of the other expenses as being properly assessed as costs.
¶ 3. By letter dated July 21, 1997, the Commission attempted to have this Court's mandate enrolled as a judgement in the Hinds County Circuit Court. In response Judge Russell filed a Motion to Strike Enrollment of Judgment in the circuit court. By order dated June 26, 1998, the circuit court took the matter under advisement, finding that there had been no judicial determination *874 of the specific amount of costs to be awarded against Judge Russell, and that any judicial determination would have to be made by this Court. On July 15, 1998, the Commission filed its Petition for Extraordinary Relief with this Court, asking that a determination be made concerning the propriety of the costs as alleged. Judge Russell has filed his response.
II.
¶ 4. Rule 10(E) of the Rules of the Commission on Judicial Performance states:
E. Decision. Based upon a review of the entire record, the Supreme Court shall prepare and publish a written opinion and judgment directing such disciplinary action, if any, as it finds just and proper. The Supreme Court may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings and recommendation of the Commission. In the event that more than one (1) recommendation for discipline of the judge is filed, the Supreme Court may render a single decision or impose a single sanction with respect to all recommendations.
This Court has consistently assessed the costs of a formal hearing before the Commission on Judicial Performance to the judge who is the object of the hearing. See Mississippi Comm'n on Judicial Performance v. Whitten,
¶ 5. PETITION FOR WRIT OF EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF GRANTED. FRANK A. RUSSELL IS ASSESSED THE COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,547.24.
PRATHER, C.J., SULLIVAN and PITTMAN, P.JJ., and BANKS and WALLER, JJ., concur.
McRAE, JAMES L. ROBERTS, Jr. and MILLS, JJ., not participating.
