OHIO Judge should keep license if he stays sober, panel rules

COLUMBUS (AP) -- A disciplinary panel has recommended that a Franklin County judge convicted of drunk driving avoid having his law license suspended as long as he stays sober.
The Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline on Tuesday recommended that the Ohio Supreme Court suspend Judge John Connor's law license for six months only if he fails to meet a set of requirements.
Judge Connor signed a contract with the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program through March 26, 2006, that requires him to remain sober, submit to random urine screenings and to counsel substance-abusing defendants who appear before him.
The 64-year-old common pleas judge admitted at a disciplinary hearing last month that he violated rules governing the conduct of judges and lawyers when he was convicted of drunken driving twice in five years.
The Supreme Court typically rules on disciplinary recommendations within six weeks to two months and is expected to accept this one because Judge Connor has said he does not plan to contest a ruling that allowed him to keep his law license.
Judge Connor, a Democrat first elected in 1992, is seeking re-election in November.
Julie Hubler, his Republican opponent, said Tuesday that Judge Connor should realize that he must set an example. "A lot of people are giving him the benefit of the doubt," she said.