Fix the Court is applauding the Fifth Circuit for releasing information this week about misconduct complaints against N.D. Texas Judge Ada Brown.

Bloomberg Law broke the news over the weekend that, per a judicial investigative body called a special committee, Judge Brown likely “suffers from a temporary or permanent mental condition that interferes with her ability to perform the responsibilities of her office.”

Based on that assessment, the Fifth Circuit’s judicial council on Sept. 29 ordered that Judge Brown be stripped of her cases for three months, which N.D. Texas Chief Judge Reed O’Connor did on Oct. 5.

On Monday, the Fifth Circuit released several orders and statements related to the misconduct proceedings, including the complaint identified by Chief Judge Elrod and an order that Judge Brown appear for an interview next week, which are posted here.

Yesterday, the Circuit released an order that responds to a note Judge Brown submitted over the weekend saying she’s declining to participate in the misconduct process. The order requires Judge Brown to answer certain questions by Tues., Oct. 27.

Last week, Fix the Court wrote to the Fifth Circuit recommending that they acknowledge of the existence of the complaint and release any orders issued during the process as a means to reassure the public that the circuit was taking the allegations of misconduct seriously.

We’re pleased to see that happen and hopes this episode wraps up soon, with Judge Brown agreeing to resign.