Louisiana Judge Suspended 9 Months by Supreme Court

Judge Sheva Sims Suspended for Nine Months

Judge Sheva Sims, who serves on the Shreveport City Court in Louisiana, has been suspended without pay for nine months by the Supreme Court of Louisiana. The decision came after a series of allegations against her, including inappropriate behavior towards litigants, misuse of a court vehicle, and improper advocacy during an eviction proceeding. Additionally, the court found that she engaged in a pattern of not following the law.

The Judiciary Commission of Louisiana had recommended a one-year suspension, but the Supreme Court opted for a shorter period. This decision highlights the severity of the issues raised against Judge Sims while also acknowledging some mitigating factors.

Background and Appointment

Judge Sims was appointed to the Shreveport City Court in December 2011. Her tenure has been marked by various complaints, including those from anonymous sources, litigants, and retired Justice E. Joseph Bleich, who served as a supernumerary judge pro tempore. These complaints led to a thorough investigation into her conduct.

Condescending Behavior in Eviction Hearing

One of the most notable incidents occurred during an eviction hearing involving Monarch Realty & Management v. Jermaine O’Neal. Megan Everett, representing Monarch Realty, appeared before Judge Sims. She explained that O’Neal had failed to pay rent, had an unauthorized pet, and owed court fines.

Judge Sims interrupted multiple times, clarifying that the Shreveport Environmental Court and the Shreveport City Court are separate entities. She also pointed out that the notice to vacate did not list each alleged violation. When Everett tried to explain that a second page was stapled to the notice, Judge Sims cut her off, saying, “You making this longer than it needs to be. Everybody here has somewhere to go. As a matter of fact, have a seat. Let me take the next case.”

After handling approximately 20 other cases, Judge Sims returned to the O’Neal matter. She asked whether the issues leading to the environmental court fines had been resolved. Everett confirmed that she hadn’t attended the environmental court proceeding because she was in city court for the eviction.

Judge Sims ultimately denied the eviction. However, when O’Neal asked if he needed to pay the outstanding rent for May, Judge Sims called Everett back. Despite Everett’s explanation that she couldn’t accept payments outside the office, Judge Sims ordered O’Neal to give the money to her immediately. She also instructed Everett to handle the late fees later, stating, “I don’t know. I’m not looking at it.”

Misuse of Court Vehicle

Another serious allegation involved the misuse of a court-owned vehicle. The Shreveport City Court purchased a vehicle for use by court personnel. While there was no written policy, there was a general understanding that it was not meant for personal use. The vehicle was kept in a parking spot at the courthouse, and a log was maintained to track its usage.

Judge Sims used the vehicle for weeks while her own car was being repaired. She parked it in her space at the courthouse and kept it at her home overnight and on weekends. On two occasions, officers with the Shreveport City Marshal’s Office used Fuelman cards to fill the vehicle for Judge Sims when the assigned card could not be located.

These actions raised concerns about the appropriate use of public resources and the integrity of the judicial process. The suspension of Judge Sims reflects the seriousness of these violations and the need for accountability within the judiciary.