Judge Getz Gets Some of Judge Baker’s Duties

TYLER – County Court at Law No. 3 Judge Floyd Getz is being appointed to handle Smith County Judge Joel Baker’s judicial duties. This follows Judge Baker’s recent suspension without by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Administrative Judge Mary Murphy made the appointment this week. The appointment runs through the end of the year. At next Tuesday’s county commissioners’ meeting they will start the process of selecting an acting county judge.

Friday, Judge David Peeples filed the expected order dismissing the petition of a removal trial for Judge Baker. The petition had been filed by Grassroots America We The People. But the dismissal is not permanent. The organization’s executive director JoAnn Fleming said the judge left the legal door open for the suit to be re-filed should Judge Baker be acquitted of the three count indictment and remain in office.