The Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards has publicly reprimanded Clay County District Judge Steven J. Cahill.
The board cited several instances when Cahill failed to follow the law. In one case the judge reduced the sentence of an immigrant who pleaded guilty to burglary because he was concerned a felony conviction might result in his deportation. The board says Cahill did so even though he knew of two appeals court decisions that said potential immigration consequences must not be taken into consideration for sentencing purposes. Cahill had expressed disagreement with those binding precedents.
The board also faulted Cahill for extensive chronic tardiness.The board ordered Cahill to determine the causes of his misconduct and encouraged him to seek professional help.
Cahill tells KFGO News that he's embarrassed, but he says the board's actions may be a "silver lining" in helping him deal with his issues.
Cahill says he believes he may be suffering from ADHD, although he's never been formally diagnosed. He's seeing a counselor about his tardiness.
Cahill says he will not appeal the board's findings and says he plans to seek re-election this fall.