DETROIT LAKES — After a quiet warning didn’t work, the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards has publicly reprimanded a Wadena County District judge. Seventh Judicial District Judge Douglas B. Clark, who has also worked in Becker County District Court, was reprimanded because he has “failed to remain impartial and failed to be patient and courteous in multiple hearings.
In addition, he has failed to perform his judicial duties competently and diligently,” according to a Board on Judicial Standards news release. It’s not like he wasn’t given the chance to improve, according to the May 17 news release: “The Board and Judge Clark entered into a deferred disposition agreement in 2021 based on his demeanor and delay in handling his judicial duties. He violated the deferred disposition agreement by continuing his misconduct.
Because Judge Clark did not demand a formal hearing, this Public Reprimand is the final action in the matter.” Judge Clark mostly works in Wadena County District Court, but has also been involved in a number of Becker County cases. He declined comment on this story through the Wadena County Court Administration Office.
Public Reprimand of Judge D...
by Nathan Bowe According to a memorandum attached to the news release, the Board on Judicial Standards was “hopeful that Judge Clark's conduct would improve through the conditions in the 2021 Deferred Disposition Agreement. However, Judge Clark has not remediated his demeanor in the courtroom and h.