Former drug court judge defends himself

Incensed, Doyle and his wife discussed mortgaging their house to pay for his defense. It had cost $50,000 even at discounted rates, and they expected to spend another $100,000 to get through a final hearing by the Illinois Courts Commission, the state agency with the power to take away his job.

Gradually, though, their defiance melted into fatalism. Doyle had made powerful enemies, they thought, and the amended complaint was a sign they wouldn't stop until he was through. So in August, after 17 years on the bench, the judge retired.

"When you're taking the attack, and they start off with legal issues and then try to go to a temperament issue, then they tried to go to [further allegations], I finally said, 'You know what, I think it's just simply time,' " he says.

Back in the days when I was a reporter covering court cases, I occassionally ran into Doyle. I found him to be an open and engaging judge willing to allow journalists access not generally given to the public. He wanted the media to be able to convey to readers how his drug court was saving lives.

The stats he uses to support his case are compelling. But the charges against him are equally troubling.

The complaint said Doyle "has abused the powers of his office by systematically violating the constitutional and statutory rights of criminal defendants." Doyle, according to the complaint, "has engaged in intemperate acts of
intimidation, retribution and vindictiveness in response to those who have disagreed with the manner in which he has presided over judicial proceedings."

Doyle will always have his defenders, and I have no doubt his heart is in the right place. But in a country ruled by laws, the end cannot justify the means.