Fellow judges slam Goetzke, reverse two decisions

Circuit Court Judge Paul G. Goetzke ignored the law by unilaterally altering an agreed-upon order and fining a defense attorney this spring, a panel of his fellow judges said in a blistering ruling yesterday.

The three Circuit Court judges, who reversed two rulings by Judge Goetzke, said they were most concerned by his fining Annapolis attorney Drew Cochran $10 after he questioned a ruling in a juvenile case.

Allowing that fine to stand would have a "chilling effect," making attorneys afraid to question judges' rulings and fight for their clients, the panel said in ruling that Mr. Cochran did nothing wrong.

"A judge's...