The eluban.pl daily returned to the high-profile case involving the drunk judge. Here is what it established:
Two proceedings are currently underway against the judge. Dariusz K. has been charged in disciplinary proceedings with conduct unbecoming of the dignity of the judicial profession. The disciplinary case is being handled by the Regional Court in Zielona Góra. Independently, the prosecutor’s office in Zielona Góra is conducting criminal proceedings concerning driving under the influence of alcohol and is also seeking to have his immunity lifted.
What happened to the judge after this incident? The Lubań outlet reported:
After the high-profile incident (...) the National Council of the Judiciary decided to place Dariusz K. into retirement. In practice, this means that he receives 75 percent of a judge’s salary, increased by a seniority allowance. Many believe this is an attempt by the judge to avoid responsibility.
Let us recall. The incident occurred on the evening of August 18. The camper drove into a fence and then passed through several side streets, including near a playground. – My daughter said that the camper was driving in a zigzag – one of the residents told the eluban.pl portal.
The police were called to the scene. A breathalyzer test reportedly confirmed the presence of alcohol in the driver’s breath. The driver was taken to hospital, where blood was drawn for further testing.
We also reported at the time:
Residents are convinced that the perpetrator is a judge who, after everything happened, calmly went for a walk with his dog, saying: “No one will do anything to me.”
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Lubań confirmed that an investigation had been launched. As eluban.pl reports, the man was not charged because he is protected by judicial immunity. Only after it is lifted can the case proceed as it would against any other citizen.
Several injured parties have announced that they will not let the matter go and will seek justice.
(Source: eluban.pl: Driver with immunity. He destroyed cars and a fence with a camper).
Two days later, we reported that TVN24 had established that a judge of the District Court in Lubań had been behind the wheel of the camper. Onet.pl reported in turn:
A breathalyzer test showed that the man had two per mille of alcohol in his blood. The exact circumstances of the incident are being determined.
We also added:
The decision concerning the judge was already made by Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek. As TVN24 was told by Judge Małgorzata Lamparska, press spokesperson for the Court of Appeal in Wrocław, the head of the justice ministry decided on “suspending the judge from official duties for a period of one month.” However, this is merely a formality, since due to a medical ruling the judge has not been adjudicating for some time anyway.