Aussie judge arrested, charged with abuse
A Supreme Court judge is facing criminal offences for the first time in 200 years after the Tasmanian man was charged with assault and emotional abuse.
Supreme Court Justice Gregory Geason, 62, appeared before Hobart Magistrates Court in an out-of-session sitting on Friday night after he was charged with the two offences.
The media was refused access to proceedings with the Tasmanian Department of Justice confirming the court was restricting any reporting of the name of the “affected person” in accordance with the Family Violence Act.
Justice Geason was granted bail and the matter will be heard on February 6 next year.
The Supreme Court judge was reportedly escorted from the building, using a back entrance to avoid waiting media outside.
Tasmania Police confirmed a 62-year-old Hobart man had been arrested and charged on Friday.
“The man has been charged with one count of common assault, as well as one count of emotional abuse,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.
Justice Geason was appointed to the Tasmanian Supreme Court in November 2017, having practised law for nearly 40 years.
In a dramatic turn, Chief Justice Alan Blow was forced to stand down Justice Geason in early November, with limited details surrounding the move.
In a short statement to the media, Attorney-General and minister for justice Guy Barnett said a Supreme Court judge had been asked to “take leave without further notice” upon the command of the Chief Justice.
“Today I met with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in relation to a significant matter involving a Judge,” the statement read.
“The Chief Justice has asked the Judge to take leave until further notice."