Szczecin Court President Suspends Judge Arrested for Drunk Driving

The president of the District Court in Szczecin, Grzegorz Kasicki, has suspended a judge for one month after the jurist was caught driving under the influence. The judge, who presides over the Criminal Division of the District Court, was detained by police late Sunday evening near Gryfino while operating a private vehicle.

Following the arrest, police notified the prosecutor's office, and a formal request regarding the incident reached the District Court president on Monday. Kasicki confirmed that he had scheduled an urgent meeting of the court's collegium, which supported the decision to suspend the judge. Citing Article 130, Paragraph 1 of the Act on the System of Common Courts, Kasicki issued the suspension, effective for one month or until a decision is made by the disciplinary court.

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For a period of one month or until the decision of the disciplinary court.

Kasicki also initiated proceedings to remove the judge from his position as head of the Criminal Division. This action is being taken under Article 11, Paragraph 3a of the same act. The incident has also been reported to the president of the Szczecin Court of Appeal, who has informed the deputy disciplinary spokesperson. The spokesperson will determine whether to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

The judge was reportedly on vacation at the time of the incident. The Szczecin Regional Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation, and the case materials will be transferred to the Internal Affairs Department of the National Prosecutor's Office. If a disciplinary court imposes a longer suspension, the judge's ongoing cases will be reassigned to other judges within the Criminal Division.

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Materials concerning this proceeding will be transferred to the Internal Affairs Department of the National Prosecutor's Office.