A bizarre situation unfolded in Wisconsin this week after a judge was suspended by the state's Supreme Court for trying to arrest a defendent in 2o21.

According to The Hill, Dane County Judge Ellen Berz was suspended by the state's high court for trying "to arrest a hospitalized defendant herself after he didn’t show up for trial."

Though the weird incident unfolded in 2021, a judicial conduct review panel decided that the judge acted "impulsively," adding that it believes she failed to carry out her duties without bias.

The consequence for her actions included a seven-day suspension. While that doesn't sound like much, the mark on her record is much worse.

What happened?

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is in charge of handing down such disciplinary actions for judges in the state, and it issued its reasoning why it believes the suspension was necessary.

"We believe that the recommended seven-day suspension is of sufficient length to impress upon Judge Berz the necessity of patience, impartiality, and restraint in her work, and to demonstrate to the public the judiciary’s dedication to promoting professionalism among its members."

It added, "Judges must maintain objectivity, open-mindedness, and decorum, even when — especially when — they are faced with trying circumstances."

The Hill noted:

The court order detailed a December 2021 incident in which Berz presided over an operating while intoxicated case. The defendant did not show up for the trial on the day it was set to begin. His attorney told Berz the defendant was admitted to the hospital.

While a judge in that scenario should issue a bench warrant for not appearing, Judge Berz obviously tried to take it into her own hands, directing a staff member to find the defendant's location.

When the defendant was located, a bailiff reportedly wasn't able to leave the courtroom to arrest him, so she decided she'd try to do it herself.

Gets worse

Berz even had the defendant's attorney ride with her to the hospital where the defendant was, but ultimately turned around.

The Hill explained:

However, Berz turned around after the defense attorney told her the trip was a bad idea because the judge must remain neutral in the case, the complaint read.

That's when Berz returned to the courtroom and issued a warrant instead.

However, the intent was already obvious, and now she's paying for her poor choices.