A judge must “be faithful to the law and maintain professional competence in it.” La. Code of Jud. Conduct, Canon 3(A)(1). As explained in the per curiam opinion, the law providing for the manner in which to accept and record criminal verdicts is both fundamental and clear, see La.C.Cr.P. arts. 810, 811, as is the law barring judges from meeting privately with the jury during deliberations, see La.C.Cr.P. art. 791; see also State v. Frisby, 19 La.Ann. 143 (1867). Here, the trial judges blatant violation of these laws shocks the conscience and implicates Canon 3(A)(1) of the Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct.
Crichton, J., additionally concurs and assigns reasons.