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Hardin Team Gets Suspension Lifted for Montgomery County Official

Rusty Hardin, Andy Drumheller and Cathy Cochran helped lift the suspension of Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal, the county's top government official. The suspension was issued by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which investigates allegations against judges. The legal team pointed out that in Montgomery County, Doyal serves as the county executive — not as judge who hears cases. And the state commission issued a rare ruling to withdraw the suspension as to Doyal’s executive duties.

Doyal was suspended temporarily because he was accused of a misdemeanor relating to open meetings. Doyal has vehemently denied the charge. “I felt like I did my job … to create a bond package that worked for the county and addressed the issue,” Doyal told the judicial commission in a hearing before the commission lifted the suspension.

Hardin persuaded the commission that it should not continue to exercise its suspension powers because Doyal is an executive officer, not a judicial officer. “This man is needed to help run the county, and it needs his reinstatement,” Hardin said. “If he wasn’t in this position, he would be paid, working and helping the citizens of Montgomery County.”