EDITORIAL: Unfit for the bench

Perhaps disgraced Family Court Judge Steven Jones does feel shame. On Tuesday, he formally withdrew his candidacy for re-election and thus ensured that, at worst, he’ll be out of office in less than a year.

The gesture was clearly intended to sway the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, which is contemplating punishment for his romantic relationship with a prosecutor who appeared before him. Jones could be booted from the bench.

We can only hope. Jones has been on paid vacation for more than a year, suspended because of his indictment on federal fraud charges. If the commission doesn’t remove Jones from office, he still won’t return to work. He’ll continue collecting his $200,000 annual salary while he awaits trial.

We’re glad Jones had the decency to acknowledge he’s unfit for the bench and spare the voting public from his re-election pitch. Perhaps, after realizing that nothing will remove the stains he put on his robe, he’ll do the right thing and resign.