A former state trooper and Guadalupe County Judge Michael Thomas Wiggins, 58, was almost late for a conference of judges this week . . . he had to make bail to be released from jail on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.

Wiggins was arrested after police detected “an overwhelming odor of marijuana” in the judge’s room at the local Hilton hotel in College Station. Wiggins was due to attend the V.G. Young Institute: School for County Commissioners Courts.

Wiggins was arrested with possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and police report that he admitted that he was smoking pot.

The arrest for a misdemeanor does not always lead to the removal of a judge from the bench or a resignation. However, it seems likely in this case. Judges are occasionally charged with DUI but do not always leave the bench.

Do you feel that 2 ounces of marijuana should be grounds for removal?

Here is his court bio:

Mike Wiggins was elected Guadalupe County Judge after winning the Republican Primary Runoff on April 11, 2006. He was sworn into office on January 1, 2007, becoming the 31st Guadalupe County Judge. And, he is a native Texan!A retired Texas DPS Sergeant, Wiggins has served his State for thirty years; the last fourteen years were served here in Guadalupe County where he was responsible for the DPS operations, he received extensive budget experience with the Texas State Legislature and was responsible for the local emergency management operations. He received his Police Administration Diploma from Northwestern University, and continuing coursework from St. Edwards University and Lamar University.

Active in many civic organizations, he was a founding board member of the Seguin Outdoor Learning Center and the Guadalupe County Children’s Lodge; he has served as president of the DPS Officers Association; past president of the Seguin Little League Board; an active board member of Buck Fever, Committee Chairman of Bass Fever; a booster member of Seguin Sports; an active member of the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Seguin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

In his campaign for County Judge, Wiggins pledged to provide a new level of leadership, guidance and direction of the County, to advocate for emergency services, seek federal funding, and continue to support and preserve the ranching and agricultural heritage of Guadalupe County.

Source: San Antonio as first seen on ABA Journal