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A Maui Family Court judge who was charged Tuesday with tampering with government records had submitted a letter that day saying she was retiring immediately, State Judiciary spokeswoman Marsha Kitagawa said.
The state attorney general filed a criminal complaint Tuesday against Judge Mimi DesJardins with regard to the alteration of 10 court documents in which a district judge determines, within 48 hours of a warrantless arrest, whether there was probable cause for the arrest.
The complaint says DesJardins altered the documents Feb. 17. Details were not disclosed.
First Circuit Judge David Lo has been assigned to temporarily preside on Maui over all criminal proceedings involving this matter, Kitagawa said.
The 51-year-old DesJardins is scheduled to appear at 10:30 a.m. May 2 at Wailuku District Court.
Her caseload is being handled by other Maui judges, Kitagawa said.
Kitagawa said Thursday of DesJardin’s departure, "We’re considering it a resignation, until the ERS (Employees Retirement System) can verify her status" that she has retired.
DesJardins’ attorney has not returned calls to the Star-Advertiser.