Judge Robert Adrian 'not recommended' to be retained in ISBA Judicial Advisory Poll

QUINCY, Il. (KHQA) — Adams County Judge Robert Adrian came under fire after he found an 18-year-old Quincy man guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old Quincy girl following a bench trial in October 2021, but he later threw out the conviction.

On January 3, 2022, when Judge Adrian vacated Drew Clinton’s conviction, he said the 148 days Clinton spent in jail was punishment enough.

Judge Adrian is up for re-election in November.

"I think it's the fairness, and following the rule of law," said attorney Katherine Daniels. "Judge Adrian had shown that he does not follow the rule of law. He's going to do whatever he wants to do."

Seeking to retain the bench, Adrian, along with other candidates, was reviewed by members of the Illinois State Bar Association in a poll.

Candidates are reviewed on meeting the requirements of office, integrity, impartiality, legal ability, temperament, court management, health, and sensitivity.

Candidates must receive at least 65% "yes" responses to the question of whether the candidate meets the acceptable requirements for office to be recommended.

Judge Robert Adrian was not recommended for retention.

KHQA's Zach Richardson spoke with attorney Katherine Daniels who said she was disappointed with some of Adrian's decisions and says the results from the poll show that many others were as well.

"That was a conglomerate of a bunch of things, a bunch of measures that he really fell short on," Daniels said. "I think that his behavior, particularly in the Drew Clinton case, indicates that he does not have temperament, he does not have the sensitivity, he is not somebody who should be a judge."

Judge Robert Adrian received a score of 29.55% by respondents who said "yes" to the "meets requirements" question, resulting in him not being recommended for retention. It was the third lowest rating amongst the 117 candidates across the state of Illinois.

Judge Adrian commented to reporter Zach Richardson over the phone; Adrian said, "The evaluation poll is meaningless and has been for years." He also said, "The ratings are only used to attack certain judges."

Daniels says Adrian seeking retention didn't sit well with many and could have an impact come the November election.

"I certainly hope that the voters will look at that and realize that they have the power to say no, that he should not be retained and he should not be a judge," Daniels said. "The question is, should Judge Adrian be retained, and they can either answer yes or no, and I think the answer, based on this poll, indicates that he should not be."

These poll results pertaining to Judge Adrian come from 46 respondents in the Eighth Judicial Circuit, which include Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Mason, Menard, Pike and Schuyler counties.