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ROCKPORT - The Supreme Court of Texas has lifted the suspension against Aransas County Court at Law Judge William Adams. Earlier this year, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued only a pu… Click to Read More and see additional updates

ROCKPORT - The Supreme Court of Texas has lifted the suspension against Aransas County Court at Law Judge William Adams. Earlier this year, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued only a public warning against Adams as part of their review into misconduct on his part.

The most egregious of the complaints against Adams was a seven year old video posted online by his daughter that shows him using a belt, along with foul language, to discipline her. Adams did not face criminal charges for the incident.

In November 2011, he was placed on paid suspension during the review by the commission. Judge Adams has waived his right to appeal the public warning issued by the commission.

The lifting of the suspension order allows Adams to return to the bench in Aransas County immediately.

CORPUS CHRISTI - Judge Adams oldest daughter, Hillary Adams, who he was seen beating with a belt in an online video, is not happy knowing that her father could be returning to the bench.

Hillary and her mother, Hallie, have a lot to say about the news that the judge waived his right to appeal. Neither could believe he may be back on the bench in a few weeks.

Hillary Adams told us over the phone, "I am just really disturbed that this is how our justice system is working. They are protecting all the wrong people."

What is more surprising to Hillary, who'se father mainly handles family law cases, will continue his work with children even after the world got to see him beat his own child.

Hillary says, "A year of paid vacation is how we reward a hypocritical abuser of children who passes judgement on other parents. Welcome to America."

We also wanted to see how Hillary's mother, Hallie was handling the news.

The last time we spoke to her was about the public warning her ex husband was given.

This time we wanted to get her thoughts on the idea of her ex possibly seeing the bench again soon.

When we called Hallie she told us she was actually faxing a letter to the Supreme Court of Texas asking them not to lift the judge's suspension until they had also investigated her claims of abuse.

When asked what was going through her heard when she heard the news today, Hallie responded, "How can we stop him? How can we stop this?"

Hillary also posted a message to her father on our facebook wall that read, "Dad, if you're reading this, way to go. You have effectively removed the public's faith in our justice system. Also, thanks for disappearing, instead of y'know, BEING A FATHER."

Hillary and her mother Hallie have created two separate websites to educate the public about abuse, and to also try and raise funds for scholarships for victims of abuse.

If you want to know more, visit www.HallieandHillary.org or www.newleafscholarship.org.

CORPUS CHRISTI - Aransas County Court at Law Judge William Adams could be back on the bench in a matter of weeks.

Adams has been on paid suspension since November 2011 when a videotape surfaced showing Adams beating his daughter Hillary with a belt.

Hillary Adams posted the video online. She had secretly recorded the 2004 beating which happened when she was 16.

The taped beating put Judge Adams in the international spotlight. He's been on paid suspension since the video went public.

In September the State Commission on Judicial Conduct announced the results of an investigation into the incident.

They gave Judge Adams a public warning which amounted to not much more than a reprimand.

Judge Adams remained on suspension and had 30 days to appeal or ask the Texas Supreme Court to lift the suspension.

Judge Adams has decided to waive his right to appeal clearing the way for him to return to the bench in about 2 weeks.

ROCKPORT, Texas - Aransas County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams got off with a pretty light punishment related to that explosive video of him repeatedly spanking his teen-aged daughter Hillary with a belt. The spanking incident took place in 2004, but was released last November and spread worldwide.

Adams was eventually suspended from the bench by the State Supreme Court in November, and on Thursday was punished by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct in Austin. They issued him a 'public warning.' A public warning indicates an official finding of judicial misconduct, but it falls short of a suspension, the most severe penalty the Commission can issue.

When I first interviewed Adams last November outside his home about the controversial video, he told me he didn't feel he'd done anything wrong. It also appears he wont face any charges.

We were unable to reach him for a comment Thursday, but Aransas County Attorney Richard Bianchi told us "and just like with a jury, whether we totally agree or not, that's the system we have and we need to respect that decision and go forward."

Adams presides over cases involving child abuse, family violence, and assault. In it's release, the Commission listed 18 facts about the case, among them, the Commissioner of the state's Department of Family Protective Services has asked Bianchi 'to take action to prevent Adams from hearing CPS cases.' Bianchi said he'll do that.

Last November, the State Supreme Court suspended the judge from his elected position, with pay. Now, in order to return to the bench, Bianchi has to get permission from the state's highest court. "And I would add that it was an agreed-to suspension. Judge Adams and the Commission agreed to it and the Supreme Court issued it. That's why he has to go back there to have it lifted," Bianchi told us.

He also pointed out that Adams has 30 days to appeal the Commission's decision should he choose to do so, but his decision will impact how the county court system operates having visiting judges hear cases.

If the suspension is lifted, Adams would return to the bench to serve the remaining 2 years of his 4 year term.

CORPUS CHRISTI - The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct has issued a public warning in regards to Aransas County Court at Law Judge William Adams.

Last November, the judge's daughter, Hillary, uploaded video to Youtube showing her father beating her with a belt. Her mother is also seen in the video striking the then 16-year-old girl with a belt. Judge Adams and his wife had no idea they were being videotaped during the incident in 2004.

Adams was suspended from the bench - with pay - as the state commission reviewed the case. Local authorities did not pursue criminal charges against the judge due to the statute of limitations.

At this time Aransas County officials have not announced when or if Adams will return to the bench.

During the review, officials heard from several local attorneys who testified the video "created the public perception that the judge could not be fair and impartial in cases involving allegations of family violence, child abuse, or assault."

Attorneys also testified that Judge Adams "displayed anger and poor judicial demeanor toward certain attorneys appearing in his courtroom." "More specifically, witnesses recalled that Judge Adams often treated the now-former Aransas County Attorney, Jim Anderson ("Anderson"), in an unprofessional and discourteous manner, and frequently exhibited angry, undignified, and demeaning conduct when interacting with Anderson in the courtroom."

In the public warning officials wrote, "The Commission acknowledges that Judge Adams was not aware that he had been secretly videotaped, and that he was not the person who released the videotape on the Internet; however, because Judge Adams regularly presides over and decides child custody, child abuse, and family violence cases, his private conduct did cast public discredit upon the judiciary and the administration of justice, in violation of Article V, §1-a(6)A of the Texas Constitution."

"The Commission further concludes that Judge Adams' treatment of certain attorneys in his courtroom, particularly the now-former Aransas County Attorney, Jim Anderson, fell far below the minimum standards of patient, courteous and dignified 4 courtroom demeanor expected of judicial officials, and constituted a willful and/or persistent violation of Canon 3B(4) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct."

Click here to read the commission's findings