Robertson has been on administrative leave since June when the incident was first discovered after a court technician found evidence of adult sites on Robertson’s computer.
Justices involved in the decision said the canons of judicial conduct must hold judges accountable for any behavior that negatively affects the public’s opinion of the state’s judicial system.
“Public trust is essential to an effective judiciary,” the justices wrote.
Robertson had argued that his judgeship, as well as extensive hours spent volunteering at his church, had resulted in a highly stressful environment, and that he turned temporarily to porn for relief.
The adult websites found on his computer were allegedly viewed over an abnormally hard period in the judge’s life.
Robertson’s attorney told the court that removing Robertson would disrupt “the public's choice of who should serve in the judiciary.” But the court countered that the public also expects judges to be held accountable for their behavior.
“The public has expressed a choice to have a system of discipline which can result in a judge's removal from office,” the court wrote.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is expected to appoint a replacement soon.
Kansas is one of several states working to impose a statewide excise tax on adult products and businesses. The state will be holding a hearing on Oct. 18 to decide on the issue and have invited input from the adult industry.
