NY's High Court Orders Removal of LI Village Justice Over 'Sexist,' 'Profane' Remarks
The state Court of Appeals ruling upholds a determination made by the state's Commission on Judicial Conduct, which recommended that Northport Village Court Justice Paul Senzer be removed from the post.
June 23, 2020 at 05:44 PM
3 minute read
New York's highest court on Tuesday ordered the removal of a village justice in Suffolk County after a state commission found he used sexist and profane remarks in emails.
The state Court of Appeals ruling upholds a determination made by the state's Commission on Judicial Conduct, which recommended that Northport Village Court Justice Paul Senzer be removed from the post.
The commission found Senzer used derogatory terms including "bitch" and "c**t on wheels" to refer to people in a visitation matter he was involved in as an attorney in Family Court. The commission also found he used the terms "a**hole" and "scumbags" in emails while referring to people.
In the opinion released Tuesday, the state Court of Appeals described statements from Senzer as "manifestly vulgar and offensive." The court ruled the language "showed a pervasive disrespect for the system" and "indicated that he is unable to maintain the high standard of conduct we demand of judges."
The court said Senzer's behavior undermined the judicial system's integrity and dignity.
"Petitioner's misconduct cannot be explained as an isolated or spontaneous slip of the tongue, as the statements—repeated multiple times—were included in deliberative, written communications petitioner made to these clients relating to their legal representation," the opinion read.
Judges are accountable for their behavior at all times, according to the ruling. The court said it's not an excuse that Senzer's comments were included in messages sent to only two clients. And despite that Senzer was not acting in his judicial role, his conduct still warrants his removal, the court stated.
"Because judges carry the esteemed office with them wherever they go, they must always consider how members of the public, including clients or colleagues, will perceive their actions and statements," according to the opinion.
"A judge's role is to cultivate respect for the judicial process and its participants—petitioner did just the opposite," the court ruled.
An attorney for Senzer could not be immediately reached Tuesday.
The state commission recommended last year that Senzer be ousted from the bench.
Robert Tembeckjian, commission administrator, issued a statement saying they appreciate that the state's high court "both exemplifies and enforces the highest standards of judicial conduct, on or off the bench."
"It is a sad and unpleasant duty to remove a judge from office for behavior that undermines public confidence in the integrity of the courts," he said in the statement.
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