Chicago Judge Removed from Bench After Altercation with Deputies at Security Checkpoint
Updated: After an altercation over a set of keys last week at a security checkpoint of a building housing numerous courtrooms, a Chicago judge has been removed from the bench by a committee of Cook County Circuit Court presiding judges.
The committee said it took the action today against Cook County Circuit Judge Cynthia Brim after her arrest Friday on a misdemeanor battery charge at the Daley Center in downtown Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Brim was taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies and released on bond later in the day on Friday after being charged with misdemeanor battery.
The presiding judges gave three reasons for taking Brim off the bench:
First, she has been charged with a crime.
Second, there are allegations of inappropriate conduct by Brim that “indicate there may be the threat of injury to the public, the judicial branch of government or the orderly administration of justice,” the Tribune reports.
And, third, “there is reasonable cause to believe that a medical examination may reveal that Judge Brim presently is unable to perform her judicial duties.”
Articles in the Chicago Sun-Times and WGN provide additional details.
An incident also occurred at the Markham courthouse on Thursday, as Brim was hearing South Holland traffic cases, according to the articles. The articles provide details gleaned from unidentified sources, but there is no official account of what happened nor is there a recorded transcript.
The articles don’t include any comment from Brim or her counsel.
Updated at 6:33 p.m. to include coverage from Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and WGN.
