Judge should be admonished after calling double-parked teacher the B-word, commission says
A judge who called a teacher a “stupid b- - - -” because of her double-parked car should be admonished for the episode, according to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Image from Shutterstock.
A judge who called a teacher a “stupid b- - - -” because of her double-parked car should be admonished for the episode, according to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
The commission recommended admonishment for Judge Jill R. Epstein of the New York City Civil Court in an Aug. 14 determination made public Aug. 28.
The Legal Profession Blog noted the decision, while the New York Post has coverage.
The incident happened April 1, 2022, when Epstein was driving to work, according to an agreed-upon statement of facts. Epstein was blocked on a one-way, one-lane street near an elementary school because of a double-parked car. Epstein was unable to move her car because of a bus in front of her and cars behind her.
After waiting several minutes, Epstein got out of her car, walked into the school, found a school safety officer, and handed her a business card identifying Epstein as a supervising judge. Epstein asked the safety officer to make an announcement. She also noted that the double-parked car had a placard on the dashboard and asked whether it was real.
When the teacher went outside to move her car, Epstein became angry and called her a “stupid b- - - -.” Epstein “further stated, in substance, that she also had a placard but could not use it to double park, and that she had a courthouse to run,” the decision said.
Epstein was subjected to administrative action by her supervisors as a result of the incident, the determination said. According to the New York Post, she was removed as supervising judge.
Epstein later wrote an apology to the teacher.
Epstein violated ethics rules requiring judges to act in a way that promotes public confidence in the judiciary, and that ban judges from using the prestige of their office to advance their private interests, the commission said.
Epstein has 30 days to either accept the determination or seek review with the New York Court of Appeals. Her lawyer told the New York Post that she will accept the determination.
Epstein told the New York Post in a statement that she accepts responsibility for her actions, and she remains dedicated to being a judge.
“I acknowledge that even though I did not act in accord with my position in a moment of human frailty while off the bench, I have taken affirmative steps to better myself,” Epstein said in the statement.
