Legal Experts Weigh In on Complaint Against New York Judge Michael Lopez

On Thursday, September 11, 2025, 13WHAM reported that legal experts have weighed in on the complaint filed by Monroe County Executive Adam Bello against Rochester City Court Judge Michael Lopez. The complaint, submitted to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, alleges that Judge Lopez reversed decisions made by other judges in at least two recent cases.

Bello stated on Tuesday that there are repeat offenders in the community.

While some members of the public might question Judge Lopez’s decisions, attorney Vincent Merante said that Judge Lopez is entitled to make the calls. Judge Lopez was elected in 2019 and will remain in his position until 2028. Merante emphasized the importance of Election Day.

Merante clarified the process by which Judge Lopez allegedly overturns decisions made at night by other judges. According to Merante, individuals arrested in Rochester are arraigned at night by a CAP judge. The CAP (Centralized Arraignment Part) court is an after-hours facility. The judge is present only for the arraignment, and the defendant is then assigned a city court judge, such as Lopez, in the morning. As the court of jurisdiction, Judge Lopez handles the case in its entirety. Merante said that Judge Lopez can review the decision made by the CAP judge and increase or decrease bail, or do whatever he wants to do.

The official complaint from Bello raises the question of potential consequences for an elected judge following such an investigation. Retired Monroe County Court Judge Patricia Marks said that, in theory, Judge Lopez could be fired. Marks said that if significant ethical violations are found, there is a process for removal as an ultimate decision.

However, Marks said that in this type of case, any wrongdoing would likely result in some form of ethical corrective measures from the state’s Commission on Judicial Conduct. According to Marks, this involves working with the judge to determine the next steps, as the commission has different levels of responses they are permitted to take.