On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, the Hartford Courant reported that a Connecticut family court judge withdrew his nomination for reappointment after facing criticism from legislators.
According to the article, Semi-retired Superior Court State Referee Michael E. Shay of Wilton was the only one of 19 judicial nominees who failed to clear the legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Shay had been nominated for reappointment by Governor Ned Lamont. The article stated that Shay asked Lamont to withdraw his nomination when it became evident that the committee would not reappoint him.
Shay was first appointed to the Superior Court in 2000 by former governor John G. Rowland. He became a semi-retired referee at the mandatory retirement age of 70. Legislators confronted Shay at his hearing about being admonished by the state’s Judicial Review Council for an alleged outburst directed at a person appearing before him in court. Shay acknowledged to the committee that he took out his frustration unprofessionally and regretted his actions.
In addition, state representative Steven Stafstrom criticized Shay for citing a dissenting Supreme Court opinion over the majority opinion in a previous case. The Supreme Court later issued a footnote in another ruling referencing “the trial court” and disapproving of Shay relying more on the dissent.
Given this legislative criticism over the past judicial actions, Shay withdrew his nomination when it became evident the committee would not reappoint him. The other 18 judicial nominees were reappointed without any noted issues.
Source: Hartford Courant
