On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Denver7 reported that Denver County Court Judge Barry Schwartz had been censured and suspended following an investigation into his conduct last year. The suspension, a result of a Denver Judicial Discipline Commission review, comes after Schwartz paid a defendant’s $1 bond in a courtroom hearing.
Mayor Mike Johnston issued the order for Schwartz’s suspension, which will last for one week without pay. The incident that triggered the investigation occurred during a bond forfeiture hearing related to a 2016 misdemeanor assault case. After the defendant’s representative stated she lacked the $1 bond but could retrieve it from an ATM, Judge Schwartz provided the dollar himself. An audio recording of the hearing was obtained by Denver7 Investigates.
Following the incident, Schwartz was reassigned and removed from hearing cases while the investigation proceeded. The censure order stated that Judge Schwartz compromised the impartiality, integrity, and independence of the judiciary by personally facilitating the posting of bail. The order emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting that the defendant was charged with a violent crime and had repeatedly failed to appear in court. This, according to the censure, posed a significant concern for the community and should have been treated with utmost seriousness by all parties involved, particularly the judicial officer.
The order further stated that Schwartz violated two rules of judicial conduct, which mandate that judges must act fairly, independently, impartially, and with integrity.
In October, Denver7 Investigates consulted legal experts Attorney Harvey Steinberg and retired Judge Dennis Maes, both of whom deemed Schwartz’s actions unethical, though they did not believe the incident warranted the loss of his job.
Denver7 Investigates sought interviews with Judge Schwartz and Presiding Judge Kerri Lombardi through emails to Schwartz’s attorney and a County Court spokesperson. Both interview requests were declined.
Judge Lombardi provided a written statement, expressing gratitude for the Judicial Discipline Commission’s thoroughness in addressing the matter. She acknowledged the difficulties such situations pose for everyone involved, including the judge, colleagues, and the community. Lombardi emphasized that the disciplinary process, while challenging, is essential for maintaining the integrity of the judicial system and public confidence in the judiciary. She affirmed the commitment to providing fair, impartial, and accessible justice to all who come before the courts, underscoring the importance of upholding the highest standards of conduct and professionalism.
Source: Denver7
