On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, the State of New York Court of Appeals removed Honorable Jeremy L. Persons, a justice of the Guilford Town Court, Chenango County in New York, from the judicial office for making inappropriate sexual comments in court and in chambers. The case is entitled “In the Matter of Jeremy L. Persons.”

On April 10, 2023, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct determined that the respondent should be removed from office for engaging in numerous acts of misconduct.

Judge Persons was found to have made sexually charged comments to and about attorneys appearing before his court. He also displayed bumper stickers on his car that read “Boobies Make Me Smile,” and failed to respond and appear in traffic resulting in two suspensions of his driver’s license. He was further found to have failed to file the required monthly reports, failed to cooperate with the Office of Court Administration audit of his court records, and failed to cooperate during the investigation and proceedings of the matter.

The report states:

“According to the news release issued by the Commission, Judge Persons did not file an answer to the formal written complaint as well as to the Administrator’s motion for summary determination dated November 4, 2022, resulting in the factual allegations of the complaint being sustained and Person’s misconduct being established.”

The report continues:

“Robert H. Tembeckjian, the administrator of the Commission stated that Judge Persons remarkable array of misconduct including offensive sexual comments in court, the gratuitous displays of a firearm, his failure to account for court funds, the disregard of his own traffic tickets, and his failure to cooperate with investigating entities–demonstrated his unfitness for judicial office.”

The commission’s determination was transmitted to the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. Hence, a decision was rendered by the latter. According to the Court of Appeals, the proof was obtained that Hon. Persons already received on April 6, 2023, the determination of the commission, findings of fact, conclusions of law, and record of the proceedings upon which the determination is based. However, no request for review has been made. In accordance with Judiciary Law, the court decided to remove the judge from the judicial office.

The Disposition states:

“ORDERED that the determined sanction is accepted, without costs, and Hon. Jeremy L. Persons is removed from the office of Justice of the Guilford Town Court, Chenango County. Chief Judge Wilson and Judges Garcia, Singas, Cannataro, Troutman, and Halligan concur. Judge Rivera took no part.”

Judge Persons, who is not an attorney, has served as a Justice of the Guilford Town Court since 2020. His current term expires on December 31, 2023. His courtroom is located at 125 Marble Rd, Guilford, NY 13780 and can be reached at +1 607-895-9966.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.