On Thursday, January 2, 2025, Anoka County Judge John Dehen was recommended for a six-month unpaid suspension due to accusations of misconduct. A state panel, appointed by the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards, issued the recommendation following a review of his conduct. The panel’s 23-page report, filed with the Minnesota Supreme Court, details several instances of alleged misconduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge John Dehen,” with case number A24-0694.
The report cites Judge Dehen’s attempts to rehire his court reporter at an unauthorized higher salary as undermining public confidence. Furthermore, the panel criticized his decision to conduct a remote hearing from his moving vehicle, deeming it a breach of decorum. The most serious allegations involve accusations of bias against non-citizen juveniles in guardianship cases. The panel concluded that Judge Dehen allowed his personal views on immigration to influence his decisions, resulting in rulings that were later overturned.
Attorney Evangeline Dhawan-Maloney, who represented several affected juveniles, expressed concerns about the judge’s actions, stating that they caused worry among immigration attorneys. The panel’s report explicitly states that Judge Dehen displayed bias against non-citizen juveniles seeking immigration benefits. While Judge Dehen acknowledged that holding court from his car was a lapse in judgment, he defended his guardianship rulings as mere errors of law. However, the panel deemed this defense unconvincing.
Both Judge Dehen and the Board on Judicial Standards have a ten-day window to appeal the proposed suspension. Despite the recommendation, court records indicate that Judge Dehen continued to preside over cases in Anoka County as of Friday, January 3, 2025.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
