New Jersey Judge Britt J. Simon Recommended for Removal Over Deportation Threats to Students
On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the New Jersey Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct recommended the removal of municipal court judge Britt J. Simon, who allegedly threatened truant students with deportation.
The case is entitled "In the Matter of Judge Britt J. Simon," with case number ACJC 2025-257.
The majority of the committee found that Simon engaged in misconduct by bullying three students and their parents to coerce compliance. This recommendation stems from incidents that occurred during separate hearings in August 2024 and January 2025.
In a presentment authored by committee chair Carmen Messano, the panel stated that Simon's actions demonstrated a lack of sound judgment and self-control, and created an appearance of ethnic and socioeconomic bias against individuals who frequently appear in municipal courts. Messano further noted that Simon's repeated refusal to accept responsibility for his conduct and his attempts to deflect blame exacerbated the harm caused. Seven members of the committee supported the recommendation for removal.
However, three other members of the panel, while agreeing that Simon's conduct was unacceptable, dissented on the appropriate disciplinary action. They pointed to Simon's relatively short tenure as a judge, having begun his municipal court service in Bridgewater, Somerville, and Raritan in January 2023 and adding Bound Brook in January 2024.
These members suggested alternative measures, such as requiring Simon to undergo training on implicit bias, prejudice, and harassment at his own expense, before allowing him to return to the bench. Another panel member, Robert T. Zane, concurred that Simon's suspension without pay, which began in February 2025, was appropriate and additionally recommended a public censure.
The Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct considered testimony over two days in January and March before issuing its findings and recommendations.
During the hearings, committee members heard recordings of Simon allegedly making derogatory remarks towards a boy from El Salvador, referring to him as "a beggar, piece of garbage" and threatening to report him to state child protective services, who he claimed would then alert Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to deport his mother.
Simon reportedly told the boy, "Your mother’s going to get deported. You are going to end your mother’s life. You’re spitting in the face of this country. Would you like me to spit in your face? Somebody’s giving you something and you’re spitting on it. You are disgusting."
In another instance, occurring shortly after President Donald Trump's inauguration, Simon allegedly warned a 14-year-old boy from El Salvador, "Hey, there’s a new sheriff in town." He is quoted as saying, "You’re illegal, you’re getting deported. You know a great place to find people to deport is? The courts. You’re bringing your mother in here because of your bad behavior. You’re not a U.S. citizen, either. You think I’m kidding? The ICE officials wait outside the door for people like you."
Simon also allegedly told a girl that he would have her placed in a group home, and that ICE agents would come for her mother, warning her, "You better not sleep. Don’t close your eyes. I’m not kidding you. You’ll have everything you own stolen. You will be beaten. Is that the kind of life you want? You want to go to a Newark group home? Why are you not going to school? Answer me. Answer."
Chair Messano emphasized that such outbursts not only undermine the dignity and integrity of the court but also suggest bias and a lack of impartiality, constituting an abuse of authority. He further stated that these actions violated the judicial code of ethics and directives from the state Supreme Court.
New Jersey's Supreme Court permits judges to collect immigration-related data only when it is deemed necessary for a legitimate court purpose. Judges are allowed to inform defendants of potential immigration consequences at specific points in the court process: during the judge's opening statement for each court session, at a defendant's initial appearance, and as part of a guilty plea colloquy.
Messano argued that Simon's inquiries into the students' immigration status served no legitimate purpose and that truant students are not defendants. Truancy in New Jersey is classified as a civil disorderly persons offense, with charges typically directed at the parent or guardian.
The presentment concluded that Simon used the vulnerability of undocumented immigrants as a means to intimidate, misrepresented the law, and invoked powers belonging to the executive branch, which are not available to the judicial branch.
The ultimate decision on disciplinary action rests with the state Supreme Court, which will review the recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
