On Monday, December 16, 2024, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct announced that James A. Bradshaw, Jr., a Justice of the Rotterdam Town Court in Schenectady County, has resigned from his position following formal charges of judicial misconduct. The resignation comes after a complaint was filed against him in August 2024, detailing various inappropriate actions and remarks made during his tenure.
The Commission’s complaint outlined several allegations against Judge Bradshaw, including making derogatory comments about litigants. Specifically, he referred to individuals appearing before him as “animals” during a meeting with town officials and questioned the qualifications of an Assistant Public Defender by stating it was “questionable” that the Assistant Public Defender was actually an attorney. These remarks were made despite prior counseling from supervising judges.
Additionally, the complaint accused Judge Bradshaw of failing to adhere to legal standards and acting without impartiality. He reportedly imposed consecutive jail sentences for defendants based on an unfounded belief regarding their cases and made assumptions about a defendant’s drug use without evidence. Furthermore, he dismissed a prosecutor’s recommendation in a Petit Larceny case as insignificant and set bail without considering necessary factors, which led to a defendant being unnecessarily detained for six days.
As part of the resignation agreement, which was formalized on November 21, 2024, Judge Bradshaw waived his right to confidentiality regarding the Commission’s proceedings, allowing the details to be made public. His resignation is effective December 31, 2024. Notably, Bradshaw has served as a Justice since 2016 and was not an attorney. His current term would have expired on December 31, 2027
The Commission’s Administrator, Robert H. Tembeckjian, emphasized the importance of judicial conduct, stating that judges are expected to apply the law competently and treat all court participants with respect. He noted that this case exemplifies the seriousness with which the Commission approaches violations of judicial obligations.
A copy of the press release can be found here.
