On Monday, September 23, 2024, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct announced the resignation of John D. Kinsella, a Justice of the Geddes Town Court in Onondaga County. His resignation comes while he is under investigation by the Commission concerning a complaint related to his health, which was reported to affect his ability to perform his judicial duties.
The investigation began in August 2024 when the Commission informed Kinsella that they were examining allegations that his declining health was impeding his judicial responsibilities. Following this notification, Kinsella submitted his resignation in a letter dated August 26, 2024. In this letter, he also agreed to refrain from seeking or accepting any future judicial position. This stipulation was accepted by the Commission, with both Kinsella and the Commission’s Administrator signing the agreement.
Kinsella, an attorney, had served as a Justice of the Geddes Town Court since 2001. His current term was set to expire on December 31, 2025. As part of the resignation process, Kinsella waived the confidentiality provisions typically associated with Commission proceedings, allowing the stipulation and the Commission’s acceptance order to be made public.
The Commission’s Administrator, Robert H. Tembeckjian, issued a statement regarding the situation, highlighting the balance the Commission must maintain between compassion for individuals and its duty to ensure the public’s safety and the integrity of the judicial system. He expressed well-wishes for Kinsella as he transitions from his role on the bench.
A copy of the press release can be found here.
