On Thursday, February 19, 2026, the New Jersey Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct announced the continuation of a formal hearing regarding Britt J. Simon, a municipal judge accused of making inappropriate comments during truancy cases in Somerset County. Simon, who served as a municipal judge for Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Somerville, and Raritan Borough, has been suspended from his judicial duties since February 11, 2025.
The complaint against Simon stems from allegations that he used aggressive and discriminatory language during truancy hearings, including threatening to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding undocumented families. According to the complaint, Simon allegedly referred to students as “garbage” and “filth of the earth.” He is also accused of warning a 14-year-old student that continued truancy could result in ICE detaining them or their parents. In one instance, he reportedly stated, “You miss another day of school and I’m going to personally have ICE here to pick you up.”
In response to the allegations, Simon acknowledged raising his voice and using what he described as “empty threats” during hearings. He explained that his approach was an attempt to motivate chronically absent students to attend school regularly. In an email to Presiding Judge Gerard Shamey, included in the filing, Simon wrote, “I have tried speaking to the kids, then yelling, then empty threats. Nothing works.” He emphasized that his intention was to encourage attendance, not to intimidate families.
Simon’s legal team has argued that his remarks were a strategic effort to steer students back to education without resorting to punitive measures like fines, which he avoided issuing to low-income families. He stated, “I am not going to fine a non-English speaking single mother that works two full-time jobs. Our fine means that family doesn’t eat that night.” Simon also claimed he received no formal training on handling truancy cases and had sought guidance from Shamey, who allegedly did not provide assistance. He disputed claims that he was counseled about his conduct, citing phone records and emails as evidence that no such discussions took place.
The complaint alleges that Simon violated several judicial conduct canons, including failing to uphold the law, exhibiting bias, and using inappropriate language. Simon has denied the charges and requested the complaint’s dismissal, asserting that his actions were driven by compassion and a desire to address truancy effectively. His filing described his approach as a “last-ditch effort” to connect with students emotionally and prevent further absenteeism, denying any intent to exceed his judicial authority.
The hearing will continue on Wednesday, February 25, at 10:30 a.m. in the Supreme Court courtroom at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, 25 Market St., Trenton.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
