Who Was That Masked Judge?

The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct has reprimanded a judge for an “inappropriate comment” made in open court to an audience that included criminal defendants, some whom were African-American.

In that growing body of judicial misconduct allegations relating to the COVID pandemic, the judge addressed the Tennessee Supreme Court’s face covering directive

the Grand Wizards of our Supreme Court said we have to wear these masks or words to that effect.

In response, the judge acknowledged the “perception problem” with the comment and indicated that it was a spontaneous statement that intended no disrespect.

The letter of reprimand noted both the racial insensitivity of the remark and that it impugned the higher court regardless of the judge’s intent

Once such comments are made, the damage is done.

(Mike Frisch)