Bronx Cheer

A press release of the New York Commission on Judicial Conduct describes a recent censure of a Bronx County judge

The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct has determined that Naita A. Semaj, a Justice of the Supreme Court, 12th Judicial District (Bronx County), should be censured for repeated poor demeanor on the bench, particularly toward assistant district attorneys (ADAs).

Judge Semaj agreed to the censure.

Between March 2022 and April 2023, Judge Semaj unjustifiably ejected three ADAs from her courtroom, yelled at ADAs who appeared before her, made sarcastic comments about them, and inappropriately commented on the pregnancy of one of them. In its determination the Commission stated that Judge Semaj, who despite being counseled by an administrative judge, “continued to be impatient and discourteous toward assistant district attorneys who appeared before her which created at least the appearance of bias against them.” In accepting the jointly recommended sanction of censure, the Commission noted that the judge “acknowledged that her conduct was improper and warrants public discipline.” Judge Semaj has been a Justice of the Supreme Court, 12th Judicial District, since 2022, having previously served as a Judge of the New York City Civil Court, Bronx County, from 2019 to 2021. Her current term expires on December 31, 2035.

(Mike Frisch)