The state Court of Appeals has upheld a decision to remove Northport Village Justice Paul Senzer from his part-time position.
The court ruled that his behavior undermined the “undermined the dignity and integrity of the judicial system.”
“The impropriety of such language requires little discussion,” the state Commission on Judicial Conduct said in October. “Criticism of individuals involved in his clients’ case is not the issue here, nor is the use of profanity in communicating with his clients. However, as the Court of Appeals has held, using crude language that reflects bias or otherwise diminishes respect for our system of justice, even off the bench, is inconsistent with a judge’s ethical obligations.”
The ruling involves emails Senzer sent to private clients, and were not related to his village court work. In them, he used foul language to disparage litigants, opposing attorneys and a court attorney-referee.
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