Three judges in the blue state of New York have reportedly stepped down following serious allegations of misconduct. One judge admitted to believing that all defendants were guilty, another was implicated in a peculiar scandal, and a third was apprehended for driving under the influence. This left the state’s judicial investigative oversight body with no alternative but to compel all three judges to resign.

For context, in early 2025, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct released several press statements outlining its investigations into three judges: Richard Snyder, Louis Violanti, and Julie Kuck. The commission concluded that their actions fell short of the required judicial standards, necessitating their resignations.

In a press release dated February 4, 2025, the commission elaborated on Judge Snyder’s resignation. The commission reported that he expressed an inability to remain impartial after attempting to be excused from Grand Jury Duty. He repeatedly stated that all litigants who appeared before him ‘did something wrong’ and added, ‘I know they’re guilty because they did something wrong. That’s how they got a ticket.’

In light of Judge Snyder’s resignation, Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian criticized the judge’s conduct, stating, ‘It is bad enough that a judge would seek to avoid such a fundamental civic responsibility as jury service. It is astounding that the judge would claim an inability to be impartial, and to declare under oath that the accused must be guilty or they would not be in court.’