BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Civil Court Judge Jill Epstein has found herself in hot water after a road rage incident in which she verbally confronted a teacher during a traffic jam outside PS 261 in Boerum Hill, New York, on April 1, 2022.
The State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) has recommended that Judge Epstein be formally reprimanded for her actions.
According to the SCJC's determination, Epstein, 64, who assumed office in 2019, encountered a traffic jam on Pacific Street caused by a double-parked car in front of a bus.
Frustrated by the delay, she entered the elementary school and identified herself as a judge, handing her business card to a school safety officer. She demanded that an announcement be made over the intercom to have the car moved.
When the owner of the double-parked car, a teacher, emerged, a heated exchange ensued. Epstein allegedly called the teacher a "stupid b***h" and informed her that she too possessed a parking placard but couldn't use it to double park.
Jill Epstein admonished
The SCJC recommended the mildest public discipline available for Judge Epstein, citing her acceptance of responsibility and an apology letter she had written to the teacher involved. SCJC Administrator Robert H Tembeckjian emphasized the importance of judges upholding the integrity and dignity of their office both on and off the bench.
“A judge must uphold the integrity and dignity of judicial office at all times, on or off the bench, and avoid asserting the judicial title in personal situations, such as when frustrated by a traffic jam,” Tembeckjian said in a statement.
“Here, Judge Epstein forthrightly accepted responsibility and made amends, allowing for the mildest public discipline available,” he added.
“[Epstein] entered the school, identified herself as a judge to the school safety officer, said she had to get to work at the courthouse and asked about the vehicle,” per the Commission’s account of what took place.
“When the teacher whose car had been double-parked came outside to move the car, Judge Epstein became angry, called her a ‘stupid bitch,’ said she too had a parking placard but could not use it to double-park, and added she had a courthouse to run," it noted.
The SCJC's determination stated, "[Epstein] regrets her misconduct and acknowledges that, notwithstanding her frustration and anger over a minor traffic incident, her vulgarity and references to her judicial status undermined public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary and violated the rules."
In addition to the SCJC's recommended public admonishment, it's worth noting that Epstein, who earned $196,200 in 2022 per SeeThroughNY, faced further repercussions for her actions last year.
She was removed from her position as supervising judge in the civil court by Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks after school officials reported the incident to the state Office of Court Administration.
Jill Epstein's apology
Epstein's lawyer, Deborah Scalise, confirmed her client's acceptance of the SCJC's determination, expressing Epstein's desire to put "this unfortunate episode behind her so that she may continue in her service.”
In a statement, Judge Epstein herself accepted responsibility for her actions, acknowledging that her behavior did not align with the expectations of her position.
“I acknowledge that even though I did not act in accord with my position in a moment of human frailty while off the bench, I have taken affirmative steps to better myself,” Epstein said in a statement.
“I accept responsibility for my actions. I remain dedicated to being a judge, a position which is an honor and which I hold in the highest regard,” she continued, adding, “I will do my best to continue to ensure that justice will be served in my courtroom and to ensure that I meet the high standards expected of a judge.”
This incident comes on the heels of a prior controversy where Epstein submitted a typo-ridden application for a higher-paying state supreme court judge position.
The application oversight was noted by Brooklyn Democratic district leader Douglas Schneider, who questioned her attention to detail in a public Facebook post. “How can I consider you if you can’t even proofread your letter to me?” Schneider wrote.
While the SCJC's recommendation for public admonishment is pending finalization by the state Court of Appeals, Judge Epstein has publicly expressed her commitment to her judicial responsibilities and her desire to ensure that justice is served in her courtroom.
It remains uncertain whether Judge Epstein will pursue a Supreme Court judge position in light of these developments. State courts spokesman Lucian Chalfen offered no further comment, emphasizing that the SCJC's determination "speaks for itself."
