Title: Matter of Bozarth

State: new-jersey

Issuer: New Jersey Supreme Court

Document:

127 N.J. 271 (1992) 604 A.2d 100 IN THE MATTER OF BENNETT E. BOZARTH, JUDGE OF THE PEMBERTON MUNICIPAL COURT. The Supreme Court of New Jersey. Argued March 26, 1991. Submitted January 28, 1992. Remanded May 7, 1991. Decided April 10, 1992. *272 Michael L. Barry argued the cause for complainant, Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (Patrick J. Monahan, Jr., Counsel, attorney). William J. Prout, Jr., of Tomkins, McGuire & Wachenfeld argued the cause for respondent (Hartman, Marks & Nugent, attorneys; William J. Prout, Jr. and William C. Sandelands of Tomkins, McGuire & Wachenfeld, on the letter brief). PER CURIAM. This action against respondent, Bennett E. Bozarth, a Municipal Court judge, arises out of a complaint filed with the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC). The ACJC found that respondent had dealt inappropriately with a defendant who was talking in respondent's courtroom, trivialized another defendant's right to counsel, and implemented an inappropriate system for handling tardy defendants. That system resulted in one defendant, who was charged with violating a parking ordinance, being handcuffed to a bench in the police station for several hours. Our review of the record leads us to conclude that clear and convincing evidence supports the findings of the ACJC. Accordingly, we find that respondent violated the standards of judicial conduct, and order a public reprimand. As found by the ACJC in its presentment, the relevant facts are: The most troublesome charges against respondent arise out of a third incident, one involving Pamela Beckford in the Pemberton Municipal Court. As described in the presentment, the essential facts are that Ms. Beckford was scheduled to appear at that session in response to a complaint charging her with violation of an ordinance that prohibited parking a disabled vehicle on one's property. The court session began at 10:00 a.m., and Ms. Beckford arrived five to twenty minutes late. Respondent called her case before her arrival. On hearing no response, he instructed the clerk to issue a bench warrant with a $400 bail requirement. When Ms. Beckford arrived, a township zoning official told her to report to the clerk's window. She complied. The clerk told her that there was a warrant for her arrest and she must post $40 to obtain her release. Ms. Beckford said she did not have that much money with her. At the clerk's instruction, a Pemberton police officer arrested Ms. Beckford and handcuffed her to a bench in the police headquarters, which are in the same building as the courtroom. She remained handcuffed for several hours before the municipal prosecutor informed respondent of Ms. Beckford's arrest. At respondent's direction, Ms. Beckford was brought before the court. She informed respondent that the reason she was late was that she had had to walk to the courtroom. Respondent released her on her own recognizance and rescheduled her case. After oral argument before us, we were sufficiently concerned to remand the matter to the ACJC for further information. In response, the ACJC provided us with more detailed fact-findings. The ACJC began its report by noting that although the witnesses did not agree on everything, their testimony was in accord on the material facts. We agree with the *275 ACJC that the testimony clearly and convincingly demonstrates the following facts: Based on its findings, the ACJC concluded that The ACJC found that respondent's conduct violated Rule 2:15-8(a)(6) and Canons 1, 3A(1), and 3A(3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Although the ACJC reported that "there is substantial sentiment that Respondent be removed," it recommended a public reprimand. One member dissented, considering it "improper to impute to Respondent the responsibility for any actions taken by the police officer after Ms. Beckford was arrested on the bench warrant." That member favored a private reprimand. We agree with the ACJC that the serious nature of the charges, particularly those involving Ms. Beckford, require a public reprimand. Control of the courtroom is a basic judicial responsibility. That control, however, should not be accomplished through *279 sarcasm and intimidation. Before the ACJC, respondent attempted to justify his actions in the Caceres matter by stating that Mr. Caceres Judges, particularly those who preside in the informal atmosphere that often prevails at municipal courts, must have some latitude in correcting disruptive behavior. Tempting as it may be to join issue with an unruly litigant, the judge, however, must rise above the fray. More harm than good is done by posing rhetorical questions such as respondent directed at Mr. Caceres, "[w]hy can't you keep your mouth shut?" Respondent would have done better by simply directing Mr. Caceres to be quiet. Concerning the Brayman matter, respondent sought to justify the manner in which he had advised Mr. Brayman of his constitutional rights by stating that Mr. Brayman had become disturbed because he apparently thought that respondent would not allow him to plead guilty. Thus, according to respondent, he adopted an offhand manner to calm down Brayman. At the hearing before the ACJC, respondent stated that he has since modified the manner in which he informs defendants of their constitutional rights. He was reluctant, however, to acknowledge the inappropriateness of the manner in which he had addressed Mr. Brayman. He testified: In sum, while informing Mr. Brayman of his constitutional rights, respondent simultaneously told Brayman that the advice was a "waste [of] your time." Both this Court and the United States Supreme Court take the right to counsel more seriously. We have consistently said that a judge's obligation to inform defendants of their right to counsel is of paramount importance. See State v. Gonzalez, 114 N.J. 592, 608, 556 A.2d 323 (1989) (municipal court's failure individually to inform defendant of his right to counsel was constitutional infirmity requiring remand for new trial). We agree with the ACJC that respondent's conduct was inappropriate. We cannot expect the public to maintain confidence in the judicial system if judges treat constitutional rights as minor obstacles to the disposition of cases. The most serious charge arises out of the Beckford matter. When he ordered issuance of a bench warrant on the first and only call of the list, respondent knew or should have known that nothing prevented its immediate execution. We do not doubt that respondent's inflexible attitude rubbed off on his court staff. Respondent's deputy court clerk testified that once she issued the warrant and the police officer arrested Ms. Beckford, the clerk had no further responsibility. As we have often noted, the municipal court is where "most citizens have their sole exposure to the judicial process. The respect they have for the judiciary hinges upon that experience." In re Mattera, 34 N.J. 259, 275, 168 A.2d 38 (1961). Municipal court judges are prominent in the community, and their reputations are quick to spread. A reputation for sternness *281 may be appropriate or helpful in some settings, but a judge should never attempt to cultivate such a reputation with displays of arrogance, bad temper, or disregard for the rights of defendants. Such conduct, even when used to maintain order, can erode public confidence in the judicial system. A fundamental purpose of judicial disciplinary proceedings is to restore that confidence. See In re Santini, 126 N.J. 291, 298, 597 A.2d 1388 (1991). All respondent's misconduct occurred in public, on the bench, while he was discharging his duties as a judge. The Caceres matter occurred less than one year after respondent had received a letter of admonition from the ACJC for "a pattern of over-reaction to situations" and had represented to the ACJC that he would change his approach and procedures. Respondent's denigration of Brayman's constitutional rights was unbecoming a judicial officer. The most disturbing impropriety involves the shackling of Ms. Beckford. So concerned were we that we remanded the matter to the ACJC for further fact-finding on that issue. We are satisfied that respondent did not have actual knowledge that Ms. Beckford was handcuffed to a bench in police headquarters. We are dissatisfied, however, with the procedures that yielded that result. As she presented herself that morning, Ms. Beckford was a citizen charged with the violation of a local ordinance who had missed the only calendar call and had arrived twenty minutes late. The deputy court clerk believed she was acting in accordance with standard operating procedures when she authorized the execution of a warrant for the arrest of Ms. Beckford. Even accepting respondent's testimony that he was unaware that Ms. Beckford had been arrested and was shackled to a bench in police headquarters, his ignorance is unacceptable. The judge is the ultimate authority in the courtroom. The judge's responsibility is to assure the existence of procedures and protocols *282 that will inspire public confidence in the courtroom as a place of justice. Accordingly, a public reprimand is warranted. So ordered. For reprimand Chief Justice WILENTZ and Justices CLIFFORD, HANDLER, POLLOCK, O'HERN, GARIBALDI and STEIN 7. Opposed None. The Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct having filed a presentment with the Supreme Court, recommending that BENNETT E. BOZARTH of the Pemberton Township Municipal Court, be publicly reprimanded for violating Rule 2:15-8(a)(6) and Canon 1, Canon 3A(1), and Canon 3A(3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct, and good cause appearing; It is ORDERED that Judge BENNETT E. BOZARTH is hereby publicly reprimanded; and it is further ORDERED that the entire record of this matter be made a permanent part of respondent's file as an attorney at law of this State.