Saranac Lake village justice censured

New York’s local court system is notoriously troubled. More evidence came this week with the formal censure of Paul Herrmann, a justice in Saranac Lake’s village court.

Here’s the summary from the New York state Commission on Judicial Conduct:

In a determination dated December 15, 2009, the Commission found that Judge Herrmann refused to accept a plea agreement because he wanted a disposition that would bring revenue to the Village, and that he engaged in improper political activity.

The ‘improper’ political activity involved nominating a Democratic candidate for a village trustee race in Saranac Lake.

In an interview with Nathan Brown at the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Herrmann said he wasn’t sure whether he would challenge the ruling.

He also indicated that he plans to run again for the elected office in March 2010.

Here’s how Brown summarizes the severity of the Commission’s ruling:

Censure is more severe than admonishment, which is also made public, but not as severe as removal or forced retirement. Commission proceedings are only made public if one of these determinations is made, unless the judge waives confidentiality.

The determination says Herrmann “states that as a result of these disciplinary proceedings, he will refrain from such political activity and improper public comments in the future and that he is more sensitive to the proper role of a judge.”

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