A judge in Oneida County, New York, is facing calls for removal from the bench due to misconduct at a high school graduation party in July 2022. Judge Erin P. Gall, along with her husband and son, attended the party where she engaged in offensive behavior. The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct described her actions as racially offensive and threatening, with Gall invoking her judicial office and making violent remarks.
The commission found that Gall’s behavior at the party was inappropriate and violated judicial conduct standards. She has the opportunity to appeal the determination before the New York Court of Appeals. Gall’s lawyer has stated that they disagree with the commission’s findings and plan to appeal the decision.
The incident at the party escalated when uninvited guests arrived, leading to confrontations and disturbances. Gall’s husband and son were involved in trying to control the situation, and Gall herself became involved in a heated exchange with four Black teenagers. She used profanity, threatened violence, and expressed bias against the teenagers, stating that they should be arrested.
In response to the incident, Gall cited her emotional distress and past trauma as contributing factors to her behavior. However, the commission emphasized that her actions were unacceptable and undermined the integrity of her judicial office. Gall’s conduct was deemed to be a violation of impartiality and professionalism standards.
The commission’s administrator, Robert H. Tembeckjian, condemned Gall’s actions, stating that threats of violence, racial prejudice, and favoritism towards law enforcement are unacceptable for a judge. The recommendation for Gall’s removal from the bench has been covered by various publications, including the New York Times and Law.com.
Overall, the case highlights the importance of upholding judicial conduct standards and the consequences of failing to meet these expectations. Gall’s behavior at the party has raised serious concerns about her ability to preside fairly and without bias. The legal community awaits the outcome of her appeal and the potential impact on her judicial career.
