News Summary
Judge Shelley Joseph is set to appear before the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct on June 9 to address serious accusations of judicial misconduct related to an immigration case. The hearing follows allegations of violating the ‘Code of Judicial Conduct’ after she allegedly assisted an undocumented immigrant, Jose Medina-Perez, in evading ICE. Despite federal charges being dropped, Joseph now faces formal allegations and maintains her innocence amid concerns for her judicial reputation.
Boston, MA – Judge Shelley Joseph is scheduled to appear before the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct for a hearing on June 9 centered around serious accusations of judicial misconduct related to an immigration case. The hearing will start with a tour of the Newton courthouse at 7:30 a.m. and will then continue at the Suffolk County Courthouse in Boston, where formal proceedings will take place.
The hearing is presided over by Attorney Denis J. McInerney, appointed as a Hearing Officer by the Supreme Judicial Court. Within the context of this hearing, Joseph faces allegations of violating the “Code of Judicial Conduct” by failing to adhere to the law, specifically concerning an incident from 2018. Details surrounding the case suggest that she allegedly assisted an undocumented immigrant, Jose Medina-Perez, in evading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a court appearance.
At the time of the incident, Medina-Perez had been previously deported twice and was facing a fugitive charge. In the wake of the incident, former U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling initially charged Joseph with conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice; however, these federal charges were dropped in 2022. Following the dismissal of the federal charges, Joseph’s case was referred to the Commission on Judicial Conduct, which subsequently accused her of failing to cooperate with investigators and being dishonest regarding the alleged misconduct.
Allegations and Response
The formal charges leveled against Joseph include claims of “willful judicial misconduct.” Despite the serious nature of the accusations, Joseph has consistently denied any wrongdoing and states that she had no prior knowledge of any plans regarding Medina-Perez’s evasion of ICE enforcement. She acknowledged her regret regarding the negative impact that this incident has had on the reputation of the Massachusetts judiciary.
Judge Joseph currently earns an annual salary of $207,855. Earlier in her career, she faced suspension in April 2019 following the federal indictment but was reinstated later that year after complying with the commission’s request for self-referral, indicating her willingness to engage with judicial review processes.
Hearing Structure and Broader Context
The upcoming hearing is expected to resemble a trial, allowing both the commission and Joseph’s legal team to present evidence and call witnesses. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for Judge Joseph’s career as well as the handling of judicial procedures concerning immigration cases in the state.
This case is part of a larger narrative concerning the interplay between state judicial authorities and federal immigration enforcement. It comes on the heels of similar incidents involving judges navigating complex immigration issues, including a recent case in Wisconsin that has raised similar concerns regarding judicial integrity and adherence to federal laws.
The proceedings on June 9 will provide clarity on the specifics of the allegations against Joseph and the strength of the evidence supporting the claims from the commission. As the hearing approaches, stakeholders within both the legal and immigration communities will be closely monitoring the developments and implications for judicial authority in immigration matters.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Suffolk DA Appeals Dismissal of Charges Amid ICE Controversy
Additional Resources
- Boston Herald: Judge Shelley Joseph’s ICE Defying Hearing
- Wikipedia: Judicial Misconduct
- Politico: Details on Judge Shelley Joseph’s Immigration Case
- Google Search: Judge Shelley Joseph
- Metro West Daily News: MA Judge Faces Removal Over Immigration Case
- Google Scholar: Judicial Conduct and Immigration
- New York Post: Judge Shelley Joseph Faces Hearing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Judicial Ethics
- Mass Lawyers Weekly: Judge Shelley Joseph Disciplinary Hearing
- Google News: Judge Shelley Joseph Hearing
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
