Judicial watchdog recommends removing town justice in Ontario County

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The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct has recommended that Canandaigua Town Justice Walter W. Jones be removed from office.

The commission found that Jones should be removed for repeatedly using the “N-word” in a parking lot after court one day, and for making racially insensitive comments in court five days later.

Jones, who is an attorney, has served as a town justice in Canandaigua since 1999. His current term expires on Dec. 31, 2027.

“The gratuitous use of a racial slur by a judge, repeatedly and with evident zeal, is shocking and disqualifying,” Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian wrote in a news release.

The commission’s determination has been sent to Court of Appeals Chief Judge Rowan Wilson.

After the commission makes a removal recommendation, it is the court’s practice to suspend the judge, with pay. A judge has 30 days to request full review of the commission’s determination by the Court of Appeals.

If Jones requests a review of the commission’s removal determination, the court’s practice is to continue the suspension while the review is pending.

If the judge requests review, the court sets a schedule for the parties to file briefs and appear for oral argument.

The Court of Appeals may accept or reject the commission’s findings or conclusions of law, may accept the determined sanction, impose a different sanction, or impose no sanction.

If Jones does not request review by the Court of Appeals, the Court of Appeals will remove him in accordance with the determination.