When Words Cost a Judge Their Seat

A judge in Cook County, Illinois, lost his temporary position after his past writings stirred up controversy.

The Incident

James R. Brown, a retired judge, was brought back to handle traffic cases due to a shortage. However, his return was short-lived.

Before his reinstatement, Brown wrote a piece for a website run by a former columnist. In it, he shared views that many found extreme. He questioned the results of the 2020 election, criticized prosecutors, and discussed other sensitive topics. His words caught the attention of two lawyer groups.

The Reaction

The Cook County Bar Association and the Chicago Council of Lawyers were not happy. They said Brown's comments showed bias and went against the rules for judges. These rules require judges to stay impartial and not show prejudice.

The Illinois Supreme Court agreed. They removed Brown from his temporary role, saying his comments could make people doubt his fairness. The Court also noted that Brown did not share these writings when he applied to return.

The Aftermath

Brown did not respond to requests for comment but spoke on a conservative radio show. He felt that conservatives were not welcome in the Cook County judiciary and that the Supreme Court had given in to pressure.

Others, like David Melton from the Chicago Council of Lawyers, were happy with the decision. He hoped that the Supreme Court would be more careful in the future when bringing back retired judges.