Judge who complained during hearings draws public reprimand from Supreme Court

CAMDEN – The state Supreme Court has issued a public reprimand to a judge who repeatedly complained from the bench during a temporary assignment here.

Superior Court Judge Michael Kassel was disciplined for multiple violations of court rules between April 10 and June 15, 2021.

The high court acted June 1 on a recommendation made in April by its Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct.

More: Prosecutor's remark tainted trial 'Unmistakably improper' Here's why Paulsboro man will face fourth trial in woman's slaying

In a presentment, the committee noted Kassel, who usually served in the civil division, had to handle family-law cases one day a week due to another judge’s illness during the 2021 period.

How are judges punished in New Jersey?

The state's Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct investigates complaints of potential Judicial Code of Conduct violations. If a complaint is found to be warranted and the judge has violated the conduct code, the committee can issue a private discipline or recommend the state Supreme Court mete out discipline.

In a private discipline, a judge can be given guidance; a caution; an admonition; a reprimand; or censure. Those are all done in a private letter to the judge.

In Kassel's case, the committee sent the case to the Supreme Court for discipline, which could have included a public admonition; a public reprimand; a public censure; suspension or the start of removal proceedings.

The court opted to issue a public reprimand.

Judge Kassel asked to be treated like 'a ninth grader'

According to the presentment, Kassel told Family Court participants that he lacked familiarity with their cases, did not know the relevant law, and was unhappy with his temporary assignment and how it was made.

At one hearing, it said, Kassel directed attorneys to walk him through their issues “step by step” and to treat him like “a ninth grader in high school."

Investigation found similar remarks in at least 15 other matters.

The review of Kassel’s behavior stemmed from a June 2021 complaint from a participant in a Family Court hearing.

Kassel faulted for not wearing robes

The committee found “clear and convincing evidence” that Kassel violated five court rules.

Some of those rules require a judge to observe high standards of conduct, to maintain professional competence, and to promote public confidence in the judiciary.

The committee said Kassel also failed to maintain order and decorum in court proceedings, and did not wear judicial robes during some proceedings in open court.

Kassel was cleared of two complaints alleging a potential conflict of interest at one hearing.

The committee recommended a reprimand in April, when it noted Kassel's acknowledgement that he made "inappropriate" criticisms and had "failed" people in the Family Court sessions.

The committee also cited Kassel's "lengthy period of committed service to the bench" as a mitigating factor.

Kassel was appointed a judge in 2001.

In announcing the reprimand, the high court said Kassel had accepted the committee’s findings and its disciplinary recommendation.

It also noted the judge had waived his right for a hearing before the Supreme Court.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email him at jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Superior Court Judge Michael Kassel disciplined over complaints