Judge Accused of Enabling Immigrant to Escape ICE Gets a Rare Public Reprimand
The court said her suggestion to hold the defendant overnight and her order to stop audio recording created an appearance of impropriety.
- On Thursday, the Supreme Judicial Court issued a public reprimand against Newton District Court Judge Shelley Joseph for her conduct during a 2018 hearing, concluding her actions created an "appearance of impropriety" involving a defendant sought by ICE.
- During a 2018 hearing, Joseph was accused of colluding with the attorney for defendant Jose Medina-Perez to help him evade ICE agents, though the commission found she lacked knowledge of an "escape plan."
- The SJC also reprimanded Joseph for violating rule 211 and rule 1.1 by instructing the clerk to turn off courtroom audio recordings during the arraignment, capping a seven-year legal saga that saw federal charges dropped in 2022.
- Attorney Elizabeth Mulvey stated the eight-year period was "incredibly long and difficult" and praised the hearing officer for showing the federal prosecution was "baseless," while Joseph remains a judge in administrative duty.
- The case mirrors that of former Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan, who resigned in Milwaukee County after facing impeachment threats, highlighting the ongoing clash between local authorities and federal immigration officials over immigration enforcement.
22 Articles
22 Articles
US judge accused of enabling immigrant to escape ICE gets rare public reprimand
BOSTON (AP) — The highest court in Massachusetts on Thursday issued a public reprimand against a district court judge who was accused of allowing an immigrant to escape US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. The case dates back to 2018 when Judge Shelley Joseph was accused of colluding with the immigrant’s attorney and a court officer to allow him to escape out a back door of the courthouse after a hearing on charges that included drug …
Mass. judge accused of enabling immigrant to escape ICE gets a rare public reprimand
The highest court in Massachusetts has issued a public reprimand against a district court judge who was accused of allowing an immigrant to escape U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in 2018.
Judge accused of enabling immigrant to escape ICE gets a rare public reprimand – WTOP News
BOSTON (AP) — The highest court in Massachusetts on Thursday issued a public reprimand against a district court judge who was accused of allowing an immigrant to escape U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. The case dates back to 2018 when Judge Shelley Joseph was accused of colluding with the immigrant’s attorney and a court...
Judge accused of enabling immigrant to escape ICE gets a rare public reprimand
BOSTON (AP) — The highest court in Massachusetts on Thursday issued a public reprimand against a district court judge who was accused of allowing an immigrant to escape U.S. Immigration
SJC issues public reprimand to Newton judge accused of helping defendant evade capture by ICE agents - The Boston Globe
The Supreme Judicial Court’s public reprimand of Judge Shelley Joseph had been recommended last year by a hearing officer with the state Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium




















