A town justice in Yates County has resigned from office following an investigation that found multiple instances of judicial misconduct, including bias, inappropriate courtroom behavior, and a lack of legal competence.
Todd Whitford, a justice of the Jerusalem Town Court, stepped down earlier this month and agreed never to seek or hold judicial office again, according to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
The commission said Whitford was formally charged in September with four counts of misconduct stemming from several court appearances between 2021 and 2022.
In one matter, investigators said Whitford demeaned an alleged domestic violence victim during a preliminary hearing, displayed bias against women, expressed hostility toward law enforcement, mishandled evidence, and showed a poor understanding of orders of protection.
The commission also accused Whitford of making inappropriate remarks during a sentencing hearing involving a serious traffic case, including expressing sympathy for the defendant, questioning the defendant’s responsibility, and using vulgar language from the bench.
Additional allegations include mocking and laughing at a prosecutor during a suppression hearing, pressuring the attorney to act as a witness, and making derogatory comments about the lawyer’s abilities.
In another case, Whitford allegedly criticized a state law requiring jail time for repeat misdemeanor DWI convictions, calling it “disgusting” and “wrong,” and expressed regret that the defendant would be sentenced to jail.
Whitford, who is not an attorney, served as Jerusalem Town Court justice since 2018. His term was set to run through the end of 2026.
He signed a stipulation on Dec. 5 agreeing to resign effective Dec. 10 and to permanently refrain from serving as a judge. The Commission on Judicial Conduct approved the agreement on Dec. 11.
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