A Canandaigua Town Court judge has been suspended with pay as New York’s highest court reviews a determination that he should be removed from office for misconduct.
Hon. Walter W. Jones was suspended effective immediately by the New York State Court of Appeals on Thursday, pending its review of a decision by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
The commission previously determined that Jones should be removed from office following findings that he made repeated racial remarks and inappropriate comments both off the bench and during court proceedings.
In its March 12 determination, the commission cited two incidents in May 2024. According to the findings, Jones repeatedly used a racial slur during a conversation with a court clerk and an assistant public defender in the parking lot of the Ontario County Jail following arraignments on May 10, 2024. The remarks were made while he was telling a story unrelated to court business.
The commission also detailed a second incident on May 15, 2024, when Jones presided over the arraignment of a Black defendant. After the proceeding, the commission found he made inappropriate remarks, including saying, “Naturally, she played the race card,” along with other comments viewed as insensitive and indicative of bias.
The commission concluded that Jones violated multiple rules governing judicial conduct, including requirements that judges maintain impartiality and avoid both actual bias and the appearance of bias. It also noted that Jones failed to fully acknowledge the seriousness of his actions and had previously received two letters of caution.
Based on those findings, the commission determined that removal from office was the appropriate sanction, stating that Jones had “irreparably damaged” public confidence in his ability to serve as a fair and impartial judge.
The Court of Appeals’ suspension order was issued on its own motion and will remain in effect while the review process continues. The decision was supported by Chief Judge Rowan Wilson and Judges Michael Garcia, Madeline Singas, Anthony Cannataro, Shirley Troutman, and Caitlin Halligan. Judge Jenny Rivera did not take part.
A final determination on whether Jones will be removed from office will be made following the court’s review.
