Judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph of Massachusetts is currently facing a judicial misconduct hearing over a 2018 incident involving Jose Medina-Perez, a Dominican national with a criminal history and two prior deportations. Medina-Perez was appearing in Newton District Court on drug charges and a fugitive warrant when a U.S. immigration agent arrived to detain him.

According to federal prosecutors, Judge Joseph allegedly directed a court clerk to mislead the ICE agent by telling him to wait in the lobby, while Medina-Perez was quietly allowed to leave through a back entrance. The courtroom audio was also turned off for 52 seconds during this exchange. Although Joseph faced federal charges, they were dropped in 2022 after she self-reported to the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct. However, the state-level investigation continues.

Her defense argues that she has not been convicted of a crime and that public opinion should not dictate judicial accountability. The hearing, overseen by Judge Denis McInerney in Suffolk Superior Court, will determine whether Joseph’s actions amounted to “willful judicial misconduct” and if they undermined public trust in the judiciary.

A key witness in the case is Medina-Perez’s attorney, David Jellinek, who received immunity in exchange for his testimony. He confirmed that a court officer helped the defendant leave via a secure exit. The outcome of this case could set a legal precedent regarding judicial responsibility in immigration-related matters, especially in politically sensitive contexts involving federal enforcement.