New Jersey Judge Suspended Two Months Over Biased Facebook Posts

New Jersey municipal judge Robert M. LePore has been suspended without pay for two months by the state's Supreme Court following findings that his Facebook activity violated judicial ethics. The Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct found that LePore publicly expressed support for law enforcement, including 'Blue Lives Matter' imagery, partisan political viewpoints, and criticized New Jersey's bail reform laws, which created an appearance of bias undermining his impartiality as a judge. Despite prior warnings, LePore failed to remove the objectionable content from his social media. Along with the suspension, LePore is required to complete at least four hours of in-person professional development training focused on systemic, actual, and implicit bias before returning to the bench. LePore acknowledged his misconduct and expressed regret at a hearing before the committee. The court emphasized that judges must remain neutral and protect the judiciary's reputation, which LePore's actions compromised.