Nationwide — Walter Jones, an 82-year-old white judge in Canandaigua, New York, has been removed from office after repeatedly using a racial slur and making discriminatory remarks about a Black woman who appeared in his courtroom. The state’s highest court upheld the decision on October 27, 2026, finding that his conduct violated the standards expected of a judge.
The New York Court of Appeals agreed with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct’s recommendation to remove him following an investigation into two incidents in May 2024. The first occurred on May 10, when Jones told a personal story to a court employee and an assistant public defender in the parking lot outside the Ontario County Jail. While describing a Black man who had worked on his grandfather’s farm, he repeatedly used the N-word. Neither listener had asked him to share the story.
During the disciplinary investigation, Jones admitted using the slur but claimed he was repeating language his father had used. According to The New York Times, he described his father as racist and said the story dated back to the 1950s, when a Black man worked on his grandfather’s farm in Texas. He argued that using his father’s words helped preserve the story’s authenticity and context. However, both witnesses testified about his repeated use of the slur, and the hearing referee questioned his explanation.
Five days later, on May 15, Jones made another series of remarks involving race while handling a Black woman’s arraignment. The woman had questioned her bail amount and explained that being held in custody could cost her job and prevent her from attending an upcoming eye surgery. She also accused the county of racism. Instead of addressing her concerns, Jones accused her of having “played the race card.” He also suggested she might have attacked her attorney if she had not been handcuffed. The commission found that his comments showed racial bias or created the appearance that he could not treat defendants fairly.
Investigators also reviewed Jones’ previous disciplinary record. He had received two letters of caution before the May 2024 incidents. The first, issued in August 2021, involved improper communication with someone connected to a case and failure to follow COVID-19 safety rules. The second, issued in March 2024, addressed court administration problems and an unexplained surplus of fines and fees in court accounts. The commission also criticized him for minimizing his actions, giving inconsistent explanations, and failing to recognize how his behavior could damage public trust in the judiciary. The Court of Appeals rejected his argument that removing him was too harsh.
Jones had served as a Canandaigua Town Court justice since 1999, and his term was supposed to end on December 31, 2027. The court suspended him with pay in April 2026 while reviewing the disciplinary recommendation. Its October ruling made his removal permanent. The judges also stressed that members of the judiciary must avoid conduct that raises questions about their fairness and ability to remain impartial. His attorney, Levi Stoep, said Jones had no comment while they considered options for seeking federal relief.