Brooklyn judge demoted for abusing power, cursing at teacher in road rage incident

A Brooklyn judge was demoted after abusing her power and cursing at a teacher during a road rage dispute last year, according to a report that was made public on Monday.

The report from the state Commission on Judicial Conduct found Brooklyn Civil Judge Jill Epstein lost her temper in April 2022 when she got stuck behind a double-parked car outside of a school on Pacific Street while she was driving to work.

Epstein got out of her car, entered the school, told a safety officer she was a judge and asked about the car blocking her path, the report says. When a teacher at the school came out to move the car, Epstein reportedly called her a “stupid b—-” and said she had a courthouse to run.

Both Epstein and the teacher she cursed at had parking placards in their cars, according to the report.

The commission found Epstein “improperly asserted her judicial status,” and gave “the appearance that she expected special treatment and deference due to her judicial position.” She was issued an official reprimand for her behavior.

Courts spokesperson Lucien Chalfen said Epstein was removed from her position as supervising judge of the court shortly after the altercation.

Chalfen declined to comment further on the incident.

“A judge must uphold the integrity and dignity of judicial office at all times, on or off the bench, and avoid asserting the judicial title in the personal situation,” commission Administrator Robert Tembeckjian wrote in a statement.

The commission’s report noted Epstein sent a written apology to the teacher after the incident.

Epstein current term on the bench began in 2019 and expires in 2028.