Family court judge accused of inappropriately touching women
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February 22, 2012
OCEAN COUNTY, New Jersey: Marquis D. Jones, Jr., a family judge in Ocean County's New Jersey Vicinage 14, has been accused of inappropriate comments and activity at a holiday party. Jones says he does not remember the incidents in question, and that his behavior was the result of having "a little too much to drink."[1]
On January 18th, 2012, the Supreme Court of New Jersey’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct filed a complaint against Jones. The alleged behavior took place in 2010 at a holiday party hosted by the Ocean County chapter of the Probation Association of New Jersey. The complaint alleges that Jones "inappropriately touched multiple female probation officers and an employee of the establishment at which the party was held, without their consent, and made several inappropriate and/or sexually suggestive remarks to these women."
Jones filed a formal response to the complaint, saying he "does not have any recall of inappropriately touching anyone or making inappropriate comments. However, Respondent (Jones) does not question the perceptions of those who have alleged otherwise. He does not have a present intention to require their personal appearance and testimony in this matter. However, if Respondent was inappropriate, it was perhaps the result of having a little too much to drink, in the Holiday spirit.”[2]
Jones says that he "takes full responsibility" for his actions, acknowledging that his alleged behavior is a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct. He "submits himself to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct for whatever action it deems appropriate in this matter."[3]
Jones will remain on the bench until the judicial conduct committee members make a recommendation to the state Supreme Court about what action should be taken. If the committee determines that Jones committed misconduct, Jones could be reprimanded, censured, suspended, or removed from the bench.
Jones was appointed to the bench in January 2008 by former Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine.[3]
Footnotes
- ↑ Asbury Park Press, "Accused family court judge says he doesn't remember alleged inappropriate behavior," February 16, 2012
- ↑ ABA Journal, "Judge Accused of Groping Probation Officers Blames Drinking and the ‘Holiday Spirit’," February 15, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Daily Business Review, "Judge's defense to groping charge: Can't recall, must have been drunk," February 16, 2012
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