ACJC Says Judge Insulted Children, Used Immigration Threats from Bench

Filed July 28, 2025, the disciplinary complaint cites courtroom conduct during Bound Brook truancy matters; on August 18, Simon answered, disputing the allegations, asserting he lacked truancy training, and requesting a hearing.

New Jersey’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC) has brought a formal complaint against Municipal Court Judge Britt J. Simon over comments and conduct in several truancy proceedings in Bound Brook; Simon has filed a verified answer denying violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct, contending he sought guidance, received no training, and used “empty threats” to push students back to school.

What’s new

A formal complaint was filed on July 28, 2025, in the Matter of Britt J. Simon, ACJC Docket No. ACJC 2025-257, alleging conduct inconsistent with the Code of Judicial Conduct during Bound Brook truancy calendars. Simon had previously been suspended from judicial duties on February 11, 2025, pending ACJC review. He filed a verified answer on August 18, 2025, denying the charges and requesting a hearing.

Who is involved

Respondent: Judge Britt J. Simon, admitted to the New Jersey bar in 2002; at the relevant times a part-time municipal judge serving the shared courts of Bridgewater Township, Somerville Borough, Raritan Borough, and Bound Brook, all within Vicinage 13 (Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren). He was suspended on February 11, 2025.
Complainant: The Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC), which filed the case (Dkt. ACJC 2025-257).
Assignment Judge: Hon. Kevin M. Shanahan, A.J.S.C., who issued the February 11, 2025 suspension order.

What the complaint alleges

The complaint focuses on three truancy matters and asserts that Judge Simon:

Raised his voice, used hostile language, and questioned immigration status—conduct the ACJC says risked the appearance of bias.
Proceeded without the municipal prosecutor, did not swear defendants, and addressed the minors directly, even though the parents—not the children—are the named defendants in truancy cases.

The filing reproduces extended courtroom exchanges. Among them:

In State v. M.L. (Aug. 13, 2024), Simon is quoted as saying, “You’re looking to be a beggar, piece of garbage. Aren’t you?” and later, “Your mother’s going to get deported… You are going to end your mother’s life.”
In the same matter, after the youth mentioned the military, Simon said, “[Y]ou need to graduate which you’re not capable of doing. The military doesn’t want garbage.”
In State v. C.C. (Aug. 13, 2024), Simon warned a student, “I’ll have you taken away. They’ll put you in a group home in Newark… You will be beaten.”
In State v. E.A. (Jan. 28, 2025), he told a 14-year-old, “You miss another day for school and I’m going to personally have ICE here to pick you up.”

Citing these and related remarks, the ACJC alleges violations of Canon 1 (Rules 1.1, 1.2), Canon 2 (Rule 2.1), and Canon 3 (Rules 3.5, 3.6(A), 3.6(C)), which require judges to respect the law, avoid impropriety, act with dignity and courtesy, and not manifest bias.

What Simon argues in response

In his Verified Answer (Aug. 18, 2025), Simon denies the allegations and contends:

He received no training on truancy during new-judge education, and on Aug. 14, 2024, he asked the Presiding Judge for guidance after the first hearings. He says he tried “speaking to the kids, then yelling, then empty threats” to compel attendance and sought direction on alternatives.
He believed early discussions with families could proceed before the prosecutor’s involvement and notes no sworn testimony or adjudications occurred in the August 13 appearances.
According to Simon, Assignment Judge Shanahan suspended him without pay and cited “counseling sessions” that Simon says never occurred; he attaches phone records as Exhibit C to support that assertion.
He emphasizes he avoided fines for parents, writing, “I am not going to fine a non-English speaking single mother… Our fine means that [...] family doesn’t eat that night.” (Exhibit A email).
He requests a hearing and seeks discovery under Rule 2:15-13.

Simon further states that in E.A., the student had missed 67 of 91 days despite multiple interventions, arguing the complaint omits context about the severity of absenteeism and the limits of available remedies.

How the suspension came about

A February 11, 2025, letter from Assignment Judge Shanahan memorializes concerns arising from transcripts of Jan. 28, 2025, and Aug. 13, 2024 appearances, followed by an Order of Suspension removing Simon from all Vicinage 13 municipal-court duties pending ACJC review.

What happens next

The matter proceeds before the ACJC under Rule 2:15. Simon has demanded a hearing, and the committee will evaluate the complaint and answer under its procedures.

Key passages (verbatim)

“You’re looking to be a beggar, piece of garbage. Aren’t you?” — State v. M.L. (Aug. 13, 2024).
“[Y]ou need to graduate, which you’re not capable of doing. The military doesn’t want garbage.” — State v. M.L.
“You miss another day for school and I’m going to personally have ICE here to pick you up.” — State v. E.A. (Jan. 28, 2025).
Simon’s email about fines: “I am not going to fine a non-English speaking single mother… Our fine means that [] family doesn’t eat that night[.]” — Exhibit A.

Why this story matters

The complaint raises questions about judicial demeanor, bias, and process in municipal truancy enforcement, while the answer surfaces concerns about training, guidance, and tools available to municipal judges facing chronic absenteeism. How the ACJC resolves these competing narratives will inform expectations for courtroom conduct and juvenile-related proceedings across New Jersey.

Editor’s note: This report summarizes allegations contained in the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct’s formal complaint (filed July 28, 2025) and the respondent’s verified answer (filed August 18, 2025). No findings of fact or discipline have been made. All quotations appear verbatim from the public filings/transcripts. Juveniles are identified by initials only. Judge Britt J. Simon denies the allegations and has requested a hearing under Rule 2:15. This story will be updated as the matter proceeds. Corrections or clarifications may be sent to morristownminute@outlook.com.