Justices of the New York State Court of Appeals focused heavily on the public perception of Judge Leticia Astacio...during a hearing on whether she should be removed from the bench.
Astacio's lawyer argued that the Rochester City Court Judge is remorseful, accepts responsibility for her conduct, and is still capable of functioning as a judge. The state's judicial conduct commission recommended her removal, based on her conduct on the bench, her drunken driving conviction, and her multiple DWI probation violations.
In their brief, Astacio and her attorney Bob Julian argued that she should be censured but allowed to remain on the bench. The justices made note of the media coverage Astacio’s case has generated and seemed to be concerned that it would prevent her from being perceived as impartial.
No decision was made immediately.