Press Release  Hearing Officer Releases Report with Proposed Findings of Fact and Recommendations for Discipline on Formal Charges against Judge Shelley Joseph

Boston, MA — The Hearing Officer who presided over the public hearing on the Formal Charges against Judge Shelley Joseph has issued a Report with proposed findings of fact and recommendations for discipline. The public hearing in this matter took place from June 9, 2025 through June 16, 2025. 

A copy of the Hearing Officer’s report is available on the Commission’s website at the following address: www.mass.gov/cjc. 

The Hearing Officer’s report contains certified copies of the transcripts from the public hearing, copies of the exhibits introduced into evidence during the hearing, a stipulation entered into by the parties regarding agreed-upon revisions made to the certified transcripts, and two stipulations entered into by the parties prior to the public hearing. The Hearing Officer’s report cites to the transcripts that include the parties’ agreed-upon revisions to the certified transcripts. Those revised transcripts are attached to the stipulation relating to transcripts as Exhibits 13 through 18. 

Pursuant to Commission Rule 11C, “[w]ithin twenty (20) days after receipt of [the Hearing Officer’s] report, counsel for the judge and for the Commission shall each be allowed to submit to the Commission written objections to the proposed findings and recommendations.” 

Pursuant to Commission Rule 11D, “[w]ithin the same twenty (20) day period, the judge and the complainant, if any, may file a written request to be heard before the Commission regarding its recommendation for discipline.” If there is a request to be heard before the Commission regarding its recommendation for discipline, the Commission will schedule a hearing, which will be open to the public. 

Finally, Commission Rule 11F provides that, “[u]nless there is good cause for delay, the Commission shall reach a decision on the basis of the full record within ninety (90) days after the hearing concerning recommendation for discipline, if there is such a hearing, or otherwise within ninety (90) days after receipt of the Hearing Officer’s report.” The Commission’s decision on this matter will take the form of a report to Supreme Judicial Court. The Supreme Judicial Court will then make the final decision regarding the appropriate sanctions for Judge Joseph’s conduct. 

News media may direct inquiries to communications@cjc.state.ma.us. The Commission’s governing statute and rules are available on its website at the following address: www.mass.gov/cjc.  

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