New Jersey judge cannot moonlight as a standup comedian

Stop me if you've heard this one.  A judge walks into a comedy club to tell some jokes.  No seroiusly.  Vincent Sicari, who is a part time municipal judge in South Hackensack, New Jersey, also spends time on the comedy circuit.  Brendan Spaar bets that this guy has some stories to tell from the arrested people that come before his bench on their court date.  Apparently there were complaints and the New Jersey Supreme Court got involved.  In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that "he has demeaned certain people based on national origin and religion, has revealed his political leanings, and has declared his dislike for and intolerance of children."  In other words, Sicari is guilty of being a comedian.  The court found that while there were no reports of Sicari acting inappropriately in court, the judicial code of conduct requires him to adhear to a higher standard.  That must mean that comedians are seen as lower stock.  Apparently no one told Sicari not to quit his day job so he has tendered his resignation.  There is probably more money in comedy than part time judging anyway.

Source: http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/09/joking_judge_vince_sicari_must_cut_the_comedy_to_stay_on_bench_nj_supreme_court.html

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