ALBANY, N.Y. — A judge from upstate New York has stepped down from his position after attempting to evade jury duty by expressing his belief that anyone appearing in court is inherently guilty. Richard T. Snyder, who had served as a justice for the Petersburgh Town Court for approximately ten years, resigned following accusations of misconduct brought forth by a state judicial body, as confirmed by officials on Tuesday.
In court transcripts, Snyder sought to avoid participating in a jury in 2023 by first introducing himself as a judge. He then stated, “I know everybody come in front of me. I know they are guilty. They would not be in front of me.” Snyder was ultimately excused from jury duty due to his persistent claims of being unable to remain impartial, asserting that it would “not be fair,” as recorded in documentation from a special grand jury session in Rensselaer County.
The presiding judge overseeing the jury selection took it upon himself to report Snyder’s conduct to state authorities. During a subsequent hearing by the judicial commission the following year, Snyder acknowledged the principle that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty; however, he maintained that he believed those who find themselves in court must have committed unlawful acts.
“I meant, that they were guilty because they did something wrong. But they’re not guilty ‘til they come to court. They’re innocent ’til proven guilty,” Snyder explained to the commission. He added, “They did something wrong. That’s why they got a ticket. But they’re not guilty.”
Snyder, who was elected to his role as a justice and is not an attorney by profession, has agreed to never hold a judicial position again. Attempts to contact Snyder were unsuccessful, as public records did not provide a phone number for him, and voicemails left for the Petersburgh Town Court received no response.
Petersburgh, a small town situated near the New York-Vermont border, has a population of about 1,400, according to census figures. Robert H. Tembeckjian, the administrator of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, issued a statement emphasizing that “there is no place on the bench for someone who so deeply misunderstands the role of a judge and the administration of justice.” He further remarked, “It is bad enough that a judge would seek to avoid such a fundamental civic responsibility as jury service. It is astounding that the judge would claim an inability to be impartial, and to declare under oath that the accused must be guilty or they would not be in court.”
In New York, judges, like all citizens, do not hold an automatic exemption from jury duty responsibilities.
