The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a public reprimand on Thursday, September 10, 2026, against District Court Judge Shelley Joseph. The court found that Joseph created an appearance of impropriety and failed to comply with the law during a 2018 proceeding involving an immigrant sought by federal authorities.
The case centered on allegations that Joseph coordinated with a defense attorney and a court officer to allow an immigrant to exit through a courthouse back door to evade U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The incident occurred following a hearing on charges that included drug possession. The court noted that Joseph instructed a clerk to turn off the courtroom audio recording system during the event.
Joseph was indicted on federal obstruction of justice charges in April 2019, leading to a suspension from her judicial duties that lasted more than three years. Those federal charges were dropped in 2022 after she agreed to a referral to the Commission on Judicial Conduct, the state agency that investigates allegations of bench misconduct. The commission concluded that her actions constituted willful judicial misconduct that brought her office into disrepute.
Joseph, who remained a judge during the investigation, was assigned to administrative duties in the Boston Municipal Court starting in December. Following this disciplinary action, she is scheduled to resume full judicial responsibilities. The case highlights the legal boundaries for state court officials when interacting with federal agents who are seeking to detain individuals for immigration violations.
The public reprimand serves as a permanent mark on Joseph's professional record but does not remove her from the bench. This follows a case in Wisconsin, where former judge Hannah Dugan resigned and was fined $5,000 in July 2026 for a similar action involving an immigrant sought by ICE.