It's not everyday that Judges get reprimanded for poor behavior, but today I was pleased to see at least one judge being held accountable for his outlandish behavior. A Judgeship is something that must be held by only those with the highest integrity and values, and for this Judge... he has a lot to learn about "abuse of power" and "abuse of authority."
He pleaded guilty in December 2007 in Superior Court in Morristown to driving while intoxicated and to threatening a public servant. Korpita admitted he flashed his municipal judge identification and mentioned several times he was a municipal court judge.
"I'm a judge. I'm okay, bro. I'm okay," he said, according to the arrest report. Korpita failed five sobriety tests and had a blood-alcohol reading of 0.22, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08.
When the officers refused to back off the arrest, Korpita threatened to take action against them if they appeared in one of his courts, Korpita admitted. Officers routinely appear in municipal courts to help prosecute tickets and complaints they sign against people. (NJ.COM; N.J. Supreme Court Suspends Law License for Former Morris Municipal Judge; Jim Lockwood; Star Ledger; Feb. 20, 2009; Orig.)
Although George Korpita, a former Morris County Municipal Judge, may never hold a public office again, he does have a chance to remain employed as an attorney after his suspension is up. However, he does have pending charges in at least one other courtroom for driving while intoxicated. For now, suffice it to say, at least one less questionable character can be a judge in America today.


