Following her arrest and conviction for DWI, Leticia Astacio failed to meet the terms of her sentence and release, time and time again.
Judge Astacio has been removed from any court tasks by Judge Doran, who presided over her conviction for DWI. Unfortunately for taxpayers, she continues to receive her annual salary of nearly $174,000 .
Any other change in her status as a judge will have to come from the NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct. In their history, they've never removed a judge from the bench for a DWI conviction. They will likely follow that precedent until they receive enough pressure from the public demanding action to restore confidence in the judiciary by removing Judge Astacio from the bench.
Please sign and share the petition to demand the NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct act NOW!
Update #56 years ago
Our petition has been submitted to the NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct. They apparently move at a snail's pace, if at all, and in the meantime Ms. Astacio is still getting a paycheck for sitting in jail. They can be contacted directly at cjc@cjc.ny.gov. Joseph W. Belluck is the chairperson. Most likely, you'll receive only a form letter of acknowledgement but they deserve to hear that their failure to act is not acceptable.
Update #46 years ago
The tide is definitely turning for Ms. Astacio. She looks great in her prison garb, the cocky grin has faded, and you gotta love the tongue-lashing that she received from Judge Doran and the bail denial. There's a 3 word phrase that I still long to hear, "Suspended without pay." Petition signers need to keep the pressure on. Kindly spread the word. The more public outcry, the greater the chance that the Judicial Conduct Committee will remove her from her judgeship.
Update #36 years ago
Judge Astacio is to appear in court today, May 30, to face charges of yet another violation of the conditions set forth in her original DWI conviction. However her attorney has stated that she is in Thailand and intends to remain there until August. If she doesn't show up, a bench warrant will be issued for her arrest.
Update #27 years ago
Judge Astacio appeared in court yesterday and the charges of sentence violation against her were dropped on some technicalities. At least she was coherent enough to hire a good lawyer with the salary money that she continues to receive from taxpayers for doing zip. Just because her lawyer got her off on some legal mumbo-jumbo doesn't mean she's innocent by a long shot.
Update #17 years ago
How low can she go? Letecia Astacio was reported by a Marketplace Mall security guard as being drunk and belligerent in a restaurant at the mall. She and a group of her friends refused to leave the employees restroom when confronted by the guard. He threatened the group with pepper spray and was told by Ms. Astacio, "You can't spray me, I'm a judge." She needs to step down, but, unfortunately lacks the integrity to do so.
