Litigation

Family Judge's Rant at Pro Se Litigant Draws Ethics Charges

Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Max Baker has been hit with ethics charges for allegedly launching into a tirade against an unrepresented family court litigant who complained about a child-visitation schedule he ordered. The heated invective called into question Baker's ability to remain impartial, Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC) counsel Candace Moody alleged in a complaint made public on Aug. 6.

The outburst allegedly took place during a hearing last Dec. 31 on cross-complaints for restraining orders brought by Michael and Dana Pilla, both of whom were pro se. After granting Dana's request for an adjournment to obtain counsel, Baker inquired about the couple's minor child and visitation.

On learning that Michael had not seen the child for more than a week, Baker imposed a temporary visitation schedule. When Dana expressed concern about the arrangements, Baker “became irate ' screamed at her, and, among other things, accused her of being a bad parent, and threatened her with incarceration if she disobeyed his Order regarding visitation,” the ACJC complaint says.

Baker has a reputation for poor demeanor, according to the New Jersey Law Journal's most recent Superior Court Judicial Survey, published last year. In the category of courtesy and respect to litigants and lawyers, lawyers graded Baker 4.76 on a 1-to-10 scale ' the lowest score in the Atlantic-Cape May vicinage and 349th out of 350 judges statewide. His overall score of 6.63 was also dead last in the vicinage.

Family Judge's Rant at Pro Se Litigant Draws Ethics Charges

Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Max Baker has been hit with ethics charges for allegedly launching into a tirade against an unrepresented family court litigant who complained about a child-visitation schedule he ordered. The heated invective called into question Baker's ability to remain impartial, Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC) counsel Candace Moody alleged in a complaint made public on Aug. 6.

The outburst allegedly took place during a hearing last Dec. 31 on cross-complaints for restraining orders brought by Michael and Dana Pilla, both of whom were pro se. After granting Dana's request for an adjournment to obtain counsel, Baker inquired about the couple's minor child and visitation.

On learning that Michael had not seen the child for more than a week, Baker imposed a temporary visitation schedule. When Dana expressed concern about the arrangements, Baker “became irate ' screamed at her, and, among other things, accused her of being a bad parent, and threatened her with incarceration if she disobeyed his Order regarding visitation,” the ACJC complaint says.

Baker has a reputation for poor demeanor, according to the New Jersey Law Journal's most recent Superior Court Judicial Survey, published last year. In the category of courtesy and respect to litigants and lawyers, lawyers graded Baker 4.76 on a 1-to-10 scale ' the lowest score in the Atlantic-Cape May vicinage and 349th out of 350 judges statewide. His overall score of 6.63 was also dead last in the vicinage.