Hold onto your gavels, folks—justice just got a stern reminder that even judges aren’t above the rules. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has handed down a seven-day unpaid suspension to Dane County Circuit Judge Ellen K. Berz for judicial misconduct, proving that the bench isn’t a free-for-all for personal whims or temper tantrums.
WKOW reported that this ruling stems from two separate incidents of misconduct as detailed by the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, leading to Berz’s first disciplinary action since her election in 2012.
Let’s rewind to May 2019, when the first incident unfolded during a hearing in the case of State v. Richard Harrison, Jr. Judge Berz, in a display of courtroom behavior that could only be described as regrettable, breached the Code of Judicial Ethics with discourteous and intemperate conduct.
Turns out, a judge’s robe doesn’t come with a license to vent frustrations on the public stage.
Fast forward to December 2021, and we’ve got another head-scratcher in the case of State v. Noah Hodges. Here, Judge Berz took it upon herself to personally retrieve a defendant from a hospital, stepping way outside the bounds of her role as a neutral magistrate. If that’s not abandoning the impartiality expected of a judge, what is?
The Judicial Conduct Panel, made up of Judges M. Joseph Donald, Lisa S. Neubauer, and Mark D. Gundrum, didn’t mince words in their assessment of these actions.
“The judicial intemperance displayed by Judge Berz is simply not acceptable,” they declared. And frankly, they’re right—when a judge acts more like a vigilante than a voice of reason, it’s time for accountability to step in.
Now, let’s give credit where it’s due: Judge Berz owned up to the allegations and agreed to the disciplinary measure. That’s a rare moment of humility in a world where too many in power dodge responsibility faster than a progressive agenda dodges common sense. Still, owning up doesn’t erase the damage done to public trust.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court, in its ruling, made it clear that such behavior won’t be tolerated, slapping Berz with a suspension set to begin on June 26. Seven days without pay might not sound like much, but it’s a public reminder that the judiciary isn’t a sandbox for personal crusades.
Since her election to the bench in 2012, this marks the first time Judge Berz has faced disciplinary action.
That’s a long run without a misstep, which makes these incidents all the more disappointing. One has to wonder if the pressures of the role—or perhaps the cultural drift toward emotional overreach—played a part.
Let’s be clear: judges are human, and humans err. But when those errors undermine the very foundation of impartiality and decorum that our legal system depends on, consequences must follow. Turns out, actions do indeed have repercussions, even behind the bench.
The specifics of the 2019 incident show a judge losing the patience and professionalism the public expects.
It’s not just about one bad day; it’s about the precedent set when authority figures let frustration override duty. We can empathize with a tough job, but empathy doesn’t excuse a breach of ethics.
Then there’s the 2021 hospital escapade, which sounds more like a plot twist from a legal drama than real life. Stepping out of the courtroom to play hero—or whatever the intent was—crosses a line that even the most sympathetic observer can’t ignore. Neutrality isn’t just a suggestion; it’s the bedrock of justice.
The Judicial Conduct Panel’s findings of serious misconduct aren’t some overblown reaction from a woke witch hunt, either.
They reflect a sober judgment that Berz’s actions threatened the integrity of her position. If conservatives stand for anything, it’s preserving institutions through accountability, not excuses.