Judge admonished for drunk driving continues to sit on bench | amNewYork

"According to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Mortenson, who is not an attorney, told police he was really nervous and scared when they asked him to step outside of his 2013 Chevy pickup truck and began testing his sobriety. He was ultimately arrested shortly after midnight on May 23, 2024."

"In its determination, the commission noted that Mortenson did not assert his judicial office to avoid arrest. He acknowledged that it was inappropriate and dangerous for him to have driven while under the influence of alcohol and that public discipline was warranted."

"Robert Tembeckjian, the commission's administrator, emphasized the importance of judges abiding by the law and by rules governing judicial conduct to ensure public trust in the judiciary but he commended Mortenson for accepting responsibility for his actions, saying he trusted the judge had learned from this experience."

Gallatin Town Justice Eric Mortenson failed three field sobriety tests after being stopped by state police in May 2024 for failing to signal. He was charged with driving while impaired and arrested shortly after midnight. The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct admonished Mortenson for the incident. The commission noted that Mortenson did not use his judicial office to avoid arrest and acknowledged the inappropriateness and danger of driving under the influence. He accepted responsibility and public discipline was deemed warranted. Despite the admonishment, Mortenson will continue serving as town justice until his term concludes in December 2027 and remains eligible for future office.

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