Advocates push Mamdani, Hochul to end erratic' Bronx judge's time on bench | amNewYork

"Judicial advocates say Bronx Judge Ralph Fabrizio's time on the bench should end when his term expires this year, citing a record of his being vindictive and volatile towards attorneys and defendants and employing questionable legal judgment. Calling Fabrizio's court conduct erratic and pointing to over a dozen complaints filed against him by attorneys, the Center for Community Alternatives sent lengthy letters to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul, asking them not to grant him any additional terms."

"One of his most egregious actions during that time, the Center for Community Alternatives says, was on defendant Norberto Peets' case: Fabrizio vacated Peets' conviction, then reversed himself and reinstated it in an unpublished decision that misstated facts from the case, then re-vacated the conviction after THE CITY reached out to the judge with questions on the procedure."

"While it's unclear whether he'd be eligible for mayoral reappointment due to his age—state retirement age for judges is 70, and public records indicate he's currently 69—Hochul could nominate him to a six-year term on the Supreme Court any time before he turns 70, and he'd be allowed to serve its entirety."

The Center for Community Alternatives has called for Bronx Supreme Court Judge Ralph Fabrizio's tenure to end when his current term expires, citing a pattern of vindictive and volatile behavior toward attorneys and defendants. Over a dozen complaints have been filed against him. The organization sent letters to Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul opposing his reappointment. While mayoral reappointment eligibility is unclear due to his age (currently 69, with state retirement age at 70), Governor Hochul could nominate him for a six-year Supreme Court term before his 70th birthday. Fabrizio has served as a judge since 2001 and on the Bronx Supreme Court since 2010. Notable concerns include his handling of defendant Norberto Peets' case, where he vacated, reinstated, and then re-vacated a conviction with factual misstatements.

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