HYDE PARK – A candidate seeking a town justice seat has violated guidelines during his campaign, sources have told Mid-Hudson News. Two people have said they have filed complaints with the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct against Michael Plass, who is seeking election to serve as a Hyde Park Town justice.
Plass, who previously served as a part-time Hyde Park Police officer won the Conservative primary earlier this year in his bid to be one of the two town justices. He also secured the Republican nomination for the November ballot.
The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct specific language in the Judicial Campaign Ethics Handbook that lists what judicial candidates can do and say during campaigns.
In the “Content of Campaign Speech” section, the commission rule says: “In general, a judicial candidate must ensure that his/her campaign statements are consistent with the impartiality, independence, and dignity of judicial office,” and specifically states that candidates “must avoid pledges, promises or commitments that are inconsistent with the impartial performance of the adjudicative duties of judicial office…” The rules address impartiality by adding, “A judicial candidate is prohibited from appealing directly or indirectly to the fear, passion, or prejudice of the electorate or from appealing purposefully to or against members of a particular race, sex, ethnic group, religion, or similar group.”
Plass recently sent a campaign mailer that the complainants say violates the commission’s rules. The recent campaign piece includes three “pledges” from Plass regarding the punishment of a specific group, while not disclosing that current laws determine how punishment is determined, pledges the protection of one specific group of crime victims, and pledges to sentence each offender to the lengthiest term allowable. Those specific pledges are not in accordance with the rules set forth by the commission.
Plass is trying to unseat one of the two incumbent judges in town – Democrat Joseph Petito or Republican Jean McArthur. Petito is the only one of the candidates who is also a practicing attorney. He has also served as a temporary city court judge in Poughkeepsie.
Repeated attempts to contact candidate Plass were unsuccessful. Mid-Hudson News also enlisted members of the community who associate with Plass and they relayed messages to call, but no calls were received.
