Judge And Prosecutor Caught On Hot Mic Disparaging Defense Counsel

// There’s a lot to be said about the brave new largely virtual world COVID has thrust upon us. But even though we are now in season 3 of our online life, people still can’t seem to figure out technology.

Take the most recent example. Cook County, Illinois Circuit Court Judge William B. Raines and Assistant State’s Attorney Susie Bucaro were caught on a livestream ridiculing defense counsel that appeared before Raines earlier in the day. As reported by BuzzFeed:

“Can you imagine waking up next to her every day? Oh my god,” Cook County Circuit Court judge William B. Raines said in reference to Jennifer Bonjean, an attorney who recently convinced the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to toss out comedian Bill Cosby’s conviction.

“There would be a number of things wrong with my life if I was waking up next to her every day,” Assistant State’s Attorney Susie Bucaro, also on the livestream, replied to the judge.

None of the participants in the conversation, which included two prosecutors and a public defender, seemed to realize that their comments were being livestreamed on YouTube. Many routine court hearings in Chicago, and elsewhere across the country, are now conducted on video due to COVID-19.

“Oh, wait,” Raines said. “Media streaming live on YouTube? What’s up with this?” The recording then stops.

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Well, at least the gossip that once would only be behind closed doors is public. And Bonjean seems to agree. Of the problematic recording she said it “shows what some of us already know: That there’s this chumminess that goes on behind closed doors and makes you wonder whether cases are being heard on the merits or for some other reason.” As the transcript reveals, there’s certainly a comfortability between the judge and a number of prosecutors that are part of the conversation that gives one pause.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx issued an apology to Bonjean and said of the incident, “I assure you that this behavior is unacceptable and runs counter to the values of this administration,” and issued a statement on the matter:

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“Their actions reflect poorly on the work of our office and the entire criminal justice system,” the statement reads, noting that Foxx had spoken directly with both prosecutors and “as a personnel matter, this will be addressed appropriately.”

Raines recused himself in the matter, and the case was reassigned to another judge.

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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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Courts, Hot Mic, Jennifer Bonjean, Susie Bucaro, William B. Raines, Zoom Fail