A Missouri circuit judge recently agreed to a six-month unpaid suspension followed by a later permanent departure from the bench after admitting to a pattern of courtroom conduct that crossed the line from silliness into an ethical violation. See In re Matter of the Honorable Matthew E.P. Thornhill, No. SC101374, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law & Recommendations (Mo. Nov. 14, 2025). Over multiple proceedings, the judge wore an Elvis Presley wig, played music from the bench, allowed witnesses to choose swearing-in methods tied to Elvis songs, and inserted irrelevant pop-culture references into active court business. What was intended as humor was found instead to undermine the dignity and order required of judicial proceedings.
The investigation also revealed repeated political comments from the bench, including references to campaign signs, preferred candidates, and statements framed as campaign slogans during live court sessions. The Missouri Supreme Court found that these actions violated core rules requiring political neutrality, impartiality, and the preservation of public confidence in the judiciary. The most serious misconduct arose when the judge hand-delivered a personal character reference in an adoption case to another judge’s clerk without being subpoenaed, improperly using the prestige of judicial office to support a private party.
Rather than contest the charges, the judge admitted the allegations and entered into an agreement providing for suspension, delayed resignation, and a permanent prohibition on future judicial service. The case is a reminder that the appearance of dignity is not optional in a courtroom. Approachability cannot replace neutrality, and humor cannot displace the authority of judicial office without risking public trust in the legal system.
