In almost every situation, it’s important to think before you speak. The consequences that result from an outburst can follow you for some time and impact your life negatively. Unfortunately, one judge in New York is finding this out the hard way after a heated exchange he had at a school board meeting. The reason for the exchange? His son was not named valedictorian and he wasn’t happy about the decision.
The initial school board meeting was streamed on YouTube in 2024, where Long Beach City Court Judge Corey Klein stood and angrily addressed the room. When the session was opened up for questions involving the public, Klein went to the microphone. He wanted to “discuss the implications of this board’s policies as it relates to COVID and the selection of the valedictorian.” He went on to say that his son didn’t receive valedictorian of his class and that it “impacted” him.
The superintendent of the school asked the school district attorney if the conversation was appropriate for this meeting. Judge Corey Klein replied with a short, “Don’t try to out-lawyer me with the law.” Klein’s microphone was actually cut off at this point but he continued to become more belligerent. He was shouting, “If you are going to try to be a lawyer, then refer to me by my title as well, okay. Thank you.” This went on for a grueling 20 minutes in which we received a heavy dose of secondhand embarrassment.
Now, a June 2025 press release confirmed Corey Klein will be censured — a formal statement of disapproval over somebody’s actions. This is not the first time Judge Klein has dealt with this. Apparently, he is not a big “man of the law” as he may think he is. Klein allegedly received censure before when he used his office to help an “acquaintance.” For someone holding office until 2034, it’s important to make a stink of these moments.
Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian stated in the press release, “It corrodes public confidence in the judiciary when a judge lends the prestige of judicial office to advance a private benefit.” It goes to show a judge may choose to stand up for a family member under certain circumstances, but what about others who are going through a dire situation? Will he pound the mallet and choose not to serve justice because of his emotional feelings on a subject? This is the major concern here and a very strong one at that.
