When the name of a judge appears in disciplinary headlines, the public pays attention. That was exactly the case for Judge Mark J. Grisanti of Buffalo, New York, whose 2020 late-night street dispute quickly escalated into a spectacle involving his wife, angry neighbors, and responding police officers. What unfolded not only landed on body cameras but also in disciplinary proceedings that ultimately cast a long shadow over Grisanti’s judicial career.
In the Matter of Mark J. Grisanti, New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct (2022).
The Incident: A Neighborhood Dispute Gone Wrong
It all started with a heated parking dispute between the Grisantis and their neighbors, the Meles. When police arrived, Maria Grisanti, the judge’s wife, was already shouting profanities across the street. Officers repeatedly tried to calm her down, guiding her back to her property, but she refused to let the matter drop.
When Officer Gehr warned her to stop yelling, Maria shot back: “You’re not going to arrest me.” His blunt response: “I sure f**king am.”
As the officer tried to place her in handcuffs, Maria resisted. Officer Gehr brought her to the ground to restrain her but that’s when Judge Grisanti himself intervened. Shouting “hey” multiple times, the judge rushed over and shoved the officer.
Police vs. The Judge
The situation quickly spiraled. Lieutenant Muhammad grabbed Judge Grisanti in a bear hug, warning him to “keep your hands off a cop.” But the judge was undeterred.
As his wife was being cuffed, Grisanti shouted: “You arrest my f**king wife… you’re going to be sorry.” He then leveraged his family’s connections, reminding officers that his son and daughter were both police officers. He even name-dropped then-Mayor Byron Brown, saying they were good friends and suggesting that the mayor himself had advised
him to ignore the neighbors.
Despite his efforts, Maria was taken into custody.
No Charges, But Serious Consequences
Although the District Attorney’s Office declined to press criminal charges against either Grisanti or his wife, the damage had already been done. The body camera footage revealed a sitting judge physically shoving a police officer and making thinly veiled threats about his influence.
In disciplinary proceedings, Grisanti admitted that his behavior violated judicial conduct rules. His words and actions during the incident were found to be inconsistent with the dignity and restraint expected of a judge.
Conclusion
The Grisanti case serves as a powerful reminder that judges are not above the law. A neighborhood quarrel, fueled by tempers and alcohol, spiraled into an event that cost Grisanti dearly in terms of reputation and professional standing. For the public, it reinforced an essential truth: the integrity of the judicial system depends on the restraint and responsibility of those entrusted to uphold it even in the heat of personal conflict.
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