A state commission has determined that Ontario County Judge Kristina Karle should be publicly admonished for improperly trying to influence another judge's bail decision.
The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct said Karle repeatedly invoked her judicial title while seeking to have the daughter of her sister's friend held on bail on Jan. 24, 2025.
Calls and texts about an arraignment
Karle first contacted a County Court judge to find out where the defendant would be arraigned on an arrest warrant. She then called another court, gave the clerk her name and judicial title, and asked for a return call.
She also texted the judge, identifying herself as an Ontario County judge and asking to speak about a case. The judge initially said the defendant was not scheduled there, then contacted Karle later that day after learning of an afternoon warrant return.
Karle asked the judge, “if legally permissible,” to set bail and hold the defendant. She described concerns about the defendant's substance use and homelessness and said the family hoped detention could help the defendant get treatment.
The other judge said the communication made them uncomfortable and recused from the case. The judge also sought guidance from the Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, which advised that the conduct should be reported to the commission.
The commission found Karle violated rules against using the prestige of judicial office to advance private interests and engaging in improper one-sided communications about a pending case. It commended the other judge for seeking guidance and recusing.
Commission Administrator Robert Tembeckjian said Karle was wrong to try to influence a colleague's bail decision on behalf of a friend. “The average defendant or citizen does not have such access,” he said.
Panel considered apology and cooperation
Karle immediately apologized to the other judge and later self-reported the conduct. She acknowledged that the intervention was improper, regretted putting the other judge in a position requiring recusal and cooperated with the commission.
In her apology, Karle said her brother-in-law had recently died and that she had allowed her emotions to guide her. The commission considered her acknowledgment, apology and self-report in accepting the jointly recommended admonition.
A formal complaint dated April 23, 2026, contained one charge. Karle, her lawyer and the commission administrator agreed to the facts and proposed sanction on July 29, waiving further submissions and oral argument.
The commission accepted the agreement Sept. 24 and issued its determination Oct. 13. All 11 members concurred.
Court of Appeals review remains available
The commission was notified Oct. 23 that Karle had received the determination, making the matter public. A judge has 30 days from receipt to request review by the Court of Appeals.
If Karle does not request review, the commission will admonish her under the determination. If review is requested, the Court of Appeals may accept the sanction, impose a different sanction, including censure or removal, or impose no sanction.
Karle has served on Ontario County's County and Family Courts since 2019 and as an acting Supreme Court justice since 2021. She was admitted to the New York bar in 1998, and her current term expires Dec. 31, 2028.
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