No Laughing Matter, Your Honor

From the ABA Journal, a story about a judge who moonlights as a stand-up comedian. But this jurist, South Hackensack Municipal Court Judge Vince Sicari, who uses the name Vince August when he practices as a jokester, is in trouble with the New Jersey Advisory Committee on Extra-Judicial Activities. The Committee says he shouldn't be clowning around; doing such brings the judiciary into disrespect. According to the Columbus Telegram, Judge Sicari says he doesn't mix his two personas--judge and comedian. The New Jersey Supreme Court is hearing an appeal from the judge over whether he should be allowed to continue making people laugh--outside the courtroom.