Ferguson Judge Resigns in Light of DOJ Findings

AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File

Judge Ronald Brockmeyer was named in the DOJ's report for issuing an excessive amount of court fines and fees

Taylor Lewis Mar, 10, 2015

The Ferguson municipal judge responsible for excessively issuing fines and fees to the city’s residents has resigned.

According to a statement released yesterday, Judge Ronald Brockmeyer will be replaced by Judge Roy L. Richter. The announcement comes less than a week after a Department of Justice investigation found that the city was guilty of issuing exorbitant fines to locals in an effort to maximize city revenue.

In 2010, the city of Ferguson generated $1.3 million in fines and fees, but by 2015, that number had jumped to more than $3 million. The report concluded that Brockmeyer was “successful in significantly increasing court collections over the years” by approving various fees.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary R. Russell said in a statement that the municipal court was violating citizens’ rights.

“Although we recognize the local control our statutes give these uniquely local entities, we must not sacrifice individual rights and society’s collective commitment to justice,” she said.

Brockmeyer’s attorneys are adamant that the judge was not involved in the day-to-day malpractice. Nonetheless, he is the fourth city official to resign or be removed from his job after the release of the DOJ report.