Backlash grows against judge for her comments to elderly, sick man
Hamtramck 31st District Court Judge Alexis Krot is being criticized for how she handled a blight case involving an elderly man.
By Charles Sercombe
The court of public opinion has reached a verdict on how Hamtramck 31st District Court Judge Alexis Krot handled a blight case.
And it is: You’re out of order, and disrespectful.
Her punishment might be to eventually get voted out of office, if some voters have a say in the matter.
Krot is facing increasing criticism for dressing down a 72-year-old resident, who was ticketed last August for weeds growing around his garage facing the alley but failed to remove them.
“Shameful,” Krot yelled, in a recording of a court hearing on Tuesday. “The neighbors shouldn’t have to look at that. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
What rubbed a number of residents and others the wrong way was that the man is not only elderly, but also has cancer of the lymph nodes.
Before Krot admonished Burham Chowdhury, he apologized, and said he’s been too weak to remove the weeds.
“I’m very sick, ma’am,” Chowdhury said, with much labored breathing.
Krot further said she would have thrown Chowdhury in jail if she could. She fined him $100.
The recording was the top story on WDIV Channel 4 news at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The response was immediate.
“I’m quite stunned at her lack of professionalism and disgraceful comments. There’s no reason to speak to him that way,” said Linda Ward, on the Hamtramck Square Facebook page.
Fursan Zokari didn’t mince words either: “She is the worst judge in Hamtramck history! It seems like she hates everybody that lives in Hamtramck. She always talks to people with disrespectful ways. I myself have had a very bad experience with her.”
One viewer put it succinctly in describing Krot’s behavior, calling her “Judge Karen” – a reference to a generic name given to white women publicly yelling and shaming others, usually minorities.
At Tuesday’s city council meeting, Krot’s conduct was the topic of much discussion, although the city council is a separate government body and has no role in the district court’s business.
State Rep. Abraham Aiyash said that he will work with the Chowdhury family, and file a complaint with the state’s Judicial Tenure Commission.
He urged the city council to hold Krot “accountable,” and said she “embarrassed the court.”
“It’s not the first time,” Aiyash added.
Delwar Hussain Ansar, who describes himself as a community activist, called for Krot to resign.
“She doesn’t deserve to be a judge,” Ansar said.
Krot has not commented on the matter.
The incident has also been picked up by national media outlets, such as the Washington Post, which ran a story about it with the headline:
“Michigan Judge Alexis Krot shames cancer patient Burhan Chowdhury for not maintaining home, lawn”
Also posted on the Hamtramck Square Facebook page was a clip of Krot at a 2018 campaign rally at the Gates of Columbus Hall promising those in attendance that as a judge:
“You will get fair and impartial treatment. You will be treated with kindness and patience. You will get your chance to say every word you want to …”
Krot was first appointed to the bench in 2016 by then-Gov. Rick Snyder, after former Judge Paul Paruk resigned to take another job. Krot has since won re-election in 2020, and her current term expires in 2027.
The question now, as some city hall insiders speculated, is whether the ongoing criticism of her court demeanor will lead to her defeat when she faces re-election again.
Posted Jan. 14, 2022
61 Responses to Backlash grows against judge for her comments to elderly, sick man
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Mark M. Koroi
January 16, 2022 at 5:39 pm
To some of the commenters:
(A) the State of Michigan Constitution does not permit judges to be recalled – although Hamtramck civic leaders have already explored the issue after this incident;
(B) this was certainly not the only controversy about her on-the-bench behavior toward the public in general or the elderly in particular;
(C) her current term of office expires on December 31, 2026 – meaning her seat will come up for re-election in November of 2026;
(D) State Representative Abraham Aiyash of Hamtramck has indicated he will be filing a grievance with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission to complain about Krot’s behavior.
I and a number of other citizens opposed the incumbent Krot in her 2018 election bid by supporting her challenger John Fitzgerald Gorniak.
I was one of her more vocal critics – appearing at City council meetings to address why a change was needed.
I feel we should distribute T-shirts and bumper stickers memorializing this incident and embossed with the slogan “Don’t blame me – I votedfor John Gorniak in 2018”.
Nigel
January 17, 2022 at 10:50 am
It hasn’t just made national news it’s also well publicised here in Australia. This disgusting woman need to be fired today !!
Eric Gardner
January 17, 2022 at 12:01 pm
The biggest problem is electing judges. Elections are popularity contests and usually won by who has the most money, not who is the most competent. We need to abolish electing judges. Elections are for politicians and the judiciary is supposed to be impartial. That’s impossible if you are being elected.
esoa
January 17, 2022 at 2:08 pm
happy to see how many people have spoken out against this judge. a small minority agreed with her but ‘judging’ by how many were disturbed by her comments in court shows that most people are decent & empathetic.
JSCOTTPA
January 17, 2022 at 10:22 pm
Judge Krot is why our legal system has such a bad reputation. Power corrupts. Judges have tremendous power and some individuals are not mature enough to understand their authority. Judge Krot actually believes that she should be able to incarcerate a 72 year old cancer patient simply because he has an unkempt yard? In her mind, this misdemeanor rises to the level of incarceration? This young lady is dangerous and has no place in the American legal system. If we cannot trust her judgment with a messy yard how in the world can we trust her with important decisions? She needs to step down and allow a competent and more mature person to sit in her important seat of authority. Shamefully embarrassing.
Sheryl
January 17, 2022 at 11:17 pm
Not only is the judge disgusting so are the neighbors who did not have the decency to help this man take care of his lawn but complained instead. Lazy uncaring neighbors!!! America has gone lower than the dogs if this is the way people help their neighbors !!!!!
Ray
January 18, 2022 at 12:54 pm
If she serves her full term as judge, that goes to show how corrupt and uncaring our legal system is. What she did was not only disgusting and not what she is there for, but she has a duty to work with citizens, not to sit there and belittle them. She must have compassion, which she clearly doesn’t. I want to see her go before a panel of judges and see her be relieved of her duties, not admonished or told to get anger management or something lame like that, but to be fired and disbarred as well.
Tony
January 18, 2022 at 1:35 pm
Go online and file a complaint on Judge Alexis Krot.
I am a retired law enforcement officer and triple cancer patient. The American legal system is broken beyond repair. What I watched this judge do is sickening. I can attest to how hard cancer surgeries and treatments are on the mind and body. This lack of empathy by this judge is horrible. She has got to go. Give this man his money back and leave him alone.
Resign Alexis Krot. Do the right thing.
Tea Party Patriot
January 19, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Quick questions for the City of Hamtown:
If this was a civil infraction hearing why did Judge Alexis Krot say he would jail the elderly defendant if he appeared before the Court again? – a judge CANNOT jail a defendant for a civil infraction.
Does Judge Krot have a relationship to the Krot Funeral Home in Hamtramck?
Why does Judge Krot hear cases prosecuted by City Attorney James P. Allen, Sr. when she used to be an attorney with his law firm, Allen Bros, PLLC – does it not smack of a possible or potential conflict of interest?
Can we trust Hamtramck city government to treat minority citizens fairly?
What is Judge Krot doing or what she has already done with the jaywalking violation prosecutions before her court?
What is the Bangladeshi-American community doing to address Judge Krot’s behavior?
Have City of Hamtramck residents recruited a candidate to run against Judge Krot in the next judicial election?
Is Judge Krot considering a resignation from her post?
Nan D
January 21, 2022 at 8:07 pm
I might consider her truly sorry if she, personally, hired a lawn service for this man for the duration of her time in office.
Jamie
May 26, 2023 at 8:49 pm
This apology was disappointing and did not sound genuine. Addressing the victim of the verbal and humiliation as the person and not by name and generalization of the public made it worse to read. Reporting yourself after the outrage of the internet Im sure was humbling for her. Referencing people making a mistake and taking ownership. Seeing his situation and needing to rely on friends and family giving his situation was not a mistake it was a hardship and unfortunate circumstances. Also valid reasons why he was unable to upkeep the yard. Shame on the neighbors to. Humanity should have made you talk your neighbor prior to reporting him and maybe help with yard or ask for family contact to make arrangements to take care of what he couldn’t. This story from beginning to end. I hope it humbles many to support kindness to others.