Robert Thomas Johnson at a glance
- Current role
- Justice
- Current assignment
- New York Supreme Court, Bronx County
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Robert Thomas Johnson
Justice · New York Supreme Court, Bronx County
Biography
Professional career
- Justice, New York Supreme Court, Bronx County, NY, 2016-present
- Justice, Supreme Court, (Certificated), Bronx County, Civil Term, Elected, 2016 to 2025
- Administrative Law Judge, New York Supreme Court, Bronx County, New York, NY, 2019-2021
- Johnson held the role of a Justice of the New York Supreme Court in the 12th Judicial District from 2016 until his resignation in 2021
- District Attorney, Bronx County District Attorney's Office, New York, NY, 1989-2015
- Notable roles: Bronx County DA (1988–2005), Criminal Court Judge, NY Supreme Court Justice
- In 1988, Johnson won the Democratic primary and general election for Bronx County District Attorney, becoming the first African-American elected to that office in New York State
- In 1988, he became Bronx County District Attorney, the first African-American elected to that role in New York State, serving six terms and becoming the longest-serving DA in the county’s history
- Judge, The Criminal Court of the City of New York, New York, New York, NY, 1986-1988
- In 1986, Mayor Edward Koch appointed him as a New York City Criminal Court judge
- Assistant District Attorney, Bronx District Attorney's Office, New York, NY, 1978-1986
- Previously a New York City Criminal Court judge, an acting justice of the New York State Supreme Court, and a long-time Bronx County district attorney in New York City
- Former judge of the New York Supreme Court, 12th Judicial District (Bronx County)
- Advocacy for effective criminal justice and drug crime prevention
- Serving as a judge in a high-profile district with significant legal and social challenges
- Honored in Black History Month events as one of the notable African-American judges of Bronx County, Johnson is remembered for his public service, leadership, and advocacy for justice
Education
- B.A. in Philosophy from City College of New York and later a J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1975 Alchetron
- Philosophy — CUNY City College — 1972
Additional information
- Elected in the 2015 New York judicial elections after a Democratic primary and general election, defeating other candidates in a six-seat race.
- After law school, Johnson served as a defense attorney for the Legal Aid Society before joining the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office in 1978, rising to head the Narcotics Bureau.
- Johnson’s legal career began as a defense attorney for the Legal Aid Society in 1975, followed by a promotion to Narcotics Bureau Chief in the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office.
- Johnson grew up in the Amsterdam Houses housing project on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, attended James Monroe High School, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1970.
- Born February 18, 1948, in the Bronx, New York.
- Date of birth: 1948-01-01
- Served six terms, making him the longest-serving DA in the county’s history.
- American jurist best known for his long career as Bronx County District Attorney and his service as a New York State Supreme Court Justice
- Practitioner, Legal Aid Society of the City of New York-Criminal Defese Division, NY, ?-present
- Current court assignment: Supreme Court, (Certificated), Bronx County, Civil Term
- Before his judgeship, he was a New York City Criminal Court judge and an Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court
- His tenure was marked by high-profile cases, drug enforcement, and a notable dispute with New York Governor George Pataki over the death penalty
- His tenure included a high-profile death penalty controversy with New York Governor George Pataki
- Birth place: The Bronx, New York City, NY
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms.
Taking photographs, films or videotapes, or audiotaping, broadcasting or telecasting, in a courthouse including any courtroom, office or hallway thereof, at any time or on any occasion, whether or not the court is in session, is forbidden, unless permission of the Chief Administrator of the Courts or a designee of the Chief Administrator is first obtainedPart 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗
Exhibits
Statewide
The official Guide to New York Evidence identifies court control over presentation of evidence as a statewide evidence topic; counsel should expect the assigned judge to control the mode and order of proof.
1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCEGuide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Bronx County Supreme Court
State criminal proceedings only; section-specific court and case exceptions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-2722 NYCRR Part 202 — Uniform Civil Rules Supreme Court And County Court
Bronx County Supreme Court
Civil actions and proceedings only; section-specific and specialized-part restrictions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Bronx County Supreme Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Bronx County Supreme Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New York Supreme Court, Bronx County current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View New York Supreme Court, Bronx County current judicial profile ↗Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗Service record and verification
- Bronx County Supreme Court · Justice · Current · present
- Bronx County Supreme Court · Justice · Historical or current service unconfirmed
- Bronx County Supreme Court · Justice · Historical or current service unconfirmed · 2016-01-01