In October of 2024, a New Jersey judge agreed to a suspension of 90 days for posting profane TikToks, some of which he filmed in his chambers or wearing his judicial robes. Judge Gary Wilcox posted eleven TikTok videos that show him lip-synching to songs with graphic content in his chambers, the courthouse, or at his home while wearing his judicial robes or partially undressed. In his defense, Judge Wilcox maintained that he recorded the videos on his own device during the COVID pandemic and meant to separate his personal use of TikTok from his professional life. While the Judge saw posting these videos as “innocent fun,” the NJ Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct filed a complaint based on the videos. The Committee accused him of undermining “public confidence in the judiciary” and violating the high standards of conduct expected of a judge. Judge Wilcox agreed to a suspension without pay for this conduct despite a long and unblemished legal career.

If you face discipline because of social media or digital activity, call the Lento Law Firm. We have over a decade of experience defending people's livelihoods and professional licenses. Call the Lento Law Firm License Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or submit your details online, and we will contact you.

Who Really Gets Fired For a Social Media Post?

A recent study reviewed 312 media articles in an attempt to discover the most common reasons people have been fired from their jobs for social media posts. The study found the following were the most common reasons:

• Racism: The most common reason people were fired for social media posts was real or perceived racism.
• Queerphobia: The next most common reason was other forms of discriminatory behavior, including queerphobia.
• Offensive Content: The third most common reason was offensive content, which included explicit or graphic social media comments or posts.
• Workplace Conflict: The fourth most common cause was workplace conflict or posting about a workplace conflict issue online.
• Political Content: The next most common reason was advocating for a political position at odds with the employer's interests.
• Acts of Violence and Abuse: The final broad category identified by the study was situations where a post revealed or supported an act of violence or abuse.

Social Media and Licensing Issues

Many people who are disciplined or terminated for social media and online activity also face disciplinary action from licensing boards or entities. This means that the person loses not only their job but also their ability to practice their profession or get another job. Any of the above issues can result in disciplinary board charges. If you are terminated from a position because of digital activity, you should immediately assess whether the reason given by your employer might cause licensing issues.

Contact the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team if you face disciplinary action because of a social media comment or post. We are a nationwide firm defending the rights and reputations of professional license holders. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888.535.3686 or leave your details on our online form, and we will contact you.