Judge Drops Gun In Courthouse, Charged With Misdemeanor (VIDEO)

CHICAGO, IL — A Cook County judge faces a misdemeanor weapons charge after he was caught on security camera video last week dropping what appears to be a gun in a Chicago courthouse. Judge Joseph Claps, 70, was charged with possessing a weapon on a prohibited location, and he was placed on nonjudicial duty while he awaits an executive committee ruling Wednesday, according to WGN-TV News.

The incident happened July 3 at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, 2650 S. California Ave. The video shows the gun falling to the ground from Claps' jacket while the judge is walking in the building's lobby. He then stops to pick up the firearm before continuing on his way.

The gun drop was spotted by a Cook County sheriff's deputy who reported the incident, WGN reports. Officials at the sheriff's office reviewed the video before charging the judge, who was cooperative during the investigation, the law enforcement agency told WGN.

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Claps — a Cook County judge for more than 20 years, 15 of them in the Criminal Division — was never taken into custody, and he was released on his own recognizance after being charged, according to the Chicago Tribune. His first court appearance will be next week in Maywood, and Cook County prosecutors will ask the Illinois Attorney General’s office to work the case in order to avoid any conflict of interest, the report added.

Authorities believe the gun was loaded when Claps dropped it, the Tribune reports. Although he has an FOID card and a concealed carry license, the judge is not allowed to have a firearm in the courthouse.

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