"The Robing Room: IL State Judges

Hon. Jean M. Cocozza	See Rating Details
Associate Judge Circuit Court
Cook County Cook Judicial Circuit	See Comments

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General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

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What others have said about Hon. Jean M. Cocozza

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL4421
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Worst judge ever! Covers up for dead beats, removes fathers from delinquents child support debt, locks up children, hides evidence,threatens to lock up mothers and smiles in front of you as if she has don't nothing wrong. A mule has more common sense that this pathetic judge. She is the joke! She will be exposed

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL4402
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Best judge ever ! Tina your joke LMAO

Litigant

Comment #: IL4390
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge would rule based on emotion and not clarity of the justice system. She endangered the lives of many children

Litigant

Comment #: IL4389
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge got demoted to the mortgage forclosure division for her wrongful rulings against the best interest of children in several cases! Justice was finally served on her. Now she just needs to be out and not reelected

Litigant

Comment #: IL4111
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I wish there was a lower rating than one. My custody case lasted seven years under this judge. The judge kept continuing the case and there was always some requirement to meet before going to trial. I finally hired another lawyer who wasn't afraid to demand a trial. Judge Cocozza thankfully transferred the case. If you get this judge, please pray your case is transferred or you won't get any kind of Justice.

Litigant

Comment #: IL4098
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Cocozza is supposed to be out of the domestic relations division, yet she continues to mishandle my domestic relations case by purposefully delaying to vacate the invalid orders she issued on account of her "friend" Sheri Kessler wearing the robe. If you have Sheri Kessler and Judge Jean Cocozza assigned to "handle" your case, you should run or have your case moved to a competent judge and child representative who are not one sided. Judge Jean Cocozza ordered on August 2016 that my son is not to be removed from the state of Illinois, yet Sheri Kessler recommends to the judge to have my son attend a therapy school in California to keep him away from his mother. This isn't justice, it is premeditated actions that go against the best interest of the child who btw is 15 years old. I now realize why there is no justice in Cook County because of incompetent and liable individuals like Judge Cocozza and Sheri Kessler. They both work together to extend and delay court proceedings while having the children and families involved in the case to continue suffering. Judge Jean Cocozza issues illegal orders behind pro se litigants, and once the damage is done, she doesn't own up to fixing her errors. Instead, she delays to vacate her invalid orders issued 2.3 years ago. See case no. 2008 D 79220 among many other that should be investigated.

Other

Comment #: IL4048
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Cocozza is out of the domestic relations division. She was awful.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL4029
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The worst nightmare ??
Unprofessional, wants to practice the law on her convenience. I have been in a case since 2017, doesn't provide solutions, keep postponing hearings trial, assigned a GLA who doesn't do anything than passing her bill every month over 25k " we own her" . GLA doesn't have clue of her cases has a bunch and it is court time her reports aren't accurate. I have been spending over 30k on attorneys just to stop parenting time from a sexual abuser indicated by DCFS towards both of my daughters. He is a drug user, has mental health problems, owns child support since 2017 e.t.c.. With all the evidence on from of Cocozza and she has not been able to make justice. Her integrity is very questionable.

Litigant

Comment #: IL4016
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Jean Cocozza relies on Child Rep Sheri Kessler to make the decisions over the cases. This goes to show that Cook County needs judges who are decisive and do not get manipulated by child representatives. This child representative has ties in the court and controls what is being filed, what should be heard, when to have a court date set; Sheri kessler manipulates the cases because Judge Jean Cocozza covers up everything for her. Do you think this is a fair justice system? I think not. I am disappointed in this judge. I had given her many opportunities to correct her wrong doings. Yet Cocozza is bipolar, she follows everything Sheri Kessler dictates to her. Judge Jean Cocozza has been reported to Chief Judge Evans for her negligence, and continuous errors caused on many cases.

Other

Comment #: IL3951
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Domestic Violence Case 2008 D 79220

I have been waiting for this judge to vacate her invalid and illegal orders she issued in November 2019. She took my rights away in less than 26 days, where I had no attorney or notice or trial. These orders were issued after Trial Judge Murphy ruled that I the mother of my son have primary custody. My son has lived with me his entire life and I received no help or support from his father.

On the contrary, his father who is a police officer at Tinley Park Police Department falsely reported my son missing in the same department he works at. The father is on supervised visitation for over 6 years, delinquent on child support for over 12 years, and with a Texas permanent restraining order for assaulting another women. Yet, this same judge has not acted knowing that my son is currently in the possession at his father in Romeoville IL without any supervision. There is no justice in Cook County. She sweet talks first, but doesn't want to rule to upset her Attorney friends Sheri Kessler and Sabra Ebersole. I'm done waiting! Cocozza held onto my pro bono attorney filed substitution of counsel for over a year, leaving me without an attorney on purpose. Cocozza is purposefully having me wait these two years for her to fix the mess she created. I am not seeing any justice and I will go to the press if at the next hearing she doesn't act immediately.

Litigant

Comment #: IL3932
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Since when is it not an emergency for a child to receive urgent medical treatment when the child is stating in writing they are having pain in private area and the biological father refuses to take him to see his doctor. Sheri Kessler the child representative under case no 2008D79220 falsely reports to Judge Cocozza over my son's health and well being.

The biological father named Daniel Bacerott is a police officer at Tinley Park Police Department where the child was fake reported missing. The child never lived in Tinley Park. The father was on supervised visitation for over 6 years for assaulting the mother and child. The child has always resided with the biological mother all his life. The father is delinquent in child support arrearage for over 14 years and damaged the mothers career, life, along with the child's life because he has ties with law enforcement.

Judge Cocozza signed orders on November 2019 because of the lies Sabra Ebersole and Sheri Kessler provided to the court to have an upper advantage when the mother had no legal representation or notice to appear in court. 30 days after the trial judge ruling issued by Murphy granting the mother primary custody and they magically take her rights away when the mother is legally defenseless. This is unjustified and will be published to local news if these issues are not corrected.

Other

Comment #: IL3918
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
2008 D 79220
My son was recently diagnosed with a tumor that can be possibly malignant. Yet the clerk (coordinator of Cocozza) states it is not urgent and my son can wait another 30 days before the judge determines whether my son can see his primary physician for further treatment and surgery.

This is all because Sheri Kessler the child representative manipulates the court clerks along with the inner staff to set her own schedule. I will hold each and everyone accountable in the county if my son is neglected from medical treatment leading to cancer. This is very negligent that the Judge finds out after the damage is done what is going on. The judge signed illegal orders created by Sabra Ebersole and Sabra and Sheri continue to cover up and intimidate my attorney for their own agenda. The judge needs to correct this mistake because my life and my sons life was ruined because of Sabra and Sheri filing motions and getting their own written orders signed behind my back.

Litigant

Comment #: IL3873
Rating:1.0

Comments:
see case 2008 d 79220

I would like to share what my son and I are going thru on account of Cocozza failing to rule on my attorney's filed motion for substitution of counsel. Cocozza held onto this motion for over a year, and issued orders without me having any legal representation or a 30 day notice to defend myself. I am being punished by Cocozza and Murphy for having filed my second appeal in their court. Both Cocozza and Murphy hid the Illinois Enforcement Agency Pending judgement to collect arrearage owed by my ex since 2008.

Court Staff

Comment #: IL3833
Rating:1.0

Comments:
One would think that under most court circumstances that a judge need not constantly yell and scream, especially when on Zoom meetings due to the COVID-19 closures; however, Judge Cocozza has the legal maturity less than a toddler having a tantrum. Her composure compared to other Judges I have worked with is downright appalling. She is not only an embarrassment to herself but also to court staff who are trapped with her. But if you are a deadbeat father, rest assured she will show positive prejudice for you, and you will succeed with her on your undeserving side. My heart breaks for the good moms who this judge unfairly threatens with contempt. I really hope, for everyone involved, she leaves the bench soon.

Other

Comment #: IL3797
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I have appealed this judge twice because she takes matters personally instead of applying the law. I have reported her as well as these corrupt Attorneys to the higher authorities for further investigation.

Cocozza punished me for having filed an appeal because at trial the judge failed to address the fathers child support delinquency going on 12 years now. There is a pending judgment issued by the Illinois Enforcement Unit. Instead of addressing the appeal, she ignores it, and has a secret meeting with opposing counsel to remove my rights away with no legal grounds whatsoever. I had no attorney to represent me nor any notice of this hearing. Cocozza and the opposing counsel have a close relationship and schedule meetings where I find out later of what they do behind my back. Cocozza has taken a year to sign the substitution of counsel so that I can now have an Attorney to represent me.
Now that we are attempting to clean up the mess that Cocozza created, she wants to threaten to remove my child and put to DCFS when my son has never been endangered by me or my family. This judge is a joke. She doesn't like me representing myself and when I do have an Attorney she puts my case off call to avoid addressing the substitution of counsel. She needs to put the children on these cases first before her close affairs with the pro father Attorneys.

Other

Comment #: IL3756
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge I pray is not longer in her seat. She was screaming and told us not to come back to her court room. This is child support that just had to be enforced. She appears to not mind that my ex called me a b....in front of her without any reaction from her or consequences to him. I have to return because she is not knowledgeable at all. She is a terrible representation of a judge and I believe a lawyer.

Other

Comment #: IL3670
Rating:1.0

Comments:
How is this lady still on the bench? She is racist and hates women! Get rid of this clown

Other

Comment #: IL3632
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
does not know what she is doing. she is quick to show temperament and throw cases. she has no experience with domestic violence cases. Jean Cocozza, Timothy Murphy, Sheri Kessler, and Sabra Ebersole conspire to throw and sabotage cases for their own personal & profitable gain. They premeditate cases prior to any trial taking place. Be careful with this group.

Other

Comment #: IL3575
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This Judge is a joke! I don’t know if it’s Hispanics or just women she has an issue with! Definitely shows favoritism! She never has the best interest of the child in mind. She doesn’t even care to hear what issues are going on she brushes everything under the carpet. She needs to go!

Other

Comment #: IL3368
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Highly incompetent and a liar on the bench. Shows favoritism. Rulings are illogical and issues body attachments for revenge. She really needs to be off the bench.

Court Staff

Comment #: IL2646
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Cocozza inability to handle civil and family matters logically and without prejudice makes her an incompetent addition to Cook County Ciruit Clerks Office.

Prosecutor

Comment #: IL2521
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Prior, Jean worked as a traffic clerk. She received her current position through an unethical loophole, and many of us who pass through her courtroom have heard the rumors of her marital affairs. Regardless of gossip, I see her frequently destroying families by kicking the can, tying them up in unnecessary legal fees because she is incompetent and refuses to do her job. She calls in GALs, child reps, therapists, social workers, etc., for simple and straightforward cases that she should just make rule and enter. Beyond her lack of qualifications, she is just simply a miserable person. She struts in late with her LV bag and complains complains complains. She forgets that she is a public servant and is nothing but an entitled old brat. I feel for all of the families with cases at her bench. She needs to go.

Other

Comment #: IL2314
Rating:1.0

Comments:
A completely horrible experience.

Other

Comment #: IL2243
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Flew to Illinois for court case. Explained to her I can't afford a GAL or traveling back and forth for court dates, raising a teenage minor.
She assigned a GAL, anyway.
She is clearly a BUCK-er ( passes the buck) to generate $$ revenue.
She doesn't look at documents, she goes by what she is told DHS, GAL, etc...

Other

Comment #: IL2095
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I have been a paralegal for several years and I have never come across a Judge so ridiculous than this. She is incompetent, distasteful, and thoughtless. I never want to appear in front of this judge ever again. She claims she runs "a smooth courtroom" when in fact it's her that complicates the process. She always has an issue with something and even makes evil faces when she is upset. Just picture someone who always has a bad day and you will vividly display Jean Cocozza ( I refuse to call her judge because she is so underserving of the title) She is miserably sitting on the bench and constantly worrying about how many "bodies" are in her courtroom. She complains about how her courtroom is so little, she has too many cases, and she even fusses at her own states attorneys in the room while they are clearly working. I mean I just feel terrible for whoever has to go before her even myself. Although I did receive a decision in my favor, it still does not waiver the fact that someone like her does not deserve to be on the bench. She doesn't act human at all but like a spoiled brat who doesn't want to be a judge at all. She has no temperament to run a courtroom and she be removed immediately and make room for judge who "actually" care and are considerate.

Litigant

Comment #: IL2023
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Totally incompetent, refuses to make any decision to uphold the law or offer any relief. Have been to 4 hearing officers on scheduled trial days only to keep receiving continuances. Incapable of making any decision without copious amounts of input from other judges.

Other

Comment #: IL1685
Rating:9.0

Comments:
Judge Cocozza is a very fair judge whom listens to both parties and looks at the facts presented to her. With those facts she makes a non-biased decision and does not let emotion or personal prejudice rule the court. More judges should be like her.

Other

Comment #: IL1409
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She should not be a judge! Every attorney that I have spoken with all agree that Judge Cocozza does NOT follow the law and she should never be a judge in any area of the law!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL1321
Rating:1.7

Comments:
Unqualified. She shouldn't be a judge!