Judge reprimanded for tossing mom in jail for child’s school absences

A justice of the peace who told a minor child that “I can’t put you in jail, but I can put your mom in jail for three days” for missing school has been publicly reprimanded by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

On March 9, the commission also ordered additional education for Jared Shaw, a justice of the peace in Wilson County.

According to its findings, Evelyn Fleming was summoned to appear with her minor child on April 7, 2025, for a hearing alleging parent contributing to non-attendance. She pleaded no contest with a stated fine of $203.

While presenting her case, an assistant county attorney and school official “made rude and sarcastic comments and laughed at her,” but Shaw did not admonish them.

During the hearing, Shaw asked Fleming’s daughter if she knew how many school days she missed, with her guessing 40 days, but the school official said it was more like 83 days.

“Judge Shaw addressed the minor child stating, ‘I can’t put you in jail, but I ca...