Judge faces ‘ tough day’ in court after allegedly bringing gun to work
The Cook County state’s attorney’s office was given more time to seek a special prosecutor at a hearing Thursday for a judge who allegedly brought a loaded gun into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
“This is obviously a tough day for Judge Claps, who has an outstanding record as a jurist for over 20 years,” defense attorney Thomas Breen said after a brief hearing at the Maywood courthouse.
“He’s always been on the side of law en- forcement … it’s tough to be accused at this point in time in his life.”
Joseph Claps, 70, was allegedly seen dropping a gun on July 3 as he walked through the lobby of the courthouse, at 26th and California, according to the Cook County sheriff ’s office.
Two deputies were walking by and saw the gun and allowed Claps to pick it up and put it into his pocket, the sheriff ’s office said. The deputies later reported the incident — which was caught on the courthouse camera — to a supervisor.
Claps was charged with a misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon in a prohibited area.
A spokeswoman for the sheriff ’s office said Claps’ gun was not confiscated because confiscation is not a consequence for a Class B misdemeanor charge.
Breen said Claps has a valid FOID and concealed carry permit.