Brazilian Judge Removed After Drinking Wine, Smoking During Virtual Hearing; Accuses Courts of Corruption

A judge in Brazil's Minas Gerais state has been removed from his duties after being caught drinking wine and smoking during a virtual court hearing. Milton Lívio Lemos Salles was filmed in this state during an online session on Monday, August 10, 2026, while wearing shorts.

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He is deprived of self-control and the faculties required for the performance of his duties.

National Justice Corregidor Mauro Campbell Marques stated that Judge Salles was "deprived of self-control and the faculties required for the performance of his duties." Campbell ordered Salles's provisional removal from all court activities, prohibiting him from accessing court facilities and electronic systems. The Corregidor emphasized that decisions affecting citizens' rights and freedoms cannot be made by a magistrate who clearly lacks self-control during a public proceeding.

Simultaneously, the Corregidor-General of Justice of Minas Gerais, Raimundo Messias Júnior, also ordered Salles's removal. Salles, who has been a judge for 36 years, reportedly expressed feeling "tired." Adding another layer to the controversy, Salles later released a video accusing several judicial bodies, including the Minas Gerais Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, the Supreme Federal Court, and Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of corruption.

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We cannot allow decisions affecting the rights and freedom of the governed to be made by a magistrate who, in a public act of judgment, reveals himself to be ostentatiously deprived of self-control and the faculties required for the performance of his duties.

The investigation by the National Justice Corregidor aims to ascertain the facts surrounding Salles's conduct. Campbell has requested that his decision be reviewed by the National Council of Justice (CNJ) during its next session. The ruling cited media reports detailing the magistrate's behavior during the virtual trial, which was suspended once his consumption of alcohol and a cigarette became apparent.

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I am tired.