Has U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Soma resigned? Has he rescinded his resignation? If so, which was effective? No one knows for sure.

In a letter to the editor published in Lawyers Weekly on April 7, Somma wrote that the outpouring of support had led him to conclude that, contrary to his initial belief, "the media frenzy occasioned by this episode would not be an impediment to my continued service as a judge." Consequently, he wrote, he was "communicating with the Court of Appeals concerning my status."

The episode in question was Judge Soma getting arrested for DUI while wearing a dress. (I mean, he was arrested for DUI, and happened to be wearing a dress at the time. Not that he was popped for "driving while intoxicated and wearing a dress." I don't think that's a separate crime. Certainly not in Massachusetts.)

He should pay the penalty for drunk driving, but if it's his first offense, I don't think it's sufficient to require his removal from the bench. And the dress doesn't enter into it at all. I mean, the black robes are pretty much like a dress anyway.

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