UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn appeared in court once again as his legal matters remain unresolved. The appearance followed a delay in completing a mental health evaluation that had been mandated earlier in the case.
Penn’s legal troubles stem from a series of arrests over the past year. Those incidents include allegations involving a family member, a subsequent restraining order, and a separate misdemeanor charge that has yet to be settled. Because of the repeated encounters with law enforcement, the court ordered Penn to undergo an evaluation by a mental health professional.
Requests Made During the Hearing
Court documents show that Penn asked to dismiss his current attorney so he could pursue private legal representation. He expressed frustration with the lack of communication and said it prevented him from meeting court obligations.
Penn also requested that Judge Peter Kubota be removed from overseeing the case. He questioned the judge’s impartiality and told the court that he had previously attempted to file paperwork asking for a different judge. Penn said he also tried contacting the judge’s chambers directly but received no response.
“Your honor, I hear what you’re saying,” Penn said during the hearing. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with I tried to contact your chambers because I mentioned in the last time I was here about recusing you for the case and about getting a different counsel. But I can’t get through. I can’t get through to you guys.”
Judge Kubota instructed Penn to speak with his court appointed attorney first. The judge explained that if Penn still wished to change representation afterward, another hearing would be scheduled to consider that request.
The court extended the deadline for the mental health evaluation. The doctor assigned to examine Penn now has until February 23 to submit a written report. Penn is scheduled to return to court on March 2, when the judge will review the findings and decide how the case will proceed.
Penn has been arrested six times in 2025. Those arrests include two related to allegations of abuse of a family or household member, a violation of a restraining order, and a separate third degree assault misdemeanor that remains pending.
Following the initial allegations, Penn’s mother, Lorraine Shin, requested a restraining order. In her filing, she described concerns about her son’s mental state and shared statements she made to law enforcement at the time.
Penn is expected to complete the mental health evaluation before the next hearing. The court will determine any further action once the report is reviewed in March.
