“Judge Collins, this is indeed a sad day for you, a sad day for the people of Florida and a sad day for the judiciary upon which our people depend for justice. I cannot emphasize enough how intolerable your behavior was in this case.”
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Welcome to The Florida Judiciary: Intolerable Judge Reprimanded After She ‘Berated and Belittled’ Woman in Open Court
Last year, a domestic-violence victim failed to appear and testify at her alleged abuser’s trial.
A Florida judge’s response was to ignore the victim’s tearful pleas, hold her in contempt of court and send her to jail.
Earlier this week, Seminole County Judge Jerri Collins found herself on the opposite side of the bench as she received her own harsh scolding from Florida’s chief justice.
Collins stood through nearly six minutes of public reprimand after the Florida Supreme Court found that she violated the state’s code of judicial conduct.
Chief Justice Jorge Labarga said Collins “berated and belittled a victim of domestic violence” and used sarcasm and inflammatory language against the woman, who repeatedly pleaded with Collins to not send her to county jail because she had to take care of her then-1-year-old son.
“The victim apologized for failing to appear, citing anxiety, depression and a desire to move on from contact with her abuser as reasons why she did not appear for trial,” Labarga said. “Meanwhile, Judge Collins, you raised your voice, used sarcasm, spoke harshly and interrupted the victim.”
Reprimand of Judge Jerri Collins can be viewed here…
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A public reprimand, and anger management classes?
Where is a “zero tolerance policy” when we need it?