Florida Supreme Court scolds judge who jailed domestic violence victim
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Florida Supreme Court has publicly reprimanded a judge who jailed a domestic violence victim for not showing up to testify against her alleged abuser.
CBS Orlando affiliate WKMG-TV reports that Florida Chief Justice Jorge Labarga on Tuesday told Seminole County Judge Jerri Collins that her behavior was “intolerable” when she publicly belittled the Lake Mary woman upon sentencing the victim to three days in jail for contempt last year.
“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,” Labarga said. “I cannot emphasize enough how intolerable your behavior was in this case.”
The case drew public attention after an Orlando television station broadcast the hearing where Collins became upset and berated the crying victim.
Collins has admitted her misconduct and has agreed to take an anger management course and one on domestic violence.
The Florida Supreme Court found that Collins had the legal right to jail the woman, but shouldn’t have been so mean.