9 Investigates

Judge ordered to attend anger management class after berating domestic violence victim

A Seminole County judge was ordered by the Florida Supreme Court to attend anger management classes after she was captured on camera screaming at a domestic violence victim in court.
Judge Jerri Collins is seen berating a domestic violence victim, then sending the woman to jail for skipping her abuser's trial.
The Florida Supreme Court sent a letter to Collins, denying a plea deal that she worked out for a public reprimand and ordering her to take anger management courses and a domestic violence course.
Video of the incident in the courtroom went viral.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Documents: Judicial Qualifications Commission recommendation

Documents: Original complaint against Judge Jerri Collins

During a contempt of court hearing in July, the woman told Collins that she had been having anxiety for months after she was attacked by the father of her child.
“You think you're going to have anxiety now? You haven't even seen anxiety,” said Collins.
The woman said she told the state's victim's advocate that she wanted to drop the charges and move on with her life rather than testify, but she was still called in to court.
“Why didn't you show up to court?” Collins asked. "You need to tell the court why I should not hold you in contempt of court,. I can sentence you to jail.”

After the woman failed to show up, she received no pity from Collins during the brief hearing.

The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission recommended a public reprimand against Collins in March, but the Supreme Court ruled that was not enough, writing that it's “clearly not OK; you are held to a higher standard.”
WFTV legal analyst and former Chief Judge Belvin Perry said that in recent years, the Florida Supreme Court has overruled several stipulated agreements made by judges who break the rules.
The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission recommended a suspension and fine against Brevard County Judge John Murphy when he threatened to fight an attorney in his courtroom. Instead, the Supreme Court took him off the bench.
“They're supposed to be that one calming force, that one steady person at the helm,” said Perry.
Perry said Collins' course requirements for domestic violence and anger management should serve as a warning to other judges.          
“The Supreme Court is not a rubber stamp, and they will not be a rubber stamp,” said Perry.
Collins can request a hearing to fight the ruling.
The attorney representing Collins has not returned Channel 9’s request for comment.

Cox Media Group

0

Most Read