Florida judge who punished domestic violence victim will be reprimanded
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A central Florida judge who jailed a domestic violence victim for not showing up to testify against her alleged abuser faces sanctions from the state Supreme Court.
The court on Thursday ordered that Seminole County Judge Jerri Collins take an anger management class and attend a domestic violence course. Collins will also be publicly reprimanded.
Last year, Collins sentenced a Lake Mary woman to three days in jail for contempt. The case drew public attention after an Orlando television station broadcast the hearing where Collins became upset and berated the crying victim.
Collins admitted her misconduct to a judicial panel, but contended she had a legal right to charge the women with contempt since she ignored a subpoena. But she said she should have been more patient and less aggressive.