TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A Wakulla County judge could receive a public reprimand for telling attorneys, in a moment of frustration, that he “would like to tell the deputy of pull his gun and shoot all three of you,” according to Florida Supreme Court documents.
Formal charges were filed against Judge J. Layne Smith, who serves in Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit, after he self-reported his behavior in a September hearing.
During that hearing, Smith made several “intemperate comments,” including referring to the attorneys as the “gang who cannot shoot straight,” and suggested they work out the issues in the case in an office with “teddy bears and nursery rhyme stories” to “console themselves.”
According to court documents, Smith took responsibility for his conduct and admitted it was inappropriate, during a hearing with the Investigative Panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission.
The panel is tasked with prosecuting ethical violations by judges. Ultimately, the Florida Supreme Court handles the discipline, though judges and the panel often reach stipulations like they did in this case.
“Judge Smith has expressed remorse and regrets that his actions have reflected poorly on the judiciary,” court documents read.
Because of Smith’s cooperation with the investigation and his lack of any prior disciplinary history, the Panel entered an agreement with Smith and recommended a public reprimand.
A public reprimand is less serious than other options, like a suspension, according to the Florida Bar.
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