As News 6\u2019s Mike DeForest told you earlier this year<\/a>, the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) filed documents March 26 in the Florida Supreme Court recommending a public reprimand for Ninth Circuit Judge John Jordan, who serves in Orange and Osceola counties. <\/p>\nJordan had agreed to the reprimand and admitted his conduct violated the state\u2019s Code of Judicial Conduct.<\/p>\n
But on Thursday, in a unanimous decision, the Florida Supreme Court announced that it was rejecting the JQC\u2019s recommendation and ordered the matter go back to a disciplinary hearing panel for a final resolution.<\/p>\n
The court did not give a reason for its decision.<\/p>\n
Jordan presided over a July 2025 plea hearing involving a 33-year-old Black female defendant in a felony battery case who was eligible to complete 30 hours of community service.<\/p>\n
While discussing how to fulfill that requirement, Jordan turned to the defendant and her great-uncle, who is also Black, according to the records.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Do) you own any land where I could have her work it for 30 hours?\u201d Jordan asked, according to the transcript included in the JQC\u2019s findings.<\/p>\n
After the great-uncle laughed, Jordan continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll my family\u2019s farming. They\u2019d love me out there,\u201d Jordan said, according to the records. \u201cYou ever chopped cotton before? You know what that is? You take a hoe and you knock out the weeds. That\u2019ll straighten you up real quick doing that stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jordan later told the JQC panel that he comes from a farming background and spent summers as a youth working his relatives\u2019 farm fields in Texas.<\/p>\n
The circuit court judge said this was the first and only time he had ever inquired whether a defendant had \u201cchopped cotton.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jordan claimed he failed to consider how his comments could be interpreted in light of the historically demeaning stereotype associating Black people with picking cotton, records show.<\/p>\n
In a separate incident in April 2025, Jordan reportedly became impatient with two public defenders during jury selection for an aggravated battery case<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much time do you need? Can I get you something to eat? Something to drink?\u201d Jordan sarcastically asked, according to the transcripts.<\/p>\n
When the defenders complained they were being rushed and treated unfairly, Jordan \u2014 in a raised voice captured on the trial\u2019s audio recording \u2014 ordered them to be quiet three times.<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up,\u201d Jordan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is rude,\u201d responded one of the public defenders.<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up,\u201d Jordan repeated.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. That is very rude,\u201d the public defender replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up. I\u2019m not going to listen to two people arguing. I\u2019ll listen to one. Okay?\u201d Jordan responded, according to the records.<\/p>\n
One of the public defenders subsequently moved for a mistrial and sought to have Jordan disqualified, citing his behavior. Jordan immediately denied both motions.<\/p>\n
The confrontation continued when the public defender described Jordan\u2019s unprofessional tone on the record later that day.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay. So, your sarcastic remark is noted. And that\u2019s not how it went down, but I understand what is going on. I\u2019m declaring a mistrial and we\u2019ll get another judge for you,\u201d Jordan said, according to the documents.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. I\u2019m done. I\u2019m not going to deal with this pettiness like this,\u201d he added, ending the proceedings.<\/p>\n
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