Appointed to the bench in 2005 by then-Governor Jeb Bush, the Florida County Judge Jerri Collins found herself in front of the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday, being publicly reprimanded—live on TV. This was Judge Collins’ penalty for her repugnant treatment of a domestic abuse victim who failed to show up to her abuser’s trial.
The victim in this case said it was anxiety that caused her not to show up. In response, Judge Jerri Collins told the victim:
“You think you’re going to have anxiety now? You haven’t even seen anxiety,”
The victim replied:
“I’m just not in a good place right now.”
“I’m homeless now. I’m living at my parents’ house,” the woman said as she sobbed. “Everything has been shut off. I just sold everything I own.”
Collins responded with veracious scorn:
“And violating your court order did not do anything for you. I find you in contempt of court. I hereby sentence you to three days in the county jail,” said the judge.
While being taken into custody the victim cried out:
“Judge, I’ll do anything. Please, please!” the woman begged. “I have a 1-year-old son and I’m trying to take care of him by myself. I’m begging you, please, please!”
Collins was unmoved. The victim was sentenced to three days in jail. Her abuser got 16 days.
It’s too bad former Florida District Attorney Angela Corey wan’t publicly reprimanded for her treatment of single mother and domestic violence victim Marissa Alexander, who fired a shot into the air to keep her serial abuser husband from attacking her and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Florida has a long way to go. This is hopefully the start of new direction. No victim of domestic violence should ever be treated so cruel and disrespectfully. Ever.
Source: Judge who berated and jailed a domestic abuse victim gets her day in court—and it’s not pretty