Top Fla. Court Nixes Judge's Ethics Deal, Says He Needs to Lose 60 Days' Pay for Belittling Lawyers
A Florida judge had agreed to accept a public reprimand for his rude behavior to a number of attorneys.
But that sanction, although OK’d by the Judicial Qualifications Commission, wasn’t sufficient punishment for Orange-Osceola Circuit Judge Tim Shea, 56, the state’s top court says. It held that Shea needs to lose 60 days’ pay and apologize in writing to the lawyers concerned. Many are female prosecutors in Orange County, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
The newspaper couldn’t immediately reach Shea or his counsel and it isn’t clear whether he will accept the 60-day suspension as an alternative agreed punishment. In its ruling two weeks ago, the Florida Supreme Court gave him 30 days to accept or reject the revised deal.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Fla. Judge Agrees to Reprimand for Allegedly Yelling At and Insulting Lawyers, Especially Women”
