Sanctions placed on Florida judge who punished victim

The Florida Supreme Court is placing sanctions on a central Florida judge who jailed a domestic violence victim for not showing up to testify against her alleged abuser.

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.

During a hearing last year, Collins sentenced the crying Lake Mary woman to three days in jail for contempt. The case drew public attention after an Orlando television station broadcast the six-minute hearing where Collins became upset and berated the victim.

Collins admitted her misconduct to a judicial panel earlier this year 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 during the hearing.

Republished with permission of the Associated Press.