Mike Greathouse
Reptilian Dreams
Finally an "Idiot Judge" story with a happy ending.
Judge Who Wrongly Jailed 11 Loses Job
Fla. High Court Removes Judge Who Jailed 11 After They Were Directed to Wrong Courtroom
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Dec 7, 2006 (AP)— A judge who jailed 11 people because they were late for traffic court after being directed to the wrong courtroom lost his job Thursday, as the state Supreme Court ruled he was unfit to remain on the bench.
In a unanimous decision, the court said the jailing and strip-searching of the 11 motorists capped a series of conduct complaints against Seminole County Judge John Sloop, 57.
"Judge Sloop's indifference to the anxiety, humiliation and hardship imposed upon these 11 citizens reflects a callous disregard for others that is among the most egregious examples we have seen of abuse of judicial authority and lack of proper judicial temperament," the high court wrote in an unsigned opinion.
The 11 had gone to court on citations ranging from driving with a suspended license to having an illegal tag. Sloop jailed the misdirected motorists although two other judges and a bailiff had told him they were not to blame.
Another judge began paperwork to release them while Sloop was running an errand, but the motorists were not freed until they had been strip-searched and spent nine hours behind bars, the high court noted.
Sloop had also been accused of ignoring rules by refusing to release one defendant on a minor charge and treating another with rude and abusive behavior.
Sloop admitted he violated judicial canons. He blamed his behavior on undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and said he has since received treatment.
He expressed no bitterness over his removal, saying he joined the justices in hoping his removal would help restore public confidence in the judicial system.
"I spent my life helping people understand they are responsible for their actions," Sloop said. "I am responsible for the grievous things that I did."
Judge Who Wrongly Jailed 11 Loses Job
Fla. High Court Removes Judge Who Jailed 11 After They Were Directed to Wrong Courtroom
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Dec 7, 2006 (AP)— A judge who jailed 11 people because they were late for traffic court after being directed to the wrong courtroom lost his job Thursday, as the state Supreme Court ruled he was unfit to remain on the bench.
In a unanimous decision, the court said the jailing and strip-searching of the 11 motorists capped a series of conduct complaints against Seminole County Judge John Sloop, 57.
"Judge Sloop's indifference to the anxiety, humiliation and hardship imposed upon these 11 citizens reflects a callous disregard for others that is among the most egregious examples we have seen of abuse of judicial authority and lack of proper judicial temperament," the high court wrote in an unsigned opinion.
The 11 had gone to court on citations ranging from driving with a suspended license to having an illegal tag. Sloop jailed the misdirected motorists although two other judges and a bailiff had told him they were not to blame.
Another judge began paperwork to release them while Sloop was running an errand, but the motorists were not freed until they had been strip-searched and spent nine hours behind bars, the high court noted.
Sloop had also been accused of ignoring rules by refusing to release one defendant on a minor charge and treating another with rude and abusive behavior.
Sloop admitted he violated judicial canons. He blamed his behavior on undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and said he has since received treatment.
He expressed no bitterness over his removal, saying he joined the justices in hoping his removal would help restore public confidence in the judicial system.
"I spent my life helping people understand they are responsible for their actions," Sloop said. "I am responsible for the grievous things that I did."