An Orange County judge is under fire after state regulators filed formal charges detailing instances where he allegedly yelled at attorneys and made racially insensitive remarks to a Black defendant.
The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) released a “Notice of Formal Charges” on Thursday against Circuit Judge John Jordan. The document outlines two specific cases from 2025 where Jordan’s behavior allegedly violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires judges to be patient, dignified, and courteous.
The first incident occurred on April 9, 2025, during jury selection for an aggravated battery trial. According to the filing, Jordan grew annoyed with two public defenders and began speaking to them sarcastically.
“How much time do you need? Can I get you something to eat? Something to drink?” Jordan asked.
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When the attorneys told the judge they felt rushed and unfairly treated, the situation escalated. Audio recordings from the courtroom captured Jordan raising his voice and telling the public defenders to “shut up” three separate times.
When one attorney called the behavior rude, Jordan replied, “Shut up. I’m not going to listen to two people arguing.”
The tension led Jordan to abruptly declare a mistrial, stating, “I’m not going to deal with this pettiness like this.” He recused himself from the case shortly after.
The second set of charges stems from a July 28, 2025, plea hearing for a black woman facing felony battery charges. While speaking with the woman’s great-uncle, Jordan allegedly suggested she perform manual labor on family land.
“Do you own any land where I could have her work it for 30 hours?” Jordan asked. He then followed up by asking the man, “You ever chopped cotton before? You know what that is? You take a hoe and you knock out the weeds. That’ll—that’ll straighten you up real quick doing that stuff.”
The JQC Investigative Panel determined that these actions fell below the high standards expected of the judiciary. The commission specifically cited violations of rules regarding decorum and impartiality.
Judge Jordan now has 20 days to file a written response to the Florida Supreme Court. The case could eventually lead to a range of disciplines, from a public reprimand to removal from the bench.
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