On Monday, March 23, 2026, the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) recommended that Judge John Jordan of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida receive a public reprimand for violating Canons 1, 2A, 3B(4), and 3B(5) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The recommendation stems from two separate incidents in April and July 2025, which the JQC deemed as misconduct.
The first incident occurred on April 9, 2025, during jury selection for an aggravated battery case. According to the JQC’s findings, Judge Jordan unprofessionally scolded two public defenders in a manner that lacked patience, dignity, and courtesy. Annoyed that the public defenders did not confer with their client during the lunch break regarding potential challenges to prospective jurors, Judge Jordan sarcastically asked, “How much time do you need? Can I get you something to eat? Something to drink?.” When the public defenders complained about being unfairly treated and rushed, Judge Jordan, in a raised voice, ordered them three times to “Shut up.” Following this, one of the public defenders moved for a mistrial and to disqualify Judge Jordan, but Judge Jordan immediately denied both motions. Judge Jordan then declared a mistrial, and the proceedings were concluded.
The second incident took place on July 28, 2025, during a plea hearing in a felony battery case involving a 33-year-old black female defendant. While discussing possible sanctions with the defendant and her great-uncle (who is also black) regarding the defendant completing 30 hours of community service, Judge Jordan inquired, “Sure. [great-uncle] do you own any land where I could have her work it for 30 hours?.” He then added, “All my family’s farming. They’d love me out there. You ever—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”.
Judge Jordan acknowledged that it was the first and only time he had ever inquired whether a person appearing before him had ever “chopped cotton” and admitted that his questions and comments in this instance were ill-considered. He recognized that he failed to consider how his comments, as a judge considering whether to order a black defendant to “work the land,” immediately followed by a reference to “chopping cotton,” could have been interpreted as inappropriate, especially in light of the historically demeaning stereotype associating black people with picking cotton.
The JQC noted that following the April 9, 2025, incident, Judge Jordan was cautioned by an administrative judge about the need to be more measured in his interactions and not to make discourteous, undignified, and impatient comments. The JQC remains concerned that Judge Jordan failed to grasp in the moment, or in the days thereafter, how his words clearly were inappropriate. The commission believes that this sanction will deter Judge Jordan’s misconduct in the future and serve as an example and reminder to the judiciary about the high standard of courtroom decorum and behavior expected of judges.
Judge Jordan has agreed to and admitted the facts and circumstances described in the Notice of Formal Charges and agrees that his actions constitute violations of Canons 1, 2A, 3B(4), and 3B(5) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. He has expressed deep regret and embarrassment that his conduct could have eroded the public’s perception of the integrity of the judiciary.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
