SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court called a Seminole County judge's behavior "intolerable." He said Judge Ralph Eriksson has been punishing the innocent.
But Eriksson didn't get in any real trouble; he only received a public reprimand from the state supreme court.
"The Supreme Court of Florida reprimands you for misconduct," Eriksson was told.
Eriksson showed little emotion as he was publicly reprimanded Tuesday by the state supreme court for being a bad judge. Eriksson is known for being extremely outspoken in his own courtroom.
Since 2006, WFTV has reported several stories involving complaints against Judge Eriksson.
Tuesday, Chief Justice Charles Canady described Eriksson's behavior as intolerable and said he abused his position to punish innocent people.
"The way you handled these cases is all the more intolerable because the evidence suggests you were unsatisfied with the way domestic violence cases were being handled in your court," Canady said.
The decision focused on Eriksson's complaints about having to handle domestic violence hearings. He was also scolded for increasing the bond on a defendant who asked that Ericksson be removed from his case.
Eriksson has been a judge for 15 years and has worked as an assistant state attorney. In 1995, he was elected judge in the 18th Circuit in Seminole County, where he earns $134,000 a year.
But Tuesday's reprimand will have little impact on his future, since he's set to retire at the end of the year when his term expires.
"Judge Eriksson do you have any reaction to the reprimand?" WFTV reporter Vanessa Welch asked.
Eriksson did not reply, he turned his head and walked away.
Judge Eriksson did not return WFTV's calls for comment Tuesday. During prior pleadings, Eriksson has said he did nothing wrong. He will not lose his pension, but he is required to pay the court fees for the investigation, which are over $9,000.