SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A judge who drew national attention for berating a domestic-violence victim last July has agreed to a public reprimand from the Florida’s highest court, according to a document filed Thursday in the state Supreme Court.
Judge Jerri Collins was also ordered by an investigative panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission to attend an anger management course, which she completed last week. Collins also must complete a domestic violence course.
WFTV legal analyst Belvin Perry said Collins is going along with the punishment because fighting it could bring greater consequences.
"The supreme court is not a rubber stamp and they will not be a rubber stamp," Perry said.
Related story: Judge ordered to attend anger management class
Eyewitness News has followed this story since the beginning when Collins berated and belittled a domestic violence victim for not showing up to testify in court.
See the video: Judge berates domestic violence victim
The woman told Collins that she had been having anxiety for months after she was attacked by the father of her child.
“You think you're going to have anxiety now? You haven't even seen anxiety,” Collins said.
The woman was sentenced to three days in jail after being found in contempt of court. She told Channel 9 the incident would prevent her from calling for help in the future.
The Supreme Court has ultimate authority over disciplining judges.
Cox Media Group