Tallahassee, Fla. — Florida’s highest judicial body, the Supreme Court, has mandated a 60-day unpaid suspension and public reprimand for Seminole County Judge Wayne Culver, citing instances of inappropriate conduct in his courtroom. This decisive action reflects the court’s adherence to maintaining decorum and civility within the state’s judiciary system.
The disciplinary measures, enforced on November 27 in case SC2022-0846, come after the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) determined Judge Culver breached several judicial conduct codes. Culver was found guilty of exhibiting abusive behavior and not upholding the required patience, dignity, and courtesy during court proceedings in early 2022.
The origins of the JQC’s investigation trace back to three separate incidents involving Culver’s intemperate behavior. A notable episode on February 9 involved Samuel Perez, who appeared before Culver in a hearing regarding a violation of an injunction. Despite Perez’s cooperative demeanor, Culver found him in direct criminal contempt for not completing a required intervention program, immediately imposing a 179-day jail sentence.
Further exacerbating concerns, on February 10, Culver was reported to have aggressively addressed an attendee, Kevin Newton, using profanity and threatening contempt of court, solely because Newton was trying to find a seat in the already packed courtroom.
During his disciplinary hearing, Judge Culver acknowledged his surprising use of profanity, admitting that it was shocking and would understandably dismay the public. His actions on both occasions were found to transgress judicial expectations so significantly that they brought his suitability for the bench into question.
However, the court also heard mitigating evidence that depicted another side of Culver. Witnesses including state attorneys, public defenders, and fellow judges vouched for Culver’s character, describing the incidents as isolated and attributing them to the intense emotional distress he experienced while caring for his terminally ill father.
Judge Culver has been proactive about seeking mental health counseling for the past two years, showing both remorse and cooperation throughout the investigation. The JQC found him to be genuinely remorseful, believing these incidents are unlikely to recur and viewing him as still effective in his judicial duties.
In conclusion, the court pointed out that while it expects Culver to continue his mental health treatment, formal orders were not issued regarding continued counseling, citing constitutional provisions on allowable sanctions.
The court’s decision underscores a commitment to upholding the integrity of the judiciary and the essential trust the public places in it. However, while this incident reflects a lapse in that trust, the court’s response and Culver’s remedial actions suggest a pathway to restoration, balancing justice with judicial accountability.
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