ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Supreme Court has mandated that Orange County Judge Martha Adams attend a public reprimand due to comments made during courtroom proceedings deemed inappropriate for a member of the judiciary.
In a ruling from May 8 in Case No. SC2025-0278, the court upheld findings from the Judicial Qualifications Commission, stating that Judge Adams had breached the Canons of Judicial Conduct. The court noted her behavior was characterized as biased and discourteous, particularly toward staff from the Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
While presiding over criminal cases, Judge Adams made unprofessional remarks directed at members of the State Attorney’s Office. Reports indicate she referred to one assistant state attorney with an offensive term and alluded to making the work life of another employee a “shambles.” Additionally, she expressed concerns about alleged conspiracies to remove her from the bench, stating she would need to adopt a harsher approach in her rulings.
The Supreme Court asserted that such behavior is unacceptable and violates key principles that require judges to maintain respect and impartiality in judicial settings. The court pointed out that violations of Canons 1, 2A, 3B(4), and 3B(5) call for judges to embody integrity and fair treatment toward all parties involved in the legal process.
Despite the severity of the comments, the court acknowledged Judge Adams’ previously clean disciplinary record spanning 17 years and noted that there had been no prior complaints of a similar nature. This background contributed to the decision, as the court indicated that less severe disciplinary measures would suffice.
The Judicial Qualifications Commission highlighted that Judge Adams has expressed sincere regret for her inappropriate conduct and has issued written apologies to those affected. The court accepted this mitigating factor in determining that a suspension was not warranted.
The case serves as a notable reminder of the standards expected of judicial figures and the importance of maintaining decorum in the courtroom.
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