‘You ever chopped cotton before?’: Judge admonished for making racially insensitive remarks to Black defendant
Judge John E. Jordan III (Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida).
A Florida judge is facing formal disciplinary action after making racially insensitive remarks during a courtroom proceeding.
The Judicial Qualifications Commission, which handles judicial discipline in Florida, recommended a public reprimand for Orange County Judge John E. Jordan III following comments he made in 2025.
The commission’s report details an incident during a plea hearing in July 2025 involving a 33-year-old Black woman charged with felony battery. The prosecution asked Jordan to impose 30 hours of community service. During the hearing, Jordan inquired whether the defendant’s great-uncle owned farmland.
“All my family’s farming,” Jordan said, according to the commission. “They’d love me out there. You ever chopped cotton before? You know what that is? You take a hoe and you knock out the weeds. That’ll straighten you up real quick doing that stuff.”
The commission described these remarks as “inappropriate,” noting the historical stereotype linking Black people with picking cotton. Jordan acknowledged that his comments were “ill-considered” and stated it was the first time he used the phrase in court.
The findings emphasized that there is no evidence Jordan’s judicial decisions have been influenced by race. “Judge Jordan insists that he is not a racist, and does not make rulings or decisions improperly based on race,” the report said. “If the Commission had such evidence, the recommended sanction would be far more severe, up to removal from office.” Jordan also cited his involvement with Florida A&M University’s law advisory committee as an example of his commitment to the Black community.
The “cotton” remark was not the only behavior under review. In April 2025, Jordan was criticized for his handling of jury selection in an aggravated battery case. The commission found that he unprofessionally scolded two public defenders, appearing frustrated that they had not discussed challenges to prospective jurors with their client.
“How much time do you need? Can I get you something to eat? Something to drink?” Jordan asked, according to the report. When the attorneys complained that they were being rushed, he allegedly raised his voice and repeatedly told them to “shut up.” The confrontation ended with Jordan calling a mistrial and recusing himself, stating, “I’m not going to deal with pettiness like this.”
Jordan has served as a judge since 2005. The Florida Supreme Court will issue the final ruling on his discipline based on the commission’s recommendation.
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