A Florida judge is facing a formal public reprimand after reportedly asking a Black defendant during a court hearing if she had ever "chopped cotton," according to official court documents and local media reports. The incident, which occurred in July 2025, has sparked significant controversy and led to a judicial review.
Incident Details and Judicial Response
Judge John Jordan, presiding over a plea hearing on July 28, 2025, made the remarks while discussing a potential community service sentence with a 33-year-old Black defendant and her great-uncle, who is also Black. According to a transcript included in court filings, Jordan inquired of the great-uncle, "Do you own any land where I could have her work it for 30 hours?"
After the great-uncle laughed, the judge continued, "All my family’s farming. They’d love me out there. You ever—You ever chopped cotton before? You know what that is? You take a hoe and you knock out the weeds. That’ll—That’ll straighten you up real quick doing that stuff."
Admission of Inappropriate Conduct
In response to the investigation by Florida's Judicial Qualifications Commission, Judge Jordan acknowledged that his comments were "ill-considered" and inappropriate. He stated that this was the first and only time he had ever asked someone appearing before him about "chopping cotton."
The court documents reveal that Jordan admitted he failed to consider how his words could be interpreted, particularly given the historical context of demeaning stereotypes associating Black people with picking cotton. He further conceded that his remarks were not dignified and could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
Additional Judicial Misconduct
The commission's report also highlighted another incident from April 2025, during which Judge Jordan "unprofessionally scolded two public defenders in a manner that was not patient, dignified or courteous." During jury selection, outside the presence of the jury, Jordan told the attorneys to "shut up," according to the documents.
Jordan has admitted that his conduct in both incidents violated the high standards required by the Code of Judicial Conduct. The commission noted that while Jordan insists he is not a racist and that race does not improperly influence his rulings, they remain concerned about his failure to grasp the inappropriateness of his words.
Recommended Sanction and Next Steps
Judge Jordan and the Judicial Qualifications Commission have entered into a stipulation recommending a public reprimand. The commission believes this sanction will deter future misconduct and serve as a reminder to the judiciary about expected standards of courtroom decorum.
The stipulation still requires approval from the Florida Supreme Court. Local news outlets, including News 6 and the Tampa Bay Times, have reported on the filings, and The Independent has reviewed the court documents. The Independent has also reached out to Jordan's attorney for comment.
This case underscores ongoing concerns about racial sensitivity and professional conduct within the judicial system, highlighting the importance of maintaining public trust through appropriate behavior on the bench.
