A Jacksonville judge who faced possible discipline for comments like calling a woman with a case before him an “entitled little snot” has retired before any punishment was ordered.
Circuit Judge Eric C. Roberson’s retirement took effect October 1, the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission said in a notice to the Florda Supreme Court posted October 13.
The commission dismissed misconduct claims that were pending against Roberson, who is not yet 50, due to his retirement and an agreement to not hold judicial office in the future, the notice said.
The departure leaves open a seat where Gov. Ron DeSantis could appoint a successor judge to serve until
January 2031.
A former Duval County Court judge, Roberson had served on Northeast Florida’s Fourth Judicial Circuit since his 2017 appointment by former Gov. Rick Scott.
He last won a new six-year term through the 2024 election process but became the subject of complaints about unguarded comments he made from the bench.
In June, the qualifications commission said a panel had found probable cause to think his conduct might have violated 11 parts of Florida's Code of Judicial Conduct though his handling of several cases.
In one, the panel said Roberson “made remarks and issued findings that conveyed bias … without legal or factual support,” while the panel also faulted his handling of a case involving a woman from another state who filed a stalking complaint.
Roberson was said to have told that woman “there’s something seriously off with you... and it’s a shock there hasn’t been criminal charges for this. Part of me wants to just ban you from ever coming back to our state.”
An attorney representing Roberson said in June his client was “remorseful that his conduct fell below the standard expected of judges.”
But in July, attorney Scott Richardson told the commission that Roberson’s “conduct is not that of which he most proud,” but “has nonetheless not disqualified him from holding judicial office.”
A hearing panel of judges, attorneys and lay people was organized to recommend a suitable discipline but had not made its decision before the case was dismissed.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida judge who called woman 'little snot' quits, ending state review
