Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, September 25, 2026 — A Florida judge is set to receive a public reprimand from the state’s Supreme Court following remarks made during a court hearing. Judge J. Layne Smith, who presides in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, is facing disciplinary action from the highest court in Florida.

The reprimand is a consequence of comments the judge reportedly made while presiding over a hearing. According to records, Judge Smith expressed frustration during the proceedings with specific language. He is reported to have stated he wanted a deputy to “shoot all three of you.” In addition to this remark, the judge also allegedly referred to the attorneys involved in the case as “Keystone Cops” and “the Apple Dumpling Gang.” These characterizations were made during the same hearing that has now led to the Supreme Court’s action.

The Florida Supreme Court’s decision to issue a public reprimand signifies a formal censure of the judge’s conduct. Public reprimands are typically issued when a judge’s behavior is found to have violated judicial conduct rules, reflecting poorly on the integrity and decorum expected of the judiciary. The specific details of the hearing during which the comments were made, such as the nature of the case or the identities of the attorneys involved, were not provided in the information available.

The Florida Supreme Court has not released further details regarding the timeline of the reprimand or any potential impact on Judge Smith’s judicial duties beyond the formal censure. The action serves as a reminder of the ethical standards and professional conduct required of judges in Florida’s court system.


Story summarized from the original created by By News Service of Florida on www.tampabay.com, see more information here.

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