An advisory panel to the state Supreme Court ruled that a circuit court judge in Broward County, Florida, was unsuitable to serve due to his “exceptionally bad jokes,” bias, and poor attendance. The judge will be suspended with effect from next week.
According to court documents, Broward Circuit Court Judge Gary Farmer, a Democrat and former Florida state senator, is being placed on indefinite leave by the Investigative Panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (FJQC) pending a disposition hearing.
The suspension takes effect on Monday at 11:59 p.m.
About a month after the FJQC that Farmer be suspended, the decision was made.
In October 2024, the commission’s panel demanded that Farmer’s remarks be looked into further. The panel decided there was probable cause to proceed with the probe following a probable cause hearing in December 2024.
Several examples of what some would consider inappropriate remarks by Farmer were found during the examination.
“Through his extensive misconduct, occurring over a lengthy period of time, Judge Farmer has damaged the public’s perception of the judiciary and the judicial branch in such a way that he has demonstrated a present unfitness to serve,” according to the investigators.
The charges state that on August 15, 2024, Farmer was overseeing a criminal case when he learned the defendant was expecting three children.
Farmer made fun of the man who was expecting three children with various women, according to court filings.
“OK, you’ve been busy. You were just shooting all over the place!” Farmer stated to the man. “That’s good. Do you know their names? First and last? Romantic, are you? Don’t tell Susie about Jane. Don’t tell Jane about Mary. God bless you, man. One’s enough.”
It was later claimed that Farmer informed the defendant that he would place him on pretrial release.
“I’m going to order that you wear a condom at all times,” Farmer informed the defendant. “For your own good, OK? Probation is going to check. No, I’m kidding. I’m kidding.”
Farmer advised the defendant to hire a specific female lawyer later on in the case, but he cautioned him against getting her pregnant.
Farmer is charged with singing a song about “Sweet Georgia” while presiding over the State v. Georgia Smith case and instructing the defendant, “You’re supposed to say ‘peachy.’ How you doin’ Georgia? Peachy!”
Smith was also instructed to sing “You get your weed in California” and “She gets her peaches down in Georgia.” Farmer then expressed regret to one of the lawyers, explaining that it was difficult to make him laugh.
Farmer allegedly made reference to and quoted “extensively” from a comedy sketch on gay people on “In Living Colour” when he was overseeing another felony case.
The panel also cited Farmer’s statement that “Spring is here” on August 15, 2024. What did the shirt say to the pair of pants? I was so enthusiastic that I soaked my plants. What the fuck are britches?
“Apparently, these are some of what you referred to as your ‘exceptionally, exceptionally bad jokes,'” the court filing stated.
In addition to making jokes that were deemed “exceptionally bad,” Farmer was charged with dedicating all of his time and attendance to his judicial duties after going over the allotted 30-day judicial leave.
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In addition, he was charged with violating the law by allegedly showing bias or predetermination in some instances and denying litigants and attorneys due process.
However, once a suspension was suggested, Farmer’s lawyer responded to the court, stating that Farmer “generally admits to having made the jokes or remarks.”
“These jokes were said to lighten tension, reduce stress for criminal defendants, and show a sense of humanity,” according to the attorney. “They generally are G-rated dad jokes that are corny but not offensive and were not degrading to the solemnity of the proceedings.”
Some of the jokes, the lawyer continued, were “racy.” Farmer thought about it and concluded that they were “inappropriate.”
During a probable cause hearing, Farmer apologized for the “racy” comments, the lawyer added, adding that he was expressing regret once more.
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Regarding the “In Living Colour” jokes, Farmer said he didn’t realize his microphone was still on, but he acknowledged the offensive nature of the comments and expressed regret.
Farmer was suspended without pay by the commission of the Florida Supreme Court.
