Top Briefings
- Broward County Judge Gary Farmer faces suspension without pay for telling “exceptionally bad” dad jokes and inappropriate remarks during court proceedings.
- The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission cites Farmer’s biased behavior, poor attendance, and denial of due process as evidence of his unfitness to serve.
- Farmer’s attorney defends the judge’s humor as a way to ease courtroom tension, but apologies for “racy” comments spark debate over judicial decorum.
By Samuel Lopez – USA Herald
[FLORIDA] – In a twist that could rival the punchline of a groan-worthy dad joke, Broward County Circuit Court Judge Gary M. Farmer Jr. finds himself suspended from the bench, effective midnight on Monday, May 19, 2025. The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (FJQC) delivered the gavel’s blow, citing a litany of infractions: “exceptionally bad” courtroom humor, biased conduct, excessive absences, and a failure to uphold due process. The decision, handed down after months of investigation, paints a vivid picture of a judge whose attempts at levity landed him in hot water, sparking a broader conversation about the line between humanity and impropriety in the judiciary.
The saga began in October 2024, when the FJQC’s Investigative Panel launched a probe into Farmer’s courtroom conduct. By December, a probable cause hearing solidified the panel’s concerns, and last month, they recommended his suspension. The Florida Supreme Court’s advisory panel sealed Farmer’s fate, declaring him unfit to serve due to behavior that “damaged the public’s perception of the judiciary.” Court filings reveal a colorful array of incidents, from cringe-inducing puns to remarks that veered into inappropriate territory, leaving litigants, attorneys, and observers questioning the solemnity of Farmer’s courtroom.
