Coverage dated September 25, 2026

Florida judge faces reprimand over comment on shooting attorneys

Headline from Tampa Bay Times

Judge J. Layne Smith of the 2nd Judicial Circuit has been directed to appear before the Florida Supreme Court for a public reprimand over comments telling lawyers in a moment of frustration that he’d like to have a deputy “shoot all three of you.

Tampa Bay Times's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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2 articles, oldest first.

Orlando Weekly
DeSantis-appointed Florida Judge faces reprimand for saying he’d like to see lawyers shot in his courtroom (opens Orlando Weekly)
Published Sep 25, 2026
Orlando Weekly's feed description
A Second Judicial Circuit judge who made “intemperate and caustic comments” and lamented that he’d like to tell his deputy “to pull his gun and shoot” a trio of attorneys is being ordered to appear before the Florida Supreme Court for a public reprimand.
Tampa Bay Times
Florida judge faces reprimand over comment on shooting attorneys (opens Tampa Bay Times)
Published Sep 25, 2026
Tampa Bay Times's feed description
Judge J. Layne Smith of the 2nd Judicial Circuit has been directed to appear before the Florida Supreme Court for a public reprimand over comments telling lawyers in a moment of frustration that he’d like to have a deputy “shoot all three of you.