TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida judge could face suspension and a fine for making racial comments to describe a defendant and members of the public.
The state's Judicial Qualifications Commission on Monday recommended that Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Stephen Millan be suspended for 30 days without pay and pay a $5,000 fine.
Documents filed with the Florida Supreme Court show that Millan admitted to twice using demeaning language. In October 2016, he used a slur to describe a black defendant. In another instance, he referred to friends and family members of a black defendant as "thugs."
Millan also had a conversation about pending cases with a defense attorney outside the courtroom.
Millan has apologized for the comments and attended a seminar on racial bias.
The Florida Supreme Court will decide Millan's punishment.