Judge Says No to Florida Supreme Court-Ordered Suspension

Orange-Osceola Circuit Judge Tim Shea, who agreed in June to be publicly reprimanded for bully attorneys in his courtroom, has told the Florida Supreme Court he isnt going to accept its punishment, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Shea, 56, thought he had settled the matter in June by agreeing to be publicly reprimanded by the high court; but last month, the court said that was too lenient, the Sentinel reported.

It asked Shea to agree to stay off the bench for 60 days, forego $24,000 in pay and write letters of apology to the half-dozen lawyers-- most of them women-- whom he is accused of insulting or threatening.

Shea's lawyer, Kirk Kirkconnell, told the Sentinel the suspension will be have to be decided by the Judicial Qualifications Commission.

It should be noted that the commission filed the initial complaint against Shea.

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