JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Eric Roberson, a Jacksonville circuit court judge who was facing formal misconduct charges over comments he allegedly made from the bench, has retired.
Action News Jax learned Tuesday that Roberson has left the bench effective October 1.
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His departure comes after the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission filed formal charges against him on June 11. Roberson later filed an answer to those charges in July.
‘God bless you for not beating the tar out of her’
The allegations centered on Roberson’s conduct and comments during multiple court proceedings.
In one instance, the commission alleged Roberson referred to a woman as an “entitled little snot” and told her father, “God bless you for not beating the tar out of her.”
In another case, Roberson allegedly told a respondent, “There’s something seriously off with you.”
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Judge’s defense
An attorney for Roberson previously said the judge “acknowledges and is remorseful” for conduct described by the commission.
In a July response to the charges, his attorney argued Roberson had complied with 10 of the 11 judicial canons cited by the JQC.
How we got here
Roberson was appointed to the Fourth Judicial Circuit bench by then-Gov. Rick Scott in 2017.
His retirement is not the first time a Fourth Judicial Circuit judge has left the bench while facing scrutiny from the JQC.
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In 2017, Judge Mark Hulsey III, who served Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties, resigned while facing allegations that he made racist and sexist remarks and behaved inappropriately toward court staff.
Hulsey denied the allegations. His resignation came as a Florida House committee was preparing to explore impeachment proceedings.
Hulsey had won re-election months earlier following a recount.
What’s next
There is currently no word on who will replace Roberson.
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