Florida Judge Jerri Collins has come under criticism for her decision to scold and sentence a domestic abuse victim to three days in jail for failing to testify against her attacker.
The incident in question occurred in July as the victim tried to explain why she didn't appear in court even though a subpoena required her to testify against the father of her 1-year-old child who allegedly choked her and threatened her at knife-point.
"Your Honor, I'm very sorry for not attending ...," cried the woman, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "I've been dealing with depression and a lot of personal anxiety since this happened ..."
Collins, a former prosecutor, retorted: "You think you're going to have anxiety now? You haven't even seen anxiety."
She continued noting the woman was required to appear under court order.
"You disobeyed a court order, knowing that this was not going to turn out well for the state," Collins said, according to the New York Daily News.
The woman apologized again, telling the judge she's homeless and not in good place.
"And violating your court order did not do anything for you," Collins replied, according to Scallywag & Vagabond. "I find you in contempt of court. I hereby sentence you to three days in the county jail."
As deputies placed the placed the woman in handcuffs, she begged Collins to reconsider, but she simply told the woman to "turn around."
As a result of the woman not appearing in court, the alleged abuser pleaded guilty to battery and was sentenced to 16 days in jail.
In the face of backlash from the local community and many online, with one user going so far as to call her "the worst judge in all of central Florida," Collins has stood by her decision and has refused to talk to the media.
