The Florida Supreme Court suspended Seminole County Judge Wayne Culver for 60 days following behavior described as akin to a "playground bully." The decision was reached yesterday, delivering Culver a sanction without pay for his conduct in two cases in February 2022. During these proceedings, Judge Culver cursed at the defendants and threatened them with contempt.

The suspension, which will be enforced within a 30-day window, was initially proposed as part of a settlement in 2022, though it was not accepted then. Instead, the state supreme court mandated a full hearing before the Judicial Qualifications Commission. The ruling also includes a mandate for a public reprimand, with the supreme court clerk tasked with scheduling the judge's appearance, the Tampa Bay Times detailed.

One of the notable cases involved Judge Culver sentencing Samuel Perez to 179 days in jail, the maximum period possible, for not completing a domestic violence program—while simultaneously denying Perez the right to speak on his behalf. A day following Perez's confrontation, Culver subjected another defendant, Kevin Newton, to similar ill-treatment, leveling profanity and threats when Newton struggled to find a seat in the courtroom. These incidents were detailed in the findings of the Judicial Qualifications Commission and reported by WFTV.

Despite the Florida constitution not listing such measures as permissible punishment, the Commission recommended that Judge Culver continue anger management courses and stress treatment. The high court, however, chose not to endorse these suggestions. The Commission highlighted Culver's participation in mental health counseling since April 2022 and cited his remorseful attitude towards his behaviors. According to records from the Commission and the Supreme Court reported by the Tampa Bay Times, Culver has acknowledged the public's rightful alarm at his actions