A Florida judge is facing a public reprimand after asking a Black defendant if she had ever 'chopped cotton' during a court hearing last year, according to court documents and local reports.
The Judicial Qualifications Commission filed a stipulation recommending that Judge John Jordan receive a public reprimand for two incidents in 2025, including the cotton remark. During a plea hearing on July 28, 2025, Jordan asked the 33-year-old Black defendant's great-uncle if he owned land where the defendant could work, then asked the defendant if she had ever chopped cotton, saying it would 'straighten you up real quick.'
Jordan admitted the comments were 'ill-considered' and acknowledged they could be interpreted as inappropriate given the historical stereotype of Black people picking cotton. He insisted he is not a racist, but the commission said he failed to grasp the inappropriateness of his words.
The second incident occurred in April 2025, when Jordan told two public defenders to 'shut up' during jury selection. Jordan admitted both incidents violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. The stipulation requires approval from the Florida Supreme Court.
