The chief law enforcement officer in Florida has expressed dismay at the knee-jerk reaction that put former NFL receiver Chad Johnson behind bars for patting his lawyer on the butt.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi tells TMZ (who else?) that Judge Katherine McHugh went too far in jailing Johnson for 30 days in response to his courtroom antics.
“Although we never condone domestic violence, this event seems to question judicial temperament, not the subject matter before the court,” Bondi said.
Many believe Johnson is behind bars for domestic violence. He’s not. He was thrown in the hoosegow (all-time favorite word No. 6) specifically for the quick smack to the rear end of his lawyer, after Judge McHugh told Johnson he should be grateful for the lawyer’s efforts. Without the smack in the butt, Johnson would be free.
Bondi has no jurisdiction or authority over McHugh or any other member of the judiciary. Presumably, the Florida Supreme Court could take action, if the Florida Supreme Court so chooses.
We think it should. Apart from the unfair outcome, Florida taxpayers now have to bear the costs of an incarceration resulting from a judge getting her nose out of joint over a hand to the ass.
At a minimum, that’s money that could otherwise go to upgrading the stadium where the team that cut Johnson plays.
Johnson’s formal request for a reduced sentence, made in writing to Judge McHugh, remains pending.