I would like to see the rest of the video. It ends quite abruptly. From what I have read and seen, the Public Defender left the courtroom, giving each of his clients an automatic civil rights case. The judge returned to the bench after the "altercation"....and did what? At least one defendant was appearing without representation at that point.

The incident began when the Public Defender (in a rather rare example of one doing his job) refused to waive his client's right to a speedy trial. He properly asked the judge for a ruling. The judge never issued one and instead began attacking the attorney. As noted above: where was the prosecutor? He or she could have spoken up at any time. "We have no objection, Your Honor", would have settled the matter--assuming the judge had indeed issued a ruling, which he did not.

It's impossible to say what the Public Defender was thinking. He may have been trying to defuse the situation, or he may have simply accepted the judge's thrown-down gauntlet (he appears to say "let's go" before he leaves the room). Whatever altercation followed (and I think we can safely safe from the sound that more than words were exchanged) took place in an area where there are no cameras. I do hope both men had photos taken of any bruises or other injuries.

According to at least one television report, the deputies/bailiffs who separated the men "saw nothing". Which I strongly suspect is how this will all go down, as far as any criminal charges are concerned.

That said, the canons of the Florida State Bar Association contain a number of standards for professional conduct and appropriate courtroom behavior. I hope they will be enforced. The Public Defender acted in an unprofessional manner when he left the courtroom while court was in session. The judge did so by acting in abusive behavior, leaving the courtroom without adjourning or recessing, and I strongly suspect by assaulting the Public Defender. Once a judge steps off the bench without following protocol, he is no longer presiding over a courtroom. He is, however, bound by all professional standards which apply to his profession--at all times.

Every defendant in that courtroom should be released or given a change of venue. NONE will get a fair hearing from that judge. Indeed, they may be unable to get a fair hearing anywhere in Florida.

What, indeed, would Judge Narragansett do?

LMAO!

I tried several peaceful solutions first. As kids, some jerks just need to be put in their places.

I'll keep that in mind...like when we're near a stairway. :)

I trip over things easily..

That takes too long. lol You're kind of calculated...and I'm getting a little scared.

I have my ways of dealing with bullies. It starts out by becoming friends....it ends differently

The only way to stop a bully is to stand up to him.

This is a reason why I vote not to retain judges when they come up for re-election. I have been called up for jury duty three times and have been told not to stick around because the lawyers thought I could not be led to their conclusion. In the little bit of time I was in the courtroom on those occasions, the judges were all extremely arrogant.

I got into a fight in fourth grade with a bully down the street. One can tolerate only so much. I guess I technically won, but both of us were a bloody mess when we went home. At least it meant that I was never bullied again.

It looks as though a bailiff [a person in a dark uniform] follows them off towards the right of the picture. I want to know what he did.
I also wonder about the folks waiting their turns in the courtroom. NOT ONE OF THEM did anything but chat - it certainly sounds like somebody's getting beaten up outside the door and nobody says "Bailiff?" and where was the prosecutor? He has some standing in this situation.
Who, and what, was applauded?
and why does the film end here?

No. And that's why. Of course I've been around about two total fights in my life. My sons never fought either...lol

Love that Gomer line! lol ("Citizens Ahrrrayest!")

Have you ever tried to break up a fight? The one who loses in that situation is the peacemaker. I would have gone after a nearby bailiff.

Had I been there to see it, I probably would have. Part of the irony is that they were on hidden video camera and acted as if they were "in private". I certainly would not have arrested them without seeing it live in person. Had I actually witnessed it live, I would have approached the bailiff to peaceably break it up.

I suppose I could have done the Gomer Pyle "Citizen's Arrest! Citizens' Arrest!".

lol, would you have gone and arrested him if you had known sooner?

I honestly have no idea. I didn't find out about this until during about 10 PM last night.

Why was the judge not arrested for assault?? Abuse of power is evil, people. Wake up!

wow. we are going to see more and more of this. Challenge their authority...see what happens.
he should be charged with Assault and Battery-what if it had been the defender who threw the first punch?