Miami-Dade Juvenile Court Judge Makes Controversial Comments
Miami criminal lawyers see all kinds of cases in their day to day practice. However, the criminal defense attorneys at Musca Law firmly believe that judges must always remain impartial and conduct themselves with the decorum required of the bench. This is particularly true for juvenile court judges, who have a unique opportunity to help troubled teenagers set their lives back on track. Unfortunately, a local juvenile court judge has been making waves with Miami criminal defense attorneys after an inappropriate comment.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Spencer Eig became frustrated with a teenage girl after she refused to return to the residence of her caretaker. The 15-year-old was a runaway and had claimed her caretaker was abusive. Despite the sensitive nature of the issue, Judge Eig railed at the girl for her refusal to go home. "'You're throwing your life away. You could end up on the street toothless...Toothless, dead crack whore -- dead at age 19? Is that the destiny you're looking for?'' he inquired. Later, he said that the girl needed to toughen up and accept the place she was living, because eventually her dislike of foster care arrangements would get her to the point where "[n]o one's going to love you."
Two Miami attorneys who witnessed the incident complained about the judge's conduct. As a result, the chief juvenile court judge had the girl returned to his courtroom the next day, where she apologized for the remarks of her colleague. Despite the apology, a number of Miami criminal defense lawyers and child advocates in the area remain unhappy with Judge Eig. The regional head of the Department of Children and Families hopes to meet with Judge Eig soon to discuss ways to talk to teenagers in the juvenile justice system. The Miami Herald report can be found here. Miami Judge Comment
