12 Bizarre Punishments By Florida Judges

A Florida court adopted a new method for teaching young drivers after fines failed. Judge Louis H. Schiff told them to make scrapbooks. He had them use newspaper clippings about road traffic accidents and raise their grade-point average. He kept these scrapbooks for other defendants while they waited for their traffic infractions.They had to create scrapbooks.He kept these scrapbooks for other defendants to go through while they are in court waiting for their own traffic infractions.

Judge Carmine Bravo wants to educate drivers with traffic offenses instead of just punishing them. The Seminole County judge often...Judge Carmine Bravo asks defendants to write essays.Defendants write 500-word articles about people killed in traffic accidents. They must research these articles, visit memorial spots, get accident reports, and find out about crash victims. This teaches them about road safety and shows them the results of dangerous driving.

Judge Peter T. Miller used a new way to punish first-time shoplifters in Putnam County, FL. Instead of a 30-day jail sentence, he often made these thieves...He forced the thieves to go to the store they stole from.They marched outside holding signs explaining their crime. Miller thinks this deters people because the community is small, and criminals cannot hide.

Miller told a local news station, “You have to see them because this is also for the folks out there who obey the law. They see the punishment is more than a slap on the wrist. They see this happens when you break the law. Maybe they can point this out to a child they are raising.”

A judge in Bradford County, FL, used unique sentences for petty criminals. Most involved public shaming where the perpetrator...The perpetrator held a sign in a public place.The sign told everyone what they did. This method targets those convicted of theft or DUI. It stops people from reoffending and cuts down on fines or jail time. Because the area is small and the population is concentrated, law officials believe this stops others from committing similar crimes.Law officials believe this stops others from committing similar crimes.They do not want the embarrassment of everyone finding out what they did.

In 2010, Alexandra Espinosa-Amaya faced more trouble than she expected. The 24-year-old was thrown out of a nightclub in Orlando while celebrating her birthday. Police responded when officers saw bouncers struggle with her. This led to Alexandra pushing an officer. The trial judge used a new punishment: anger management classes and...She had to parade outside the police station.The officer stayed outside the police station for four hours while telling people what she had done.

Judge Jeffrey Swartz gave a funny, strange sentence for club promoter Michael Carreras after he played loud rap music from his car at 5 am.Carreras could pay a $500 fine or sit and listen.He could listen to the opera La Traviata.Carreras chose the music over the fine and reportedly enjoyed the experience while learning a lesson.Carreras chose the music over the fine and reportedly enjoyed the experience while learning a lesson.

In 2009, 19-year-old Andrew Gaudioso and Thomas Towers, an Iraq war vet, crashed in the Tampa Bay area. Gaudioso had drugs in his system and faced vehicular manslaughter charges. Towers' parents asked for a different sentence. The judge granted it. Gaudioso got probation, lost his driving privileges, and had to send a postcard to the family weekly for 15 years.

In 2013, an 18-year-old Miami woman was arrested for Xanax possession. Penelope Soto made things worse by flipping off Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomas and using an expletive over her $10,000 bond.The judge found her in contempt of court and jailed her for 30 days.The woman returned the next day, apologized to the judge, and agreed to a drug rehab program. The judge immediately released her and suspended her sentence.

Broward County Judge John Hurley issued a strange punishment for a man in Fort Lauderdale who grabbed his wife and punched him during an argument. The victim agreed to the punishment. The man had to take his wife on a date to make amends.The date included a meal at Red Lobster and a night of bowling.The man's wife enjoyed both activities. Domestic violence charities questioned the leniency of this sentence. The man also had to attend marriage counseling.

In 2016, 23-year-old Herbert Smith was pulled over for tinted windows. Smith faced license suspension, a magazine of bullets in his car, and a criminal record with multiple felonies. Prosecutors suggested a maximum of 13 years on probation for Broward County judge to send him away.

Judge Matthew Destry shocked everyone by ordering Smith to go to jail.Judge Matthew Destry ordered Smith to jail for 60 years.The prosecution saw this punishment as too much. Smith avoided serving it after the judge changed his mind quickly, releasing the criminal to 15 years of probation.

Former teacher Debra Lafave hit headlines in 2005. She faced a possible 30 years in prison after being accused of sleeping with a 14-year-old male student multiple times. Her lawyer argued she was too sexy for jail, leading to probation with specific rules.

Putting an attractive young woman into that kind of hellhole is like putting raw meat with the lions.The lawyer said this.The lawyer said, "I am not sure that Debbie would be able to survive."

Other issues mattered too. The victim's parents agreed to the plea bargain so their child did not face the trauma of testifying in court.

Judges often expect harsh action against criminals. That expectation does not apply to those who work for them. Most people expect a court official to understand their employees' jobs. Judge Charles Greene did not follow this standard. After his typists missed a report and transcript for a case, he foundhe jailed her for contempt of court.Stenographer Ann Smith left soon after but the court ordered her to stay under house arrest until she finished the work.