ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orange County sheriff’s deputy who oversees security at the county’s juvenile courthouse was held in contempt of court after disobeying a judge’s order, records show.
The deputy claims that the judge’s order would have been a security violation.
Sgt. Cami Stough “willfully violated a valid and unambiguous court order in which she had the ability to comply,” Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Harris wrote in a judgment of contempt.
According to transcripts of the March 10 hearing , Harris suggested that it was taking deputies too long to escort juvenile offenders into her courtroom one at a time. The judge ordered court deputies to bring in a group of juveniles all at once.
“That’s not something our superiors allowed us to do,” an unidentified court deputy told the judge, claiming that it was a violation of policy. “We have to bring them one at a time.”
At least two other court deputies stationed in the courtroom also failed to escort in two juveniles together, according to the judge.
[Read more on the judgment of contempt here for app users]
A short time later, the deputies’ supervisor, Stough, entered the courtroom.
“This is my courtroom. I’m in charge of security,” Harris said. “I want all of the children now in the (courtroom seating area).”
“And that is not going to happen,” Stough said.
“Any reason why you should not be held in contempt of court?”the judge asked.
“It’s a security violation,” Stough said. “I’m in charge of security, ma’am.”
Harris pointed out that there were four deputies in the courtroom to oversee the two juveniles, ages 13 and 16, who were accused of nonviolent crimes.
“I’m telling you, bring out the children,” the judge said.
“No,” Stough replied.
Comparing the situation to someone walking into a castle and telling a king "no" in front other people, Harris found Stough to be in contempt of court.
“These refusals occurred in front of children, some charged with violating court orders, parents, defense attorneys, assistant state attorneys, and deputy clerks,” Harris wrote. “The sergeant’s statements were calculated to lessen the authority of the court.”
The deputy has been ordered to complete 50 hours of community service at a nonprofit organization or pay a $500 fine. The judge agreed to withhold adjudication in the case, so the misdemeanor charge will not appear on Stough’s record.
“The deputy involved in this situation was acting under the best protocols and practices to ensure public safety in the courtroom,” said Capt. Angelo Nieves, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. “The request was not one that was normal. Usually it is one juvenile brought in at a time.”
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office indicated that it might appeal the judge’s ruling.
"We are working with the court to resolve this matter,” Nieves said.
Harris has been a circuit court judge since 2007, presiding over criminal and family court cases. She was assigned to the juvenile division fewer than three months ago.
“A judge has an inherent power, and in fact obligation, to control his or her own courtroom,” Harris wrote. “Trial courts may not simply defer security measures to the sheriff.”