Kathleen Mary McHugh
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Kathleen Mary McHugh is a judge for the Broward County Court of Florida. She was elected to the court in 2012 and took office in January of 2013 for a term that expires in January of 2019.[1] She also serves in the 17th Circuit Court's Domestic Violence Division.[2]
Education
McHugh received her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University.[3]
Career
Prior to her election to the County Court in 2012, McHugh spent 15 years as a private practice attorney. Prior to that, she was a public defender.[4]
2012 election
McHugh ran for election on August 14, 2012 and defeated Ilene Lieberman with 55.6% of the vote.[1][5]
- See also: Florida judicial elections, 2012
Noteworthy cases
Judge rejects NFL player's plea deal after he slaps his attorney on the backside
Former NFL star Chad Johnson was denied a plea deal by Judge Kathleen Mary McHugh after patting his attorney on the backside. Johnson violated terms of his probation in 2012, after a domestic violence dispute with his wife, Basketball Wives star Evelyn Lozada, by not showing up for meetings or completing counseling.
On June 10, 2013, Johnson and his attorney. Adam Swickle, had almost settled a no-jail plea bargain with Judge McHugh when she suggested that Johnson thank his attorney for his excellent work. Johnson, reverting back to his back to his days on the field, tapped Swickle on the rear. This provoked laughter from the audience, to which the judge responded,
| “ | I don't know that you're taking this whole thing seriously. I just saw you slap your attorney on the backside. Is there something funny about this? The whole courtroom was laughing. I'm not going to accept these plea negotiations. This isn't a joke.[6][7] | ” |
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi weighed in on the case, stating
| “ | Although we never condone domestic violence, this event seems to question judicial temperament, not the subject matter before the court.[8][7] | ” |
Roger Groves, a professor of law at the Florida Coastal School of Law, wrote in an article for Forbes that McHugh overreacted and should apologize.[9][10]
UPDATE: Judge McHugh released Johnson on June 17 after he apologized. She shortened his sentence to the 7 days he had already served in jail. Johnson stated, "I just wanted to apologize for disrespecting the court last time."[11]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Broward County Supervisor of Elections, "2012 Primary Election Results"
- ↑ 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida: Domestic Violence Division
- ↑ Martindale, "Law Office of Kathleen M. McHugh, P.A."
- ↑ Sun Sentinel, "Elect McHugh, Diaz and Miller," July 24, 2012
- ↑ Broward County Supervisor of Elections: Candidates For 2012 Election Cycle
- ↑ ESPN Go, " Chad Johnson's plea deal reject," June 11, 2013
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ TMZ Sports, "FL Attorney General Rips Judge YOU OVERREACTED!" June 11, 2013
- ↑ Forbes, "Questionable Ethics By The Judge That Jailed Chad Johnson," June 11, 2013
- ↑ Miami Herald, "Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi wades into Chad Johnson fracas," June 13, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ USA Today, "Chad Johnson released from Florida jail after apology to judge," June 17, 2013
