A woman from Palm Beach County filed an ethics complaint against Judge Renatha France. She is asking Florida’s Supreme Court for the removal of Francis.
This is just days after Francis and five others were nominated for a vacancy on Florida’s highest court.
Angela Bentrim was the subject of a 48-page petition filed by Margherita Downey at Delray Beach’s law office.
Bentrim is currently involved in a court battle with her ex-husband.
According to the court’s request, Francis had a “continuing practice” of entering orders without hearing or evidence and withholding service. This was a deviation from the essential requirements for law.
Bentrim has filed three petitions to Francis since March 2021.
According to the latest petition, Francis had shown bias towards Bentrim. This raises concerns that she will not be treated fairly in ongoing court battles.
According to court filings, Francis twice denied Bentrim’s demands for a jury hearing. He claimed that there was no basis for a jury trial in the proceeding.
Bentrim’s lawyer claims that Francis violated Bentrim’s constitutional rights to a trial before a jury, due process and equal protection under law.
The petition stated that Francis’ prejudice grew after Bentrim filed a petition and a complaint. The petition states that Bentrim’s health is being negatively affected by the “nonstop bias”.
It is not clear if Florida’s Supreme Court will consider Francis’ request to be removed from the case.
Francis is awaiting a possible appointment from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Francis was the focus of attention when DeSantis named her to the state’s highest court in May 2020.
Three months later, however, the Florida Supreme Court ruled against the governor because he appointed Francis prior to her eligibility.