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To the Jewish Community of Broward County and Beyond:

We, the undersigned, demand immediate accountability and action regarding the conduct of Judge Francis Viamontes and her judicial assistant, Maria Arana. Their blatant disregard for judicial ethics and impartiality has brought disgrace upon the Broward County judicial system, undermining public confidence in the courts.

A Pattern of Misconduct and Bias

1. Prejudicial Statements Reflecting Bias: Judge Francis Viamontes has openly displayed prejudiced views in her public remarks. Notably, in a Sun Sentinel article published on September 26, 2021, she stated:

“As much as a Hispanic-sounding name is a disadvantage in the county, a Jewish-sounding name gives a definite advantage at the polls.”
“If you have a name that sounds Jewish, the voters of Broward County choose those names without considering the individuals’ qualifications.”
These remarks are not only divisive but deeply offensive to both the Jewish and Hispanic communities. By suggesting that voters of Jewish descent engage in blind partisanship, Judge Viamontes has revealed a prejudicial mindset incompatible with the impartiality required of a judge.

2. Abuse of Judicial Power: Judge Viamontes has repeatedly demonstrated her willingness to exploit her authority for personal agendas toward Jewish litigant father:

Short-Notice Hearings: She has scheduled hearings on extraordinarily short notice without proper communication, disregarding procedural fairness.

Intimidation Tactics: On May 21, 2024, Judge Viamontes dispatched police officers to the private residences of a Jewish father litigant based on a YouTube video critical of her courtroom practices. This alarming overreach reflects an abuse of police resources to suppress dissent.

Kangaroo Court Practices: Her courtroom operates more like a personal fiefdom than a bastion of justice, with actions that ignore legal standards and prioritize personal vendettas over fairness.
3. Enabling Misconduct: Maria Arana, Judge Viamontes’s judicial assistant, has actively facilitated these abuses:

Manipulative Scheduling: Arana has manipulated hearing schedules to create unfair disadvantages for litigants.
Perpetuating Intimidation: By supporting Judge Viamontes’s heavy-handed tactics, Arana has contributed to a culture of fear and instability in the court.
A Call for Justice and Accountability
Judge Viamontes and Maria Arana's actions go beyond simple incompetence; they represent a fundamental failure to uphold the judicial system's integrity. Their behavior has eroded public trust and harmed individuals seeking fair court treatment.

We demand the following actions:

Immediate Investigation: Launch an independent investigation into the conduct of Judge Viamontes and Maria Arana.
Removal from the Court: To restore public trust in the judicial system, take all necessary steps to remove Judge Viamontes and Maria Arana from their positions.
Implementation of Safeguards: Establish stronger accountability measures to prevent such abuses of power in the future.
Conclusion
The citizens of Broward County deserve better than the misconduct and bias displayed by Judge Francis Viamontes and Maria Arana. Their actions affront the principles of fairness and justice that our legal system must uphold. We call on the appropriate authorities to act swiftly and decisively to remove them from their roles and restore integrity to our courts.

Let us stand together to demand accountability, fairness, and justice in Broward County.

Concerned Citizens of Broward County.