"The Robing Room: FL State Judges

Hon. Carol Engel Draper	See Rating Details
County Court
Osceola County 9th Circuit	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 2.9 - 12 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 18 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

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What others have said about Hon. Carol Engel Draper

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: FL8840
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She is VERY MEAN AND UNFAIR!I came to court for suspended license and she got mad because my attorney was at first appearance.She started getting very nasty for NO reason,and issued me a bond with nebbia hold for having my attorney there.She is abusive with her power!I also heard her family owns the land the jail sits on which should be against the law,because I believe this is why she issues unfair verdicts.SHE IS TOO MEAN FOR THE BENCH,judges have a fiduciary responsibility to be impartial!Its not right how she is!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL7373
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Does not belong on any bench!!!

Litigant

Comment #: FL7372
Rating:1.0

Comments:
No common sense, totaly prejudicial

Litigant

Comment #: FL7369
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Does not belong on the bench!!!
"Extrimely preduice"

Other

Comment #: FL6869
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
worst judge ever doesnt care about people. rude as hell

Other

Comment #: FL6846
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Does anyone know when she will retire or stop taking cases completely? Her term ends on January 8th 2019 does that mean that is her last and final day?

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL6729
Rating:3.0

Comments:
Unfair ,cruel , Angry

Other

Comment #: FL6728
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
She is the worst judge ever She locks up people for multiple months for driving on a suspended license no when they don’t have money she such a high amount per bail and bond and when you tell her u can’t can pay that amount She tells you that’s not her problem and I’ve smelled liquor in the quart room when I told her I was not read my Miranda rights she told me to take it up with the police station If you ever get in front of judge you better pray she is the worst judge ever She should never be on the bench she is one angry person she is unfair and she is very cruel she over uses her power

Other

Comment #: FL6665
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Angry, Cruel and Unfair

Other

Comment #: FL6660
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I have a friend who might face substantial jail even prison for traffic violation I know this person has seemed uncooperative at times but this person tries and alot of it is ?? so if just would try understand jails and prison are only holding areas and don't help nobody what happened to rebilation making some positive change especially when not in jail I know the law is not justice but come on a traffic violations hard time I just don't get it. When if the judge looked at ability to pay fines instead make them bigger and bigger so out of reach it becomes impossible so the people give up if someone can't pay money find another way for them like real community work volunteering and such I ain't judge but if I was it not always be about punishment. I hope if I stand before a judge they use some understanding and wisdom not just letter of the law.

Other

Comment #: FL6541
Rating:2.0

Comments:
ruled that trailer left in driveway might have been loading or unloading when photos showed it was on blocks and empty-clearly not objective and hostile towards HOA's in general

Other

Comment #: FL6540
Rating:2.0

Comments:
ruling that a homeowner did not have to clean the outside of a fence - the neighbor would have to do this!!!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL6024
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I am a 43 year old mother of 5 in Osceola County. My husband was convicted by a jury on October 9th, 2017 of Battery Domestic Violence. This was his second conviction for the same crime of Domestic Violence against me. Today, October 12th, Judge Carol Ann Draper, despite the new statue making jail time mandatory for repeat domestic violence convictions, stated she did not believe me as the victim because of my behavior of either crying too much or crying too little, and only gave him short probation, with no batterer's intervention. During my victim impact statement I was personally attacked regarding my profession, financial spending, and my work status instead - as well as being questioned about my mental health instead of being allowed to freely speak about what I as a victim have been through. Again, this was all after the defendant in this case had been found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury of his peers.

I typically would never consider racial bias to be a key factor for bias, but I cannot help but wonder if this happened because I am an African-American female professional. The community needs to know that this is how victims of domestic violence are being treated in Osceola County. Judge Carol Ann Draper made it clear today that domestic violence is NOT a serious issue and victims of such have no hope for any justice in her court. This was a green light to any and every abuser that there will be very little if any consequences for domestic violence in this court. Hopefully Judge Draper will be allowed preside over my murder trial when this defendant appears before her next time.

Other

Comment #: FL5891
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge charged me $3,000 to bail out on a d.u.i.that was under color of law,she wouldn't let me speak at my preliminary without an attorney,she was disrespectful to everyone in the courtroom,she started my bail at $1,000,when my family came to bail me out she went to $2,000 they came to bail me out the next day she went to $3,000 i spent 5 days in jail missing work at $190.a day.she is a disgrace to our judicial system,and should be held accountable for her actions

Litigant

Comment #: FL5733
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Totally crazy and disrespectful, should not be a judge.

Court Staff

Comment #: FL5632
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The judge Carol E Draper made an offer but because my plea agreement was not all the way filled out she decided to take it back and sentence me to jail. She has no respect for anyone. The first time I stepped before her she told me I was no longer in my county. That she would show me no leniency. Proving that she was not following the Florida bar where every criminal is innocent until proven guilty. She is out for one thing and one thing only county revenue.

Litigant

Comment #: FL5178
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge is the nastiest foul person I have ever met! She is nasty . She isv also rude to attorneys. You cant hear her speak and when is told she is very nasty about it.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL4524
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I am a seasoned criminal attorney who has practiced before judges all around the state in both state and federal courts. That said I have never encounter a judge as rude and mean to the defendants as judge draper. I watched as she bullied an migrant defendant into a plea with a threat of more jail if he didn't plea now. As previous comments posted, I noticed she immediately turned everything to money and said if they don't pay fess they will end up in jail. She does not deserve to be on the bench much less a member of the Florida Bar. If she doesn't retire we will have you replaced at the polls.
I have never ever even considered posting like this about a judge, but what I saw was an injustice to our state and county.

Court Staff

Comment #: FL3859
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I've never seen a more unprofessional judge in my career. Judge Draper makes the changes as she goes along. On top of that is very frustrating to understand what she is trying to say. And gets upset when you ask her to repeat what she just said. However, one of her deputies is her voice and reminds the judge is she had forgotten to mention something. Her courtroom lacks of structure and respect. She is only a judge. Not even sure how she's been on the bench for so long when for the most part her voice is not clear on the record. She should retire while she is has a little dignity left.

Other

Comment #: FL3732
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I am a citizen of Osceola County and have never been in trouble with law enforcement. I heard so many bad things about this judge, I had to see for myself if these things were true. I attended her court room to observe and was appalled by the way she treats everyone, not just the defendants, but everyone. In the 2 hours I spent in her courtroom, I have never seen a more mean-spirited person in my life. She has no compassion and makes up the rules as she goes along. I am saddened by the fact that this woman is able to abuse her position in this way and is able to get away with it. I will not be voting to re-instate her when her term ends.

Other

Comment #: FL3659
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I am Osceola citizen & have no criminal background but have heard from others that Judge Draper has past DUI convictions & that because of her involvement with Osceola Corrections there is a conflict of interest. How do we as citizens get rid of this judge?

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL3633
Rating:1.2

Comments:
Absurd, infringes upon the Constitutional rights of the people, continue case even after jurisdiction being challenge and despite requesting for her to recuse herself. As I personally witness, police officers perjuring themselves, she still take their side against defendants.

Other

Comment #: FL3632
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This Judge in my opinion committed treason, fraud, and is bias and prejudice. Hides under Color of law and banks on the fact that most litigants or defendants don't have the means to appeal her decisions. Should be disbarred.

Other

Comment #: FL3631
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She is not willing to hear you. She will talk over the lawyer and not care about anything he has to say. Even if the defendant has done everything she has ask for she dose not care.. She is unfair and really rude!

Litigant

Comment #: FL3354
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I'm the defendant on Case #2014-MM-000158, and like in the past comment, she turned my hearing from criminal law into a financial evaluation. She's very rude and shouldn't be on the bench.

Litigant

Comment #: FL3352
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
She turned the case from criminal to financial matters in a matter of seconds. She is more worried about how much money that you make, how you pay your bills, and how much can you pay to the court than whether the charges are well-founded. She is very rude, and she shouldn't be on the bench.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL3309
Rating:1.2

Comments:
She is a disgrace to the bench.

Other

Comment #: FL3174
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I have been in civil courts in New York and in Florida for 27 years. I have never encountered a judge as biased and angry as Judge Draper. I cannot believe that she is a judge. She presides over a kangaroo court. If you mention Judge Draper's name around town, the debate becomes: how many DUI's does she have? I filed a complaint against her with Judge Belvin Perry for the disrespect with which I was treated in her court. It went nowhere, and that is why she is still a judge -- no accountability.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL2711
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Civil Litigation

Does not follow statute nor any law that I can see. She is ridiculous and unfair to both Plaintiff and Defendant. Soooo Happy she is going back to Criminal to torture them!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL2616
Rating:1.3

Comments:
With 30 years of practice behind me, without a doubt, the most ill-tempered, intellectually lazy, mean-spitited person ever to wear a robe and that includes the judges I appeared in front of who were indicted, convicted and jailed in Operation Greylord when I practiced in Chicago right after law school. I was warned by a lawyer when I was looking for her court room.

Other

Comment #: FL1932
Rating:1.0

Comments:
HORRIBLE JUDGE SHE NEEDS TO BE FIRED SHE IS A NASTY *******

Other

Comment #: FL1158
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She was rude and unfair.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL1157
Rating:1.1

Comments:
She lacks the self-possession and control necessary to guarantee litigants a sense of fairness and justice. Her bias and short temper are immediately apparent. It is shameful to participate or merely to be present at proceedings over which she presides. I felt like a needed a shower after leaving her courtroom so I could cleanse myself of her abusive behavior.

Prosecutor

Comment #: FL1039
Rating:8.0

Comments:
Her bark is much worse than her bite. Her tough demeanor on the bench is only to get the defendants' attention. It is the only way for her to get most of the lazy, unmotivated, irresponsible defendants to better themselves...she gives them many, many chances. As long as they demonstrate that they are making good faith attempts to follow the law, she will always give them a break. However, if they continually refuse to comply with probation, for example, she will then send them to jail. Please note that although I am now a prosecutor, I was a defense attorney when I appeared before her in court.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL638
Rating:3.6

Comments:
Judge Draper is generally very surly in front of a crowd. She does not treat defendants or their representatives respectfully. She likes to make threats to get the defendants to do what she wants. Her sentences are excessive in relation to the crime in most instances where other than probation is adjudged. In general, a poor judge.

Other

Comment #: FL310
Rating:1.0

Comments:
A very poor judge. The lack of concern about getting to the truth of the matter is highly evident with this judge. The one-sidedness on her part is so obvious it's a joke.

Other

Comment #: FL306
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge is beyond rude and is a poor example of what the position of being a judge stands for. I thought courtrooms were places where judges listened to the facts carefully and decided cases honestly. This judge does not display such qualities.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL303
Rating:1.5

Comments:
This judge displays rudeness to witnesses and attorneys that dishonors the charge. She needs anger management classes and therapy for her feelings of inadequacy.