"The Robing Room: FL State Judges

Hon. John Jay Gontarek	See Rating Details
Circuit Court
Okaloosa County 1st Circuit	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 1 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 3.0 - 8 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

Add your own rating

E-Mail Address ()

* *

Confirm E-mail Address

* * *

Zip

Occupation

Add a comment only

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

Please type what you see below:

Not an even number!

What others have said about Hon. John Jay Gontarek

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: FL9309
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Fantastic judge for felony cases is amazing.

Litigant

Comment #: FL6296
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge gave absolutely zero consideration for the safety and welfare of two children bearing LITTANY of prior protective orders against the same respondent, including an existing injunction against their father, who most recently attacked their mother in an attempt to harm them again after they (both children) reported him for sexual molestation.
Absolutely despicably cavalier in disregarding the safety and welfare of the victims of domestic violence seeking protection for their dependent children. Unacceptable, and the voters will be made VERY aware of this.

Other

Comment #: FL5982
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Our family had a very complicated probate/family law case that took several days to try. Our attorney told us not to worry because Judge Gontarek has handled thousands of family,probate and criminal cases. Judge Gontarek gave both sides plenty of time to put on their case and offered additional day for trial if any needed it to fully present their side. Judge Gontarek gave a very thoughtful decision a week or so later. We were very pleased, of course the other side was upset because they didn't get everything they wanted but Judge Gontarek is an excellent Judge.

Other

Comment #: FL5961
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I think John is incompetent as a judge. He only rules in favor of his favorite attorney Tim Shaw. He takes campaign funds in exchange for rulings. This is the good ol boy system and they only rule fair if they're not getting bribes. He didn't pay attention at all in court to any witnesses or to the evidence. He based his decision on what a twelve year old states amongst other things said with no proof or validity. Not a fair or just ruling which was sad because it was a child custody case.

Other

Comment #: FL5324
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Terrible and incompetent! A simple probate case with questions and objections and he could not rule on it. He has to set another hearing. He didn't listen to heirs presented the case. He boasted about his work when he was an attorney. He did not recognize the State Statues and simply brushed off the heirs objections.

Litigant

Comment #: FL4156
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Gontarek listened to the facts and made a fair determination based on our specific circumstances. He gave us a decision the same day and I felt better knowing the outcome when I walked out of the courtroom.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL4025
Rating:1.0

Comments:
One would assume that a judge could differentiate between right and wrong as well as have the common sense to separate the truth from lies. This man was incapable of doing either of these tasks. What happened to "the best interest of the children" being the deciding factor in custody cases? The lack of a professional decision will ultimately have a negative impact on four children's lives. When a judge is doing more harm than good, I believe it is time for him to retire.

Other

Comment #: FL4024
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Was sleeping while the witnesses were testifying. I know it was the end of the day for the last case,but come on.....

Other

Comment #: FL4022
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He was completely disengaged at the end of the day and only interested in going home. He was approximately 15 minutes late to the courtroom and made his decision in 20 minutes after keeping his head down on his desk while attorneys and witnesses were speaking. He did not pay any attention to facts that's were presented to him and only took the word of the defendant who was lying and had no facts to back her up. It may be time to consider retirement or a mid-afternoon nap to help John Jay be able to focus.

Other

Comment #: FL3765
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Changed numerous parts of a prior court order from another judge. And couldnt make a simple decision. Took 5 hearing for him to make it.