"The Robing Room: FL State Judges

Hon. John S. Carlin	See Rating Details
Circuit Court
Lee County 20th Circuit	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 4.4 - 20 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 3.0 - 16 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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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. John S. Carlin

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: FL9820
Rating:1.0

Comments:
In my ongoing custody case, Judge Carlin has demonstrated a troubling lack of fairness and transparency. Despite being a devoted mother, he has unjustly taken my children 100% out of my custody, granting temporary full custody to my ex-partner, who has a history of domestic violence and multiple arrests. He has provided no explanation for this decision or guidance on how I can reinstate my custody rights. His rulings are abrupt, leaving me to wonder if he has read any of my motions, as he consistently signs off on orders written by opposing counsel verbatim, without adjusting for relevant facts. Furthermore, despite the case being complex and ongoing for over two years since it reopened, Judge Carlin has never shown his face on Zoom hearings and refuses to allow in-person hearings, even when my children’s well-being is at stake. This lack of engagement and transparency has severely undermined my faith in the fairness of the judicial process.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL9331
Rating:2.0

Comments:
I am a family lawyer who has practiced more than 30 years and have appeared before more than 2 dozen judges. Judge Carlin is one of the worst judges I have seen. Prejudges cases and rules for his buddies.

Most telling is that JUDGE CARLIN IS THE MOST APPEALED AND REVERSED FAMILY LAW JUDGE IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL9230
Rating:9.9

Comments:
Family Law lawyer here. I enjoy practicing law and trying cases or motions in front of Judge Carlin. Judge Calin is efficient and has a knack for getting right to the heart of the dispute. I agree with the majority of his rulings as well.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL9202
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Carlin comes into court with an upbeat and happy demeanor. He appears to listen and be concerned about the cases in front of him. Those are the qualities that make his cruelty all that more insidious. He is not a nice man and should not be a judge.

Litigant

Comment #: FL9188
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Being in court can be stressful, based on what I had heard from my friends. However, Judge Carlin kindly welcomed everyone and set a positive tone for our day in court. He listened carefully to each side and made his ruling based on the facts. While I didn’t agree 100% with his ruling, I felt that he truly cares about people, including our children, and worked hard to be fair. He encouraged me and my ex to put our anger at each other aside and to put our kids’ needs first. If you have to go to court, I hope that you get Judge Carlin. He made our day much less stressful than it could have been! Great Judge!

Litigant

Comment #: FL8897
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Excellent judge who truly cares about children and families! I was a nervous wreck going to court, but Judge Carlin listened carefully as everyone testified and made them feel comfortable.

Other

Comment #: FL8836
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Should be disbarred. Do your job or quit.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL8743
Rating:2.6

Comments:
Been in practice more than 30 years and have appeared in front of multiple judges, both good and bad over my career. Judge Carlin is one of the worst jurist I have seen. He prejudges case and rules based upon his feelings about the attorneys and the litigants, and not upon the law. Further, he is frequently rude and abrasive, which prevents a party from even presenting his/her case. It is shocking that in a community the size of Fort Myers, FL that he is allowed to continue in that position.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL8576
Rating:1.0

Comments:
There really could not be a worse judge!
I can’t believe he has been doing this for as long as he has! He should have been removed years !
His courtroom is a joke!

Other

Comment #: FL8547
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I have NO idea how this “Judge” (questionable) has remained a judge this long.
He has lost his ability for “Fair” judgement and should NO longer be a judge.
His decisions in family court ruin families and Children’s lives.
Something needs to be done to remove him from the bench!

Other

Comment #: FL8531
Rating:1.0

Comments:
~This Judge just made a huge mistake in his judgement where children are involved!!!! I pray this judgement does not effect the children, but it will have an ill effect on them so said he could not see the truth !! not one father out of four ever stayed around for these kids and this man he just ripped the kids from has been there for the children who are not even his blood. something is wrong if no other man has stayed around and no other man has contacted his kids!!! Judge you made a huge mistake

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL8426
Rating:1.3

Comments:
THIS JUDGE DOSE NOT GIVE YOU THE TIME OF DAY, WHEN YOUR TRING TO PLEAD YOUR CASE.
HOW HE MAKES HIS DISSIONS IS BEYOND ME AS HE DOSE NOT KNOW ALL THE FACTS AND DOSENT WANT TO KNOW BUT INSTEAD LIKES TO RUSH YOU OUT, THIS IS NOT A JOKE AND IT RELATES TO PEOPLES LIFE. IF THE JUSTIC SYSTEM CANNOT BE NUTRUAL AND HEAR THE ARGUMENTS THEN THIR SHOULD NOT BE A JUDICAL SYSTEM.
ITS TIME THIS JUDGE RETIRED AS IT SEEMS LIKE HE DOSENT WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

Other

Comment #: FL8419
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge should be impeached and NO LONGER be able to be a judge!
Carlin does not review before a trial, and makes decisions without knowing who or what is sitting before him!
He abuses his discretion for continuance in trial, when a continuance was blatantly warranted.
He is very biased. A quarter of the way into trial, you could tell where this was going.
[Redacted by Ed.] He also rules on motions that were not presented until the middle of trial. So you have no warning on what is being presented and how to defend yourself or your due process.
Ambushing seems to be his calling!
He needs to be REMOVED NOW!!!!!
Lives are being destroyed with him on the bench!!
The only good remarks seem to come from friends, family or lawyers who are in good standing with him.
Please, someone, turn him into:
The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission
He should NOT be a Judge!

Other

Comment #: FL8417
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Extremely biased. Does not adhere to the law, rules or procedures meant to protect litigant's rights. Once he decides he doesn't like you for whatever reason or if he favors the opposing party's attorney, he will rule against you, deprive you of hearings, have surprise trials, refuse to have pre-trial orders so that the opposing party can have trial by ambush. If you get this judge, drop your case and re-file.

Litigant

Comment #: FL8316
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I appeared before Judge Carlin in a Domestic Violence case. I was impressed with his patience and listening to my case. I have a lot of tatoos and I was afraid that I would lose because of my appearance. Judge Carlin did not judge me by my looks but followed the law. I have read the negative reviews and I totally disagree. I hope that I get Judge Carlin if I ever go back to court.

Litigant

Comment #: FL8315
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This Judge is emotionally incompetent. He has an insatiable lust for power and dull mind to go with it.

He deprives litigants of due process, refuses to act on open fraud in his court and otherwise breaches the constitutional minimums every docket I have witnessed.

He is lazy and frankly on the bench because he likely could not succeed in a world that requires actual production and value laden work.

I have witnessed him chastise people in Court for following his directions on how to leave the Court when the mule of a man forgot to tell a litigant to wait until after the opposing party left. His voice squeaks with non-sense and petty comments like a boy in puberty trying to figure out where to wait in the lunch line in 4th grade.

He allows lawyers to tell one lie and then later change it to another lie all on the record and in orders and he does absolutely nothing.

He sets matters for a hearing, but does not allow counsel to present evidence. A matter will be set and indicate on the Florida Court system that it involves one issue and then refuses to hear that issue.

I truly believe he is not mentally and psychologically fit to be a judge presiding over cases involving minors. He has a sadistic bent which is evident as he scolds people unprofessionally and frankly in a pea brained manner only to grimace as he does it. He supports parental alienation and creates impossible mazes for parents to navigate.

[redacted by Editor] He slothfully takes state pay as a "judge" and yet refuses to do his job and will allow perjury and fraud in his court without any recourse meaning it is not a court of oath.

He will hear a fact pattern and see evidence of a crime and refuse to take action, but then create contempt for a litigant by setting matters multiple times and seeking in his laziness and bureaucratic ways to "wear down" the litigants.

The state of Florida and people of Lee County would be best served if John S. Carlin were to step down from the bench. He makes a mockery of due process and it has made national news that he would not even provide a due process hearing for people losing their home in foreclosure who disputed the record of payments made and had written proof.

He is the "white man" people warn you about being an oppressor and calloused human. He emotionally enjoys sadistic manners and methods of hearing and entering orders on cases.

I pity his soul at the day of Judgment. I believe he will do day for day in purgatory for every day he divided children from their parents unnecessarily and deprived citizens of their rights. That is if he does not just plain bust hell wide open.

May God open his dark mind to the light of truth and constitutional rights. And may God pity his pitifully darkened soul.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL8297
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He is passive-aggressive. He is a very mean person. He should not be a judge.

Other

Comment #: FL8294
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Carlin has made my life a living hell for more than two years. He has kept my children from me, has been rude to my attorney and tried to shame me in "his" court. I have no criminal history but he has forbidden me from sharing custody with my ex-husband, with whom I have a civil relationship. He should be removed from the bench or reassigned to traffic court!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL7963
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Mr. Carlin is not a person of character nor of compassion. He is a biased judge and one who handles cases with a cavalier attitude. He ruins lives, for no other reason than to inflate his own ego. Always request another judge if your case is assigned to him.

Other

Comment #: FL7962
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Horrible!

Litigant

Comment #: FL7569
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I have recently been assigned this Judge for my Paternity Case. I hope all of the positive comments on here hold true, because my case is very complicated and I'm so nervous.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL7568
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I have practiced in front of Judge Carlin for over 10 years. He is the best of the current judges because he gives fast hearing time and his rulings are prompt. I always object to the Magistrate if the case is assigned to Judge Carlin. I totally disagree with these negative comments. I respect Judge Carlin.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL7554
Rating:1.0

Comments:
To the previous commenter: You were lucky. This judge is a major gaslighter and you just happened to get on his good side.

Litigant

Comment #: FL7531
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I represented myself in a divorce case with Judge Carlin. My case was referred to the Magistrate but I objected to the Magistrate because I heard a lot of positive things about Judge Carlin and I wanted him to be the judge. I have read some of these reviews and I totally disagree with the negative comments. I am a minority and Judge Carlin was not biased towards me at all. Judge Carlin is a fair judge and he cares about the families in his courtroom. I do not know the other judges but I am glad that I had Judge Carlin.

Other

Comment #: FL7491
Rating:1.0

Comments:
REMOVE THIS JUDGE HE BREAKS THE LAW EVERY SINGLE DAY HE PUTS THAT ROBE ON HIS PEN IS HIS WEAPON AND ITS STRONGER THAN ANY WEAPON MADE REMOVE HIM ASAP

Other

Comment #: FL7254
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
He is very arrogant looks like he likes the ladies tho he is always on their side . He has no idea what the truth is I had all kinds of proof that my ex wife was lying right to his face oh he didn't want to hear about how she sent my trial papers to an address in punta Gorda and I've had the same address for ten years the only address in the court system and her lawyers from the Martin law firm had it sent to knowing it wasn't my address so I wouldn't have time to find a lawyer my self the case should have been dropped right their but it must be cause she is white and lm Hispanic but hey when my daughter lives go down the drain I will owe judge John Carlin a big thank you

Other

Comment #: FL6213
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He's the most arrogant, self-centered, and maniacal judge ever! He has basically taken away why friends rights, to have any kind of relationship with his son, because he threatened to discipline him! The Mother who lives off the Government, lied, and has lied to the judge every chance she has to try, and make the father look bad every chance she gets is very despicable! The father is a Veteran, and a also a retired public servant had shelled more money than she will ever make, and now has to pay out more just to see his son with supervised visits!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL6142
Rating:9.4

Comments:
As a lawyer who has practiced before Judge Carlin for many years, I have to commment on some of these negative comments. Judge Carlin is well respected within the legal community. He is hard-working and gives the fastest hearing time and trial time when compared to the other family law judges in Lee County. He is respectful to all parties and focuses on the best interests of children in custody cases. Judge Carlin is a great family law judge.

Litigant

Comment #: FL6087
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge gave me a five year in Junction to not be able to see my child over a bunch of text messages would not listen to my evidence I have against the ex-wife dismissed her in Junction and I forced my injunction over text messages it's unheard of I've never heard of a judge That bias against men and all pro women and it didn't help that he's friends with my ex-wife's lawyer very crooked judge .

Other

Comment #: FL6022
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The judge has served his time, but I believe he is now overdue for removal.

I feel this judge makes decision based on opinions rather than facts and like many have already expressed, he is extremely bias to one side of the story and will not change his mind even if the other party is clearly acting in bad faith. I would even go to the extreme to say that he comes across as a bit racist to other that are non-white.

Other

Comment #: FL5833
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Horrible judge, completely biased. Picks a side and doesn't care about anything the other party says. Doesn't care what's best for the children or about their routine. Has a God complex. Makes decisions based on assumptions. He should be removed!

Other

Comment #: FL5525
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Very biased! Errors galore while keeping children in house of drug addict mother. Attorneys are afraid to stand up to him. Completely ignored DCF advise on where the children should be. He should excuse himself as he has a personal relationship with the other party. He has ordered drug test for the mother for 6 months, she has never complied and still he leaves the kids there! She has even admitted she has a drug problem, still he leaves the kids there! He thinks he knows everything, yet he rendered a decision in a case he had no jurisdiction for as the case was already dismissed 4 years ago, so there is 6 months of lawyer fees wasted due to his ignorance. When this case is over, a complaint will be filed!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL5468
Rating:1.4

Comments:
A terrible judge. Did not examine any evidence. Ignored DCF counsel. Showed extreme prejudice against the father from the beginning. For no good reason. Placed the children out of state with the mother with a 20 year substance abuse record without oversight but keeping control ultimately. Did not allow a teenager to testify on the abuse he suffered at his mother's and grandmother's hands or neglect his siblings suffered. Put them back in harm's way. Openly favoured the mothers attorneys. Sick...

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL5272
Rating:8.6

Comments:
I have appeared before Judge Carlin for many years. He has a very practical approach to handling his cases. He is one of two family law judges in Lee County who is willing to meet with children if the parties agree. He cares about the children and families who appear in his courtroom. I am always glad to have cases with Judge Carlin because he treats everyone fairly and enters prompt rulings which are helpful in family law cases.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL4793
Rating:2.1

Comments:
It is apparent from the posts here that Judge Carlin and/or his family is trolling this site. No attorney or litigant would ever give the positive opinions stated here.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL4504
Rating:2.1

Comments:
Completely biased. Does not follow procedure and lazy. Adopts proposed orders from his favored side verbatim

Probation or Pretrial Officer

Comment #: FL4161
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge is completely biased and loves to take the law into his own hands. He refuses to listen to both sides of the story and does not sympathize with anyone. If I can have one wish before I die it is to ensure he is removed.

Litigant

Comment #: FL3922
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I had a very positive experience with my divorce case handled by Judge Carlin. My ex-husband and I did not have lawyers. Judge Carlin was very patient with us and explained the law when he made his decision. Judge Carlin is very fair and respectful of the people in his courtroom.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL3870
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I am a female attorney who practices in front of Judge Carlin on a regular basis. He is very fair to all attorneys including female attorneys. I take serious issue with another rating that said he is not fair to female attorneys. Judge Carlin is an experienced judge who is very knowledgeable about family law. I wish that I had all of my cases with Judge Carlin.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL3737
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Carlin is one of five family law judges in Lee County. He is very well respected and experienced. He encourages divorcing parents to be cooperative with each other and flexible. He is willing to order a 50/50 custody arrangement when it is good for the children. I like to have cases with Judge Carlin because he gives quick hearing times and enters prompt rulings. Judge Carlin is a dedicated and hard working judge.

Litigant

Comment #: FL3703
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Carlin is one of the best judges in Fort Myers. He gives everybody a chance to speak and he is very respectful to everyone in his courtroom. He gives prompt rulings and explains to everybody the legal reason for his ruling. I did not have a lawyer and my husband had a lawyer. I was worried that the judge would favor the lawyer but Judge Carlin was very fair to everyone. I had a positive experience in Judge Carlin's courtroom.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL3683
Rating:9.9

Comments:
Judge Carlin is an excellent judge. He has a lot of judicial experience as a family law judge. He is very punctual and treats all lawyers and parties with a great deal of respect. I am always impressed with how well Judge Carlin handles complicated legal issues. He is one of the best judges in Lee County.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL3549
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge is biased. He hates female lawyers. He rules in favor of his cronies in the good-old-boy club no matter what the facts are and refuses to follow the law. He does not care because he knows that 99% of the clients do not have the money to appeal him. He twists evidence to suit the outcome that he wants. If he does not like you (and he does not like you if you are a woman lawyer) or your client then he will totally screw you and he is sneeky and underhanded in how he does it. This man should not be a judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL3202
Rating:3.1

Comments:
Judge Carlin is very biased, and blatantly does not follow the law if he does not feel like he wants to. He makes up his own rules, and does not allow parties to testify or argue their case. He just jumps in and controls the hearing himself, and allows his hearings to turn into chaotic "Judge Judy" hearings where anyone can speak at any time. He lies and says he will not use a prior report in a case to dismiss witnesses who will testify that the report is wrong and full of errors. Then, he uses the prior report as a reason to deny a party he does not like. It seems to me that he has attorneys who are his friends, and he rules in their favor all the time. I suspect that he is in cahoots with them, or taking bribes, or doing favors for his friends.

Other

Comment #: FL2923
Rating:10.0

Comments:
This judge is very fair and respectful of parties and lawyers. He cares about the children of the families who appear on his docket. Great judge!

Litigant

Comment #: FL1853
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Open Appeal Case so can not comment specifically. This Judge ordered child to custody with batterer who bragged of abuse in court.