Victorian magistrate Vicky Prapas has been formally reprimanded after the Judicial Commission of Victoria concluded that a series of her remarks in court were offensive and inappropriate, including a comment made in the presence of schoolchildren that she “wanted to slap you around a bit too.”
The remark was directed at a court user during a hearing where children were seated in the public gallery, prompting criticism that the language was unsuitable for a courtroom setting.
The state’s judicial watchdog found that Prapas’s conduct breached the standards expected of magistrates, describing the comments as “offensive” and “inappropriate” for the judicial environment.
As a result of the commission’s findings, Prapas received a formal reprimand, underscoring the expectation that magistrates maintain decorum and respect in all proceedings.
Victoria, a southeastern state of Australia, relies on the Judicial Commission of Victoria to oversee the conduct of its judges and magistrates, ensuring that the legal system upholds public confidence and adheres to professional standards.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>
