Brazil judge ordered to pay R$ 54,000 for insulting municipal guard

A court in São Paulo has ordered judge Eduardo Siqueira to pay R$ 54,000 in moral damages to a municipal civil guard in Santos. The ruling stems from an incident in July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Siqueira insulted the officer after being fined for not wearing a protective mask.

Video footage from the time showed the judge tearing up the fine and using derogatory language, including calling the officer an “analfabeto” (illiterate), while attempting to intimidate the staff by citing his professional connections. Following the incident, the National Council of Justice (CNJ) previously imposed compulsory retirement on Siqueira, a penalty that allows him to remain on the payroll.

The current decision requires the payment within 15 days, with a 10% fine and additional attorney fees applicable if the deadline is missed.