Drug charge against former judge dropped

MIAMI, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A marijuana possession charge against a former circuit judge in Florida has been dropped by prosecutors.

Citing former Broward Circuit Judge Lawrence Korda's recent completion of a pretrial intervention program, Miami-Dade prosecutors dropped the misdemeanor charge he was facing after allegedly being caught smoking marijuana in an area park, The Miami Herald reported Sunday.

Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office spokesman Ed Griffith said dropping the charge against the former jurist last week was simply normal policy and not part of a special plea deal.

"This wasn't a plea deal," Griffith said. "He was given the option of completing our program, just like everyone else."

Korda allegedly smoked marijuana in a park March 18 in Hollywood, Fla., leading to a citation and ultimately the loss of his post.

The Herald said that while the judge will not face jail time for his alleged crime, he decided to resign his position three months after the incident.