‘What kind of judge are you?’: Federal judge accused of stabbing wife tries to dodge jail using his power and force her out of their home
A 79-year-old federal administrative law judge in Florida is facing serious domestic violence allegations after authorities accused him of attacking his wife with a butter knife during a dispute inside their Miami home. The case has drawn national attention not only because of the allegations themselves but also because of the judge’s comments during a bond hearing, where he allegedly attempted to use his position on the bench to secure favorable treatment and argued that his wife should leave their shared residence instead of him.
The defendant, Gerald Foulds, serves as a federal administrative law judge with the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals. He was arrested on June 1, 2026, and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing bodily harm to an elderly person, according to Miami-Dade County court records.
Domestic Dispute Escalates Into Alleged Knife Attack
According to an arrest affidavit, the incident occurred early Sunday morning at the couple’s residence on Southwest 17th Street in Miami.
Police were dispatched in response to a domestic violence call and soon learned that the alleged victim had already sought medical treatment at a nearby urgent care facility.
Investigators interviewed the woman, who told them she had been married to Foulds for more than 14 years and that the couple lived together. She reportedly stated that previous physical confrontations had occurred during the marriage, although none had ever been reported to law enforcement.
According to the affidavit, the woman described her husband as impulsive, aggressive, and someone who had a drinking problem.
Wife Says Argument Turned Violent
The victim told investigators that she and her husband became involved in a verbal argument shortly after she woke up around 6 a.m.
As tensions increased, she reportedly attempted to avoid further confrontation by moving into the kitchen. However, according to police documents, Foulds allegedly followed her.
The affidavit states that he grabbed her by the left shoulder. As she attempted to defend herself by raising her arm, authorities say Foulds picked up a butter knife that was sitting on the kitchen counter and slashed her left arm.
Investigators classified the knife as a deadly weapon because it was allegedly used to inflict bodily harm.
Victim Flees Home Seeking Help
Following the alleged attack, the woman fled the residence and ran to a neighbor’s home.
According to police, the neighbor observed that she was bleeding from her arm and appeared visibly frightened and shaken.
The neighbor then contacted the victim’s former husband, who reportedly still maintained a good relationship with her. After arriving at the scene, he allegedly observed dried blood on her hands and transported her to an urgent care center for treatment.
Authorities say the former husband also stopped by the residence to collect some belongings for the victim.
Ex-Husband Confronts the Judge
While at the residence, the former husband encountered Foulds and asked him what had happened.
According to investigators, Foulds responded by saying, “We have been fighting.”
The statement later became part of the evidence referenced by law enforcement in the criminal case.
Judge Denies Allegations During Police Interview
After officers located Foulds at the residence, he was taken into custody.
Authorities stated that he was advised of his constitutional rights before being questioned.
During the interview, Foulds reportedly denied the allegations against him.
Despite his denial, investigators determined that sufficient probable cause existed to arrest him on the aggravated battery charge.
Dramatic Bond Hearing Draws Attention
The case received widespread publicity after Foulds appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer for his bond hearing.
During the proceeding, Foulds attempted to persuade the court to release him without requiring bond.
“You can’t let me go with my own recognizance since I’m a judge?” he asked.
Judge Glazer responded with a question that quickly became the most widely quoted exchange from the hearing.
“What kind of judge are you?” she asked.
Foulds replied that he had served as a Medicare administrative law judge for 21 years.
Court Refuses Special Treatment
Judge Glazer appeared unconvinced that Foulds’ judicial position warranted special consideration.
Referring to the allegations contained in the arrest report, she stated that the victim had allegedly been stabbed with a knife, even if it was described as a butter knife.
The judge declined to grant the requested release and instead imposed a bond.
Court records indicate that the bond was set at $2,500.
The amount was reportedly posted quickly, allowing Foulds to be released from custody pending future court proceedings.
Attempt to Remove Wife From Home Rejected
Another significant moment occurred when the court discussed conditions of release.
Judge Glazer ordered Foulds to have no contact with the alleged victim and to stay away from her.
Foulds then raised concerns about where he would live if prohibited from returning to the residence.
According to reports from the hearing, he argued that his wife could stay with her son and suggested she leave the home instead.
“Listen, I’m a judge, I have to have someplace to live,” Foulds told the court.
He further claimed that his wife often stayed at her son’s residence and suggested she could continue doing so.
Judge Glazer Defends Rights of Domestic Violence Victims
Judge Glazer firmly rejected the request.
She explained that under domestic violence protections, alleged victims have superior rights to remain in their residence when safety concerns exist.
“I can’t force her out of her house,” Glazer stated.
She further explained that victims of domestic violence are not the individuals who should be displaced from their homes due to alleged abuse.
The exchange became one of the most discussed portions of the hearing because it highlighted the court’s refusal to allow a judicial officer to receive preferential treatment.
Additional Bond Conditions Imposed
Beyond the no-contact order, the court imposed several additional conditions on Foulds.
Judge Glazer ordered that he not possess firearms or other weapons while the criminal case remains pending.
The court also placed him under pretrial supervision as part of his release conditions.
These restrictions are common in domestic violence cases involving allegations of physical injury.
Charges and Potential Consequences
Foulds currently faces a felony charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing bodily harm to an elderly person.
Because both the accused and the alleged victim are elderly, the charge carries heightened seriousness under Florida law.
A conviction could expose him to significant criminal penalties, including imprisonment, fines, probation, and professional consequences affecting his judicial career.
Career Background
Gerald Foulds has served as a federal administrative law judge with the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals, an agency responsible for resolving disputes involving Medicare claims and benefits.
During the bond hearing, he emphasized that he had spent more than two decades serving in that role and indicated that he was nearing the end of his professional career.
However, the allegations now place his future in uncertainty as the criminal case proceeds through the Florida court system.
What Happens Next
Following his release on bond, Foulds remains subject to court-ordered restrictions while prosecutors continue pursuing the case.
Court records indicate that additional hearings are expected, although a final trial schedule had not yet been established at the time of reporting.
The case continues to attract public attention because it involves a sitting federal administrative law judge accused of domestic violence and because of his unsuccessful attempts to use his judicial status to obtain favorable treatment during court proceedings.
The prosecution must now prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, while the defense is expected to challenge the accusations as the case moves forward through the judicial process.
