Bibles are causing quite the controversy at the Osceola County Courthouse, where one judge is under criticism for giving away Bibles in his courtroom.
Judge Hal Epperson, an Osceola County criminal court judge, is now under a magnifying glass after a new study was released.
The Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers surveys attorneys in the area on how they view local judges.
One comment stood out: It accused Epperson of having Bibles in his courtroom. The comment read as follows: "To, in open court, offer criminal defendants who, at his will, could serve years in jail any endorsement of any religion gives the appearance of the government-forced religious conversion."
Epperson and Chief Judge Belvin Perry both declined to comment on the issue.
Epperson is no longer giving away the Bibles, per orders by Perry.
Jaya Balani, a partner at NeJame Law, said it could create favoritism inside the courtroom.
"There could be an issue there with it being unethical in certain perspectives," Balani said.
A spokesperson did say that Epperson had a box holding "a few" Gideons Bibles.
"If a defendant came in and had a different belief, and he feels that the judge sentenced him unfairly based on his belief, or if he stated he didn't want the Bible ... possibly there could be an appeal based (on) that," Balani said.