Florida Supreme Court disciplines a judge for election-related misconduct.  [Added 12/7/10]

    The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission ("JQC") filed charges accusing Judge of election-related misconduct during her 2008 campaign.  The JQC alleged that Judge "listed contributions to her campaign fund totaling $125,000 as loans made by her, when those funds were in fact loans from her father made in violation of the contribution limits set by" Fla.Stat. sec. 106.08 (2007).  Judge and the JQC entered a stipulation to the following facts.  Prior to the election Judge executed a promissory note in favor of her parents, received funds in 4 installments, deposited the funds into her campaign account, and listed these deposits on her quarterly campaign treasurer's reports as a loan from Judge.  Shortly after the general election Judge filed a report with the Division of Elections showing that she received loans from her father.  The next year Judge filed her annual Form 6 "Full and Public Disclosure of Financial Interests" statement that did not disclose the loans from her father.  After the JQC investigation commenced, Judge filed an amended Form 6 listing the loans.

    The JQC concluded that Judge violated Canons 1, 2A, and 6B of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct and recommended that Judge be publicly reprimanded and pay a $5,000 fine.

    On review, the Florida Supreme Court imposed the recommended discipline.  "We agree that Judge []’s misconduct was less egregious or more mitigated than the misconduct at issue in [In re] Rodriguez [829 So.2d 857 (Fla. 2002)] and [In re] Pando [903 So.2d 902 (Fla. 2005)] and that a less severe sanction than was imposed in those cases is appropriate here.  Because the JQC’s recommended discipline is consistent with this Court’s precedent, we approve the recommendation."  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 09-518 re: Yvonne Colodny, 51 So.3d 430 (Fla. 2010).

Florida Supreme Court publicly reprimands judge for his response to disqualification motion and conduct in dealing with pro se litigants.  [Added 2/17/10]  --  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 07-43 re: Ralph E. Eriksson, 36 So.3d 580 (Fla. 2010).

Florida Supreme Court publicly reprimands judges for ethical violations in two separate matters.  [Added 11/11/09]  --  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 08-373 re: Peter A. Bell, 23 So.3d 81 (Fla. 2009).  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 07-417 re: Mary Jane Henderson, 22 So.3d 58 (Fla. 2009).

Florida Supreme Court reprimands judge for filing petition of mandamus regarding first appearance proceedings.  [Added 1/30/09]  --  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 05-437 re: Clifford H. Barnes, 2 So.3d 166 (Fla. 2009).

Florida Supreme Court reprimands judge who, based on ex parte communications, authorized pre-trial release of ineligible sister of his former law partner.  [Added 10/2/08]  --  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 07-540 re: George W. Maxwell, III, 994 So.2d 974 (Fla. 2008).

Florida Supreme Court reprimands judge for her responses to motions to disqualify her.  [Added 10/2/08]  --  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 06-52 re: Cheryl Aleman, 995 So.2d 395 (Fla. 2008).

Judge who prevails against JQC charges may receive award of only costs, not attorney's fees.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, re: Gregory P. Holder, 945 So.2d 1130 (Fla. 2006).

Florida Supreme Court removes judge from office despite JQC's recommendation of lesser sanction.  Inquiry Concerning Judge John R. Sloop, 4946 So.2d 1046 (Fla. 2006).

Florida Supreme Court reprimands judge for misconduct and approves stipulation whereby judge will retire and not serve as Senior Judge.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 05-131, re:  Brandt C. Downey, III, 937 So.2d 643 (Fla. 2006).

Florida Supreme Court removes judge for campaign violation despite JQC's recommendation of lesser sanction.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 02-466, re: Judge John Renke III, 933 So.2d 482 (Fla. 2006).

Judge romantically involved with lawyer practicing before him given public reprimand.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 05-05 re: James R. Adams, 932 So.2d 1025 (Fla. 2006).

Judge's campaign conduct and improper behavior on bench results in reprimand and referral to anger management counseling.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 04-249, re: W. Wayne Woodward, 919 So.2d 389 (Fla. 2006).

Judge publicly reprimanded for ordering police to release judge's close friend after DUI arrest.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 03-78, re: Dennis Maloney, 916 So.2d 786 (Fla. 2005).

Florida Supreme Court removes judge who allegedly practiced law while on bench and advised criminal client to flee jurisdiction.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 03-14 re: James E. Henson, 913 So.2d 579 (Fla. 2005).

Florida Supreme Court reprimands and fines judge who agreed to sanction, despite JQC's failure to allege violations of specific Canons.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge re:  Robert F. Diaz, 908 So.2d 334 (Fla. 2005).

Judge publicly reprimanded for failing to rule expeditiously in a dozen cases.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge re:  Meryl L. Allawas, 906 So.2d 1052 (Fla. 2005).

Florida Supreme Court reprimands and fines judge $25,000 for election campaign conduct.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, re:  Ana Marie Pando, 903 So.2d 902 (Fla. 2005).

Judge publicly reprimanded for statements to media concerning defendant in pending case.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge re: Robert Lance Andrews, 875So.2d 441 (Fla. 2004).