sunEthics

Florida Supreme Court reprimands judge for ethical violations during her election campaign.  [Added 2/5/10]

    The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission brought formal charges against Judge.  She was accused of ethics violations during her election campaign.  Specifically, Judge was charged with:  (1) using an ad urging voters to "re-elect" her, when in reality Judge had been appointed rather than elected to the bench; and (2) stating in an ad that she had "20 years of legal experience" when she did not.  Judge stipulated to these facts.  This conduct violated Canon 7A(3)(d)(ii) of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct.

    The Florida Supreme Court stated:  "Canon 7A(3)(d)(ii) is intended to preserve the integrity of the judiciary and maintain the public's confidence in a fair, impartial, and independent judiciary.  It is clear that a member of the judiciary or judicial candidate should not mislead the public by placing factually incorrect statements in campaign materials.  . . .  [T]he misleading information contained within Judge []'s campaign materials was placed within the materials deliberately and was done for the purpose of bolstering her own experience and credibility to the voting public.  Without a doubt, Judge []'s conduct was wholly inappropriate."  The Court ordered that Judge be publicly reprimanded before the Court.  Inquiry Concerning a Judge, Nos. 08-392, 08-360 re: Angela Dempsey, __ So.3d ___ (Fla., No. SC09-1747, 2/11/2010).

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