Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 9, 2016

A Jacksonville judge has formally denied allegations he made racially biased and other derogatory comments off the bench, including calling a female attorney the “c-word.” Late Monday, Circuit Judge Mark Hulsey III filed a written response to judicial misconduct charges against him. He also asked for a separate investigation into a leak of the case before it became […]

Jim RosicaJuly 20, 2016

A Jacksonville judge facing misconduct proceedings is fighting back, saying the allegations against him are false and “dirty political tactics.” Among other violations, Circuit Judge Mark Hulsey III was charged Wednesday with reportedly making racially biased and other derogatory comments off the bench. (Previous story here.) One accusation had him referring to a woman attorney by using a vulgar term […]

Jim RosicaJuly 20, 2016

A Jacksonville judge now faces judicial misconduct proceedings for reportedly making racially biased and other derogatory comments off the bench, among other charges. They include referring to a woman attorney by using a vulgar term for female genitalia. The state’s Judicial Qualifications Commission filed its notice of formal charges against Circuit Judge Mark Hulsey III on Wednesday. The commission investigates […]

Jim RosicaJune 13, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court is signaling it agrees with the proposed punishment for a Broward judge. A panel of the Judicial Qualifications Commission had recommended a public reprimand, mentoring and stress management classes after Circuit Judge John Patrick Contini was brought up on judicial conduct charges last year. The court issued an order to Contini on […]

Jim RosicaJune 10, 2016

A judicial discipline panel has recommended a public reprimand and 90-day suspension for a judge who “circulated a deceptive, misleading advertisement.” Its members also suggested paranoia on the part of Circuit Judge Kimberly Shepard, who believed “sinister forces (were) at work” trying to defeat her, they said. Shepard, who sits in Osceola County, ran for office and won […]

Martin DyckmanJune 10, 2016

Assume that Pam Bondi were a judge. That’s a dismal prospect but bear with it. Assume further that she asked for a campaign contribution from a big shot businessman who was being sued in her court — and that after getting the money, she dismissed the case. If she was a judge, instead of Florida’s […]

Jim RosicaMay 13, 2016

Sometimes, respecting the rules of the game means you have to lose. That was the message delivered Friday at an ethics forum for judicial candidates held in Tallahassee. Similar events were held around the state this week. Current and retired judges and others briefed several area contenders for judgeships on Florida’s Code of Judicial Conduct, which also […]

Jim RosicaApril 19, 2016

schwartz-jacqueline-handout-2014-Article-201411071140-Custom-3500x5000.jpg

The Florida Supreme Court has suspended a Miami-Dade County judge after allegations she was “impaired” at work. The court on Tuesday unanimously ordered Judge Jacqueline Schwartz suspended from office immediately until a formal finding. “The parties shall file simultaneous responses as to why Judge Schwartz should not be suspended without pay pending disposition of this proceeding,” the court wrote. […]

Associated PressApril 18, 2016

A Florida judicial panel is recommending that a Miami-Dade County judge be suspended from the bench because of evidence she was impaired at a restaurant and at work. The Judicial Qualifications Commission panel made the recommendation Monday pending the outcome of Judge Jacqueline Schwartz‘s case. The Florida Supreme Court must decide whether to approve the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 11, 2016

The Bradenton trial judge who accepted baseball tickets from a law firm representing a woman whose personal injury case he was presiding over has resigned from the bench. Circuit Judge John F. Lakin resigned Monday from the 12th Judicial Circuit. It serves DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Lakin, elected in 2012, was facing a judicial conduct inquiry by the state’s Judicial […]

Tag: Judicial Qualifications Commission

Jax judge denies calling woman lawyer ‘c-word’

Mark Hulsey fires back, says ‘dirty political tactics’ at play

Jax judge accused of calling female attorney “c-word”

Supreme Court could reprimand judge over ‘undignified conduct’

Judge could be suspended for ‘deceptive’ campaign flier

Martin Dyckman: Pam Bondi’s mess too pungent to ignore

Judicial candidates schooled on campaign ethics

Miami-Dade judge suspended over “impairment” allegations

Judicial panel recommends judge’s suspension for impairment

Judge who took Rays tickets from law firm quits bench