Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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

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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 […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 12, 2016

A former co-worker of retired Judge Jackie Fulford is taking her place on the bench of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which includes the state capital. Gov. Rick Scott this week announced the appointment of Frank Allman Jr. to replace Fulford. Allman and Fulford were both assistant prosecutors under longtime State Attorney Willie Meggs. The 55-year-old Allman, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2016

A Bradenton trial judge was charged Monday with accepting baseball tickets from a law firm representing a woman whose personal injury case he was presiding over. Circuit Judge John F. Lakin was accused of violating the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct by the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), which said he demonstrated “a present unfitness to serve.” […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 13, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has denied a former judge’s request to reconsider his removal from the bench after he was caught on courtroom video berating and threatening to fight an assistant public defender. The court issued its denial of John C. Murphy‘s motion for rehearing on Wednesday. The request was technical in nature: Murphy had wanted his removal to be for […]

Associated PressDecember 17, 2015

A judge who was captured on video berating and threatening to fight an assistant public defender was ordered removed from the bench Thursday by the Florida Supreme Court. Brevard County Judge John C. Murphy got into an argument last year with now-former assistant public defender Andrew Weinstock over whether a defendant could have a speedy trial. […]

Tag: Judicial Qualifications Commission

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

Veteran prosecutor tapped for Tallahassee-area judgeship

Judicial conduct panel charges Bradenton judge over Rays baseball tickets

Supreme Court denies rehearing request by former judge

Supreme Court orders ‘kick ass’ judge removed from bench