MIAMI-DADE COUNTY JUDGE RECEIVES 90-DAY SUSPENSION, $5,000 FINE, AND PUBLIC REPRIMAND

UPDATE: Pursuant to a revised stipulation between the JQC and Judge Ortiz, the Florida Supreme Court imposed a 90-day suspension without pay, a $5,000 fine, and a public reprimand. TALLAHASSEE-  The Investigative Panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) has filed formal charges against Miami-Dade County Judge Maria Ortiz for failing to properly disclose…

FLORIDA SUPRME COURT ORDERS REMOVAL OF 7TH CIRCUIT JUDGE SCOTT C. DUPONT

UPDATE: Accepting the recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the Florida Supreme Court ordered the immediate removal of Judge Scott DuPont. TALLAHASSEE- The Florida Supreme Court has taken under advisement the Judicial Qualifications Commission’s (JQC) recommendation that 7th Circuit Judge Scott C. DuPont be removed from office. On April 30, 2018, Judge DuPont filed his…

PALM BEACH COUNTY JUDGE DANA SANTINO REMOVED BY FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

UPDATE: Accepting the recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the Florida Supreme Court removed Judge Dana Santino from office. TALLAHASSEE- The Florida Supreme Court is considering whether to remove Palm Beach County Judge Dana Santino, as recommended by the Hearing Panel of the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC).  Judge Santino was charged with committing several serious…

SUPREME COURT SUSPENDS JUDGE YACUCCI

TALLAHASSEE- The Florida Supreme Court has accepted the Findings and Recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission and ordered that St. Lucie County Judge Philip Yacucci be suspended without pay for 30 days, attend judicial ethics training, and receive a public reprimand.  Judge Yacucci must also pay the cost of the proceedings in this inquiry.  Two…

SUPREME COURT SUSPENDS 9TH CIRCUIT JUDGE KIMBERLY SHEPARD FOR MISLEADING CAMPAIGN ADVERTISEMENT

TALLAHASSEE- The Florida Supreme Court unanimously approved the Findings and Recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission Hearing Panel which conducted a full evidentiary hearing and recommended that Judge Shepard be found guilty of violating the Code of Judicial Conduct, and suspended without pay for 90 days, and be publicly reprimanded.  Judge Shepard will also have…