On Friday, August 29, 2025, the Investigative Panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission filed a notice of formal charges against Broward County Judge Woody Clermont, recommending a public reprimand.
The charges stem from an incident on April 11, 2025, when Clermont intervened in a courtroom proceeding involving a friend facing a domestic violence charge.
According to commission documents, Clermont attended his friend’s first appearance hearing in a Broward County courtroom. During the hearing, he provided information to the prosecutor and presiding judge about his friend’s character, which was described as mitigating details.
The commission stated that Clermont’s actions amounted to acting as an attorney by advocating for the defendant, creating an appearance of impropriety. By offering character testimony, he was deemed to have used the prestige of his judicial position to promote the private interests of another.
The commission noted that the presiding judge at the hearing promptly reported Clermont’s conduct to other judicial colleagues. Those colleagues advised Clermont to self-report the incident to the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, which he did. The commission, tasked with investigating judicial misconduct, emphasized that the appearance of impropriety was significant in this case.
Clermont has accepted responsibility for his actions and agreed to the commission’s recommendation of a public reprimand. The Florida Supreme Court, which holds the final authority on judicial disciplinary matters, will determine the outcome of the case.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
