On Friday, February 27, 2026, the hearing panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (FJQC) recommended a 30-day suspension, a public reprimand, a $10,000 fine, and the taxation of proceedings costs against Broward County Judge Lauren Peffer. This disciplinary action stems from findings related to her 2024 judicial campaign, during which she sought the endorsement of the South Florida Sun Sentinel newspaper.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Lauren Peffer,” with case number SC2025-0647.

The panel concluded that Judge Peffer violated Canon 7A(3)(b) of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct. The charges allege that Judge Peffer claimed that “recent revelations from the Ninth Circuit have highlighted an image crisis within Florida’s judiciary” in a questionnaire. She also submitted a fake recording to the Sun Sentinel in an attempt to support her claims.

According to the FJQC, Judge Peffer failed to exercise due diligence in several key areas. She did not speak with the former Ninth Judicial Circuit employee whose e-book she referenced, nor did she consult with any judges or former judges identified in the matters discussed. The panel noted that Judge Peffer never read the e-book in question and did not listen to the entire recording before sharing it with the editorial board. Furthermore, she took no steps to determine the legitimacy of the recording, which has since been proven to be completely fabricated.

The FJQC emphasized that Judge Peffer’s actions helped facilitate a false perception and harmed the reputation of the judiciary. The panel stated that her lack of due diligence and use of the book and the recording in furtherance of her efforts to obtain the Sun Sentinel’s endorsement violated Canon 7A(3)(b). They found that her intent did not excuse her misconduct.

The hearing panel acknowledged Judge Peffer’s admission that she unintentionally violated Canon 7A(3)(b). However, the panel concluded that Judge Peffer undermined public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary by promoting false accusations against the Ninth Judicial Circuit judiciary. The FJQC also noted that Judge Peffer amplified the issue to include the Florida Supreme Court by submitting the recording to the Sun Sentinel.

During the proceedings, three character witnesses testified on Judge Peffer’s behalf, including Judge Olga Levine and Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips. Judge John Fry testified that Judge Peffer regularly seeks his advice and that her critical thinking is “very good.” He also described her as “always available” and one of the “hardest working judges.”

Despite the positive testimony, the FJQC found that Judge Peffer exhibited gross negligence in her actions. The panel considered her expressions of remorse and the testimony of her character witnesses in mitigation. However, they concluded that her actions were serious enough to warrant the recommended disciplinary measures.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.