On Thursday, January 16, 2025, the Tampa Free Press reported that a circuit judge in Florida, Stefanie Moon, is facing a potential reprimand from the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) for inappropriate conduct. According to documents submitted to the Florida Supreme Court, Judge Moon’s actions involve two notable incidents.
In January 2024, Judge Moon left a voicemail for an attorney, urging him to join her re-election committee. When the attorney failed to respond, she addressed the matter during a court hearing, reminding him of his lack of communication. The JQC deemed this behavior inappropriate, highlighting concerns about potential bias and its negative implications for the attorney’s clients.
In a separate case, Judge Moon contacted the therapist of a defendant whose mental health was pertinent to the proceedings. This therapist was also a witness in the case. The JQC found that Judge Moon did not disclose this “ex parte” communication to the involved parties, constituting a violation of judicial canons.
Judge Moon has acknowledged the JQC’s findings and has accepted the proposed disciplinary action, which includes a reprimand. The Florida Supreme Court retains the authority to make final decisions regarding disciplinary measures against judges.
Source: Tampa Free Press
