On Monday, October 2, 2023, the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (FJQC) scheduled a case management conference to discuss the inquiry concerning Judge Nancy Jacobs.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Nancy Jacobs,” with case no. SC23-1303.
Florida Circuit Court Judge Nancy Jacobs was formally charged on September 14, 2023, by the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission for alleged misconduct during her 2022 campaign. The charges include neglecting campaign social media content, making inappropriate remarks about her opponent, and soliciting a lawyer to run against another judge. The charges cite violations of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct and were found to have probable cause by the Investigative Panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission. These charges have raised questions about Jacobs’ fitness to hold her position and have prompted public scrutiny, including regret from the Florida Planned Parenthood PAC, which endorsed her during her campaign.
On September 29, 2023, the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission filed a notice of hearing panel members for the case. It was announced that the hearing will take place before a panel of seven members, including Gregory W. Coleman, Esq., William F. Schifino, Jr., Esq., Hon. Mark H. Mahon, Hon. Gary P. Flower, Jonathan Bronitsky, Ph.D. (lay member), Michelle Montanaro (lay member), and Hon. Mark H. Mahon. Coleman will chair the proceedings.
The FJQC also scheduled a case management conference regarding the said case. It will be held on October 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of the conference is to discuss the scheduling of the case, including the time necessary for pre-trial discovery, the witnesses to be called and exhibits to be introduced, and a good faith estimate of the length of time required to try the parties’ respective cases at the final hearing.
Additionally, the conference will address any motions to be heard prior to the final hearing and any further amendments to charges or defenses. The parties are notified that at the final hearing, the Respondent Judge will be limited to a total of three live character witnesses. The Hearing Panel will otherwise consider letters or affidavits as to character filed by the Respondent Judge.
Judge Jacobs attended the University of Miami School of Law, graduating in 1985. Judge Jacobs’s courtroom is located at 301 N. Michigan Ave., Room 2016 Plant City, Florida 33563, Courtroom #2, and can be reached at (813) 272-6137. Her info can be found on fijud13.org.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
