DocketNumber: No. SC96830
Judges: Anstead, Harding, Lewis, Pariente, Quince, Shaw, Wells
Filed Date: 9/14/2000
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 10/18/2024
We have for review the recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission that Judge Kenton H. Haymans be publicly reprimanded. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 12, Fla. Const.
The Judicial Qualifications Commission (“JQC”) on October 7, 1999, filed notice of formal proceedings against Judge Hay-mans alleging that he had engaged in a pattern of rudeness and disrespect toward lawyers, parties, witnesses, victims, and court personnel. See R. Fla. Jud. Qual. Comm’n R. 6; Fla.Code Jud. Conduct, Canons 1-3. The JQC documented specific examples of alleged misconduct. The judge filed an answer admitting the misconduct, apologizing, recusing himself from further work on the criminal bench, and promising not .to seek reelection when his term ends in January 2001. He waived a formal hearing before the Hearing Panel of the JQC, and the Investigative Panel subsequently filed in this Court its findings and recommendation that Judge Hay-mans be publicly reprimanded. Judge Haymans stipulated to the recommendation. See Fla. Jud. Qual. Comm’n R. 6(j).
Based on the foregoing, we approve the findings and recommendation of the Investigative Panel of the JQC and, pursuant to the guidelines announced in In re Frank, 753 So.2d 1228 (Fla.2000), hereby order Judge Haymans to appear before this Court at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2000, to be publicly reprimanded for his misconduct.
It is so ordered.