The time has come again for people seeking election as state judges in 2008 to be trained in the strict rules governing judicial elections. And word from the state’s highest court is plain:
Those who do not attend the training sessions can and will be judged by what they refused to learn.
These “candidate forums” now are being planned across the state by the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar Board of Governors. Forums are held every election year with the help of the court’s Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee and the state’s trial court chief judges and have become a standard part of every judicial candidate’s homework.
The one-hour forums are preliminarily scheduled at 1 p.m. local time May 8-9, in all circuits in which there will be contested judicial elections. The forums will emphasize the importance of integrity and professionalism among candidates for judicial office and the consequent impact of campaign conduct on public trust and confidence in the courts.
The training session for the Fourth Circuit, which includes Clay, Duval and Nassau counties, is set for May 8 at the Duval County Courthouse in Room 4.
The training session for the Seventh Circuit — Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties — is May 9 at the Volusia County Courthouse Annex in Courtroom.
Chief judges will open the forums with brief remarks stressing the nonpartisan character of judicial races, then present a videotaped introduction by Chief Justice Fred Lewis. Representatives of The Florida Bar Board of Governors will speak briefly regarding the Bar’s role in judicial elections.
Members of the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee will then provide a summary review of Canon 7 of Florida’s Code of Judicial Conduct, call attention to informational resources, and further impress upon candidates, campaign staff, and others in the community the seriousness with which the Florida Supreme Court views any abuse of the election process.
“The Florida Supreme Court has adopted rules that govern judicial elections and prohibit conduct that is detrimental to public confidence in the system,” Chief Justice Lewis said. “Together with the Judicial Qualifications Commission and The Florida Bar, we have vigorously enforced these rules and will continue to do so.”
The Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee is charged with rendering advisory opinions interpreting the application of the Code of Judicial Conduct to specific circumstances confronting or affecting judges and judicial candidates. The committee’s election booklet, “An Aid to Understanding Canon 7,” will be distributed at all forums, first to candidates and campaign managers, then to others as available.
— Courtesy Florida Bar News