Staff Writer
The American Board of Trial Advocates hosted a luncheon ethics seminar Thursday for more than 30 judges within the Fourth Judicial Circuit at the Courthouse.
ABOTA is dedicated to “Justice by the People” and the preservation of the jury trial system through ethics.
In the hourlong session, attorney Hugh Cotney, ABOTA Jacksonville chapter president, discussed several highlighted cases in both the courtroom and campaign trail from around the state where judges were reprimanded for violating judicial canons.
The majority of the cases came from other parts of the state, said Cotney, who joked he’d never accuse the collected judges of improprieties.
Attorney Howard Coker followed Cotney in the discussion and talked about the Judicial Qualifications Commission, an independent agency created by the Florida Constitution to investigate alleged misconduct by Florida judges. Coker was a member of the agency for six years.
“I can tell you that it is not a witch-hunting organization,” said Coker, who said it was often misunderstood.
On average, the agency receives 500 to 1,000 cases a year, which originate from complaints of any kind.
“A simple letter is all it takes,” he said.
Cases also originate after an involuntary retirement of a judge because of a serious illness.
If called before the commission, Coker said the easiest thing to do is simply tell the truth and be candid regarding the alleged incident. Judges also run into trouble, he added, with attempts at humor on issues such as diversity.
In its first year, the seminar was a success in both the turnout and the message, said Cotney. He plans on making it an annual event.
Participants earned continuing education credit and one hour of ethics credit.
Chief Judge Donald Moran thanked ABOTA for its services and being “an invaluable asset to the circuit.”
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