*A Florida judge is at the center of mixed opinions surrounding a recommendation to have her formally reprimanded for alleged ethical lapses in and out of the courtroom.
According to The Daily Mail, the drama centers on Judge Stefanie Moon, who faces a public reprimand and a fine for allegedly mixing campaign politics with her courtroom authority and making improper political contributions while on the bench.
The case is now in the hands of the Florida Supreme Court, which is tasked with deciding whether to accept, reject, or modify the Judicial Qualifications Commission’s (JQC) recommendation. In its description of Moon’s exploits, the Commission labeled it ‘inherently coercive’ and potentially damaging to public confidence in the judiciary.
Moon’s legal dilemma stems from a confrontation between the judge and attorney Michael Jones that took place after a hearing and was captured on courtroom audio in February 2024. The incident was sparked when Moon questioned Jones on why he hadn’t returned a call about joining Moon’s reelection campaign committee. The call, which was on Moon’s cell phone, was made in March after work hours. Jones was unavailable at the time of the call. Under Florida’s judicial rules, a judge’s outreach is allowed as long as it is limited, indirect, and kept strictly outside the courtroom.
“This is Judge Stefanie Moon. I hope you are well. I’m reaching out because I’m assembling my reelection committee, and I was wondering if you would be willing to serve. If you would kindly return my call, I’d greatly appreciate it,” Moon said in her voicemail to Jones.
Scroll to continue reading
Fast forward to now and Moon and Jones are face to face in court, with Moon directing her attention to Jones, after dismissing a restraining order case involving a client Jones represented.
“I left you a message,’ Moon told attorney Jones in the courtroom audio, which captured her asking about his unresponsiveness before it was deactivated.
“I said, ‘Yes, judge. You did.’ And she asked me why I didn’t return the court’s call,’ Jones recalled. ‘I was extremely uncomfortable.”
Jones wasn’t the only one taken aback by Moon. The JQC mentioned it was ‘quite disturbed’ by her in-court remarks to the attorney.
Describing Moon’s actions as ‘an inappropriate political activity’ the Commission cited the power imbalance created when a judge questions an attorney in open court about campaign support.
“The inherently coercive nature of the interaction… could reasonably raise questions about the judge’s integrity or impartiality,” the Commission concluded.
Although Moon ultimately admitted her interaction with Jones was inappropriate and could have been perceived as coercive, she disputed the allegation that she asked Jones why he hadn’t returned her call, saying it was “self-evident.”
The Daily Mail reports Moon has now agreed to the reprimand and the paying of the fine, which totaled $2,115. The amount is equal to political donations Moon made to Democratic-aligned groups – contributions the commission said violated judicial canons. Given Moon’s admission of wrongdoing, her expression of ‘deep regret’, and her cooperation with investigators, JQC said the fine and public reprimand were appropriate.
Further adding to the situation, the JQC added more to the situation on April 4, with its release of documents highlighting additional violations from Moon, including her donations to political committees supporting former Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, and ActBlue, in addition to improperly contacting a mental health counselor who was scheduled to testify in a stalking case before her.
Judge Moon’s current troubles are far cry from when she was seen as a rising star in Broward legal circles. After stints as an assistant US attorney and private civil litigator, Moon was elected to the Broward County circuit bench in 2018. In 2024, she was reelected to her position with nearly 65 percent of the vote.
At this time, Moon has yet to comment publicly on her situation, despite repeated requests for comment.
News of Moon’s ordeal has generated mixed views, with supporters voicing opposition, as they feel the violations should be seen as lapses in judgment, not patterns of misconduct.
‘Judge Moon is one of the most ethical, methodical, thorough judges I’ve ever appeared in front of. Everything in her courtroom is by the book,’ said attorney Valerie Small-Williams, who served on Moon’s reelection committee. ‘I don’t think her intent was to violate anything.’
For more on Judge Moon and her legal drama, click here.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB: Scammed? Students Owe $Thousand$ – Roc Nation School at LIU-Brooklyn’s Disappeared Debt-Free Promise
We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
