Judicial ethics panel nixes judge’s law enforcement recertification request
Associating with a prior employer — a police department in the county where the judge sits — would cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s capacity to act impartially
A Florida judge may not maintain active law enforcement credentials by completing recertification training with — or accepting payment for that training from — the same police department where the judge once served, according to the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee.
Acting June 16 in Opinion Number 2025-12, the JEAC said doing so would cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s impartiality.
The inquiring judge previously served as a reserve city police officer in the same county where the judge now sits. While no longer working in that capacity, the judge wishes to remain actively certified, which requires completing 40 hours of continuing education every four years. The judge, now due for the training, wants to complete it with the former police department — and have the department cover the cost.
“Given the precedent of this committee, it is evident that associating with a prior employer — a police department in the county where the judge sits — and accepting their payment for the certification course would cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s capacity to act impartially or would undermine the judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality,” the ethics panel concluded, citing:
- JEAC Op. 2000-04, where the committee found that a special hearing officer, subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct, could not attend a local police department’s Citizens Police Academy, as doing so would create an appearance of impropriety.
- JEAC Op. 2001-03, where the committee found that a judge could not serve as a spokesperson in Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles advertising promoting seatbelt use. The committee said such a role would create an appearance of impropriety and cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s impartiality in cases involving Highway Patrol officers or the department itself.
- JEAC Op. 2006-29, where the committee determined that membership and administrative work for the Florida Highway Patrol Association would cast reasonable doubt on a judge’s impartiality and interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties.
The Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee provides advisory opinions to judges and judicial candidates on how the Code of Judicial Conduct applies to their circumstances. While judges and candidates may cite JEAC opinions as evidence of good faith, the opinions are not binding on the Judicial Qualifications Commission.
