Two judicial openings in Florida due to misconduct

November 21, 2011

Florida: Two highly publicized misconduct procedures in Florida came to an end last week. The first, that of Judge Paul Hawkes, will end with his resignation in January. In May, Hawkes was accused of violating judicial canons while participating in the design of a new courthouse for the Florida First District Court of Appeal. The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (FJQC) charged the judge with four different violations. Throughout the investigation, Hawkes insisted that he was innocent. His resignation will put an end to the investigation, since he will no longer be subject to the Judicial Qualifications Commission.

The second target of an investigation was removed from office by the Florida Supreme Court, the state's final decision making body for the judiciary. N. James Turner was accused of inappropriate conduct with female co-workers. He has been on suspension without pay since September of 2011, after the FJQC recommended he be removed from office. Now, the high court has agreed with the commission and found Turner guilty on six of thirteen counts of misconduct.

Hawkes was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2003 by Governor Jeb Bush, while Turner has been serving since being appointed by Governor Charlie Crist in 2009.

See also

• News: Charges filed against Florida judge Paul Hawkes, May 23, 2011
• News: Action pending against Florida appellate judges, April 20, 2011