Topic: Judicial Qualifications

The Leon County judge faced accusations she used her office to promote a religious business. The Supreme Court will decide on penalties.

Prosecution suggests the removal of Leon County Judge Judith Hawkins from the bench, while her defense argued her conduct was deserving of no more than reprimand. ... Related Research: Briefs & Other Documents in Case No. 12-2495 before the Supreme Court of Florida.

Prosecutor says the Leon County judge operated a private business out of her chambers and attempted to hide it by deleting documents from her office computer once the investigation began. ... Related Research: Briefs & Other Documents in Case No. 12-2495 before the Supreme Court of Florida.

The Leon County Judge Judith Hawkins is accused of deleting records sought by investigators. This week the Judicial Qualifications Commission amended its charges, adding contentions that during the investigation of the case Hawkins refused to comply with authorities and misled their efforts. Her attorney has denied the earlier charges. ... Related Research: Biography of Judge Judith W. Hawkins, and briefs & other documents in Case No. 12-2495 before the Florida Supreme Court.

The state Supreme Court receives charges that Leon County Judge Judith Hawkins abused her office to promote her sideline business, a Web-based self-help and ministerial marketing site. ... Related Research: Dec. 5, 2012 Notice of Formal Charges against Judge Judith W. Hawkins.

The final hearings in the judicial misconduct case against the 1st DCA judge had been set to begin at the end of October.

A U.S. Senate panel meets in Pensacola to discuss recovery from last year's Gulf of Mexico oil spill, while redistricting hearings are held across the state. Campaign finance reports are also due this week.

Judge Paul Hawkes filed a lengthy rebuttal to formal charges that he abused his power and his office, especially in connection with the controversial courthouse project that has been called a "Taj Mahal." A judicial ethics panel has recommended that the state Supreme Court take action against Hawkes.

Gov. Rick Scott signs into law two controversial bills and warns that he will veto spending items contained in the new state budget. The other big news this past week were the allegations leveled against the judge deeply involved with the construction of the 1st DCA courthouse.

The Judicial Qualifications Commission issued formal charges against 1st DCA Chief Judge Paul Hawkes. The charges include destroying court documents related to the construction of the new 1st DCA courthouse, trying for illegal free trips and a general pattern of abuse and intimidation of government employees.

What passed, what failed, what you need to know regarding courts and the law. House Speaker Dean Cannon won approval for a constitutional amendment that if approved by voters would make several changes to the judicial branch -- including giving lawmakers control over court rulemaking and subjecting Supreme Court justices to Senate confirmation. Lawmakers also passed several measures aimed at limiting lawsuits.