The Florida Supreme Court has formally sanctioned Broward County Circuit Judge Stefanie Moon for multiple violations of judicial ethics, ordering a 10-day suspension without pay, a $2,115.40 fine, and a mandatory public reprimand before the state’s highest court.
In a unanimous decision issued July 17, the court approved a negotiated resolution between Judge Moon and the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), which had filed three separate complaints against her. The justices described her conduct as “unacceptable” and warned that any future violations would not be tolerated.
Judge Moon admitted to violating several provisions of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct in three unrelated incidents.
In one instance, while presiding from the bench in her judicial robe, Moon asked an attorney—who had just completed a hearing—why he had not returned her call about joining her re-election committee. The court noted the attorney was left concerned that refusing to support her campaign might negatively affect his clients.
In a separate case, Moon engaged in a prohibited ex parte communication by speaking directly with a mental health therapist involved in a divorce proceeding—without either party or their attorneys present—violating Canon 3B(7)(a) of the judicial code.
Moon also made approximately $2,000 in political contributions between 2020 and 2024 to organizations including ActBlue and the Biden-Harris campaign, despite Canon 7A(1)(e) strictly barring judges from contributing to political candidates or parties.
The court found her actions violated Canons 1, 2A, 3B(7)(a), and 7A(1)(e), all aimed at maintaining public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the judiciary.
Moon had previously received a caution from the JQC in 2019 for campaign-related misconduct. “Our Court does not often come upon a judicial discipline case in which a single judge has violated the Code of Judicial Conduct in such distinct ways in wholly unrelated incidents. Judge Moon’s conduct is unacceptable,” the court wrote in its ruling.
Despite the serious breaches, the JQC recommended a moderate penalty, citing Moon’s cooperation, remorse, and acceptance of responsibility. The court ultimately accepted the recommendation but issued a stark warning: “The Court cannot tolerate any further misconduct by Judge Moon.”
The unpaid suspension will begin on a date set by the Chief Judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. Moon is also required to pay $2,115.40—equal to the amount of her improper political contributions—and appear before the Florida Supreme Court for a public reprimand, the date of which will be scheduled by the Clerk of Court.
