MEDIA ARTICLE: Judge Stefanie Moon suspended, fined for Code of Judicial Conduct violations (7-18-25, Florida Bar News)

 Judge Stefanie Moon suspended, fined for Code of Judicial Conduct violations

Jul 18, 2025 By Mark D. Killian Editor Top Stories

The Florida Supreme Court has ordered 17th Circuit Judge Stefanie C. Moon to be suspended, fined, and to appear before the court for a public reprimand for violations involving inappropriate campaign activity, prohibited ex parte communication, and prohibited political contributions.

The court acted unanimously July 17 in Case No. SC2025-0071.

“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,” the court said. “Judge Moon’s conduct is unacceptable especially given that the [Judicial Qualifications] Commission had already cautioned her in 2019 for improper campaign activities. Nonetheless the Commission’s recommended discipline in this matter credits Judge Moon for cooperation, remorse, and acceptance of responsibility.”

The court went on to say that while it defers to the JQC’s assessment of Moon’s contrition, “We stress that the Court cannot tolerate any further misconduct by Judge Moon.”

Judge Moon admitted to Code of Judicial Conduct violations, and the JQC and Moon agreed that she should be suspended for 10 days without pay, fined $2,115, and be publicly reprimanded.

The stipulation resolves three JQC cases against Judge Moon. She admits that, from the bench and while wearing her robe, she asked an attorney why he had not returned her call about serving on her re-election committee; that she engaged in ex parte communication with the mental health therapist of a party in a divorce case pending before her; and that between 2020 and 2024, she made financial contributions totaling approximately $2,000 to political organizations and candidates, including ActBlue and the campaign funds of President Biden and Vice President Harris.

Judge Moon’s conduct implicates multiple provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct, the court said.

“Judges must always act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary,” the court said, noting that except in limited circumstances, judges may not engage in communication about a pending or impending proceeding outside the presence of the parties and judges may not make financial contributions to political organizations or candidates.

“Judge Moon’s acknowledgement that she has violated these canons is amply supported by the record,” the court said.

The court said the 10-day suspension without pay is effective on a date within 30 days of the issuance of the opinion, as determined by the chief judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit. The $2,115.40 fine equals the amount of her improper political contributions.

https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/judge-stefanie-moon-suspended-fined-for-code-of-judicial-conduct-violations/