Florida Supreme Court rejects punishment for Judge Cynthia Imperato

High court seeks full hearing before JQC for Broward County judge convicted of DUI

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – The Florida Supreme Court has rejected a deal that would have imposed a fine and suspension on a Broward County judge convicted of DUI.

Thursday's decision calls for "a full hearing before the Judicial Qualifications Committee" so that the court can determine an "appropriate sanction" for Judge Cynthia Imperato.

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READ: Florida Supreme Court decision on judge's discipline

An investigative panel of the Judicial Qualifications Committee recommended in March that Imperato be suspended for 20 days without pay, incur a $5,000 fine and undergo an alcohol evaluation.

The judge was sentenced in December to 20 days of house arrest and a year of probation, ordered to pay court costs, perform 150 hours of community service and attend DUI school. Her driving privileges were also revoked, and she is prohibited from possessing or consuming alcohol or drugs, for which she is subject to random testing.

Imperato was arrested on a DUI charge in Boca Raton in November 2013.

Attempts to contact Imperato's judicial assistant for comment were unsuccessful.

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