The Florida Supreme Court has formally sanctioned Broward County Circuit Judge Stefanie C. 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 brought forward three separate complaints against her. The court 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:
Improper Campaign Solicitation: While presiding from the bench and wearing her judicial robe, Judge Moon asked an attorney—who had just completed a hearing before her—why he had not returned her call about joining her re-election committee. The Supreme Court noted this left the attorney concerned that a failure to support Moon’s campaign could negatively impact his clients.
Prohibited Ex Parte Communication: In a separate divorce case, Judge Moon spoke directly with the mental health therapist of one of the parties involved—outside the presence of both parties or their attorneys—a clear violation of Canon 3B(7)(a) of the judicial code.
Improper Political Contributions: Between 2020 and 2024, Moon made approximately $2,000 in donations to political campaigns and organizations, including ActBlue and the Biden-Harris campaign funds. Under Canon 7A(1)(e), judges are strictly barred from contributing to political candidates or parties.
These actions violate Canons 1, 2A, 3B(7)(a), and 7A(1)(e), all of which are designed to protect public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the judiciary.
The court emphasized that Moon had already been cautioned by the JQC in 2019 for previous campaign-related misconduct. Despite that, she went on to commit the current offenses in completely unrelated matters, raising deeper concerns about her adherence to judicial standards.
In its ruling, the court wrote:
“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…”
Still, the JQC recommended a relatively moderate penalty, citing Moon’s cooperation, expression of remorse, and acceptance of responsibility. The Supreme Court deferred to the Commission’s disciplinary recommendation but made clear its tolerance has limits:
“The Court cannot tolerate any further misconduct by Judge Moon.”
Judge Moon will serve a 10-day unpaid suspension, to begin on a date chosen by the Chief Judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (Broward County).
She must pay $2,115.40, equivalent to the amount of her improper political contributions.
She will appear before the Florida Supreme Court for a public reprimand, with the date to be scheduled by the Clerk of Court.
Read the ruling below:
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