Title: Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 1317 Re: Sandy K. Kautz

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC13-2262 
____________ 
 
 
INQUIRY CONCERNING A JUDGE, NO. 13-17  
RE: SANDY K. KAUTZ  
 
[October 16, 2014] 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
We approve of the below stipulation and the Judicial Qualifications 
Commission’s findings and recommendation that Judge Sandy K. Kautz receive a 
public reprimand.   
          It is so ordered. 
STIPULATION 
In this disciplinary proceeding, the Investigative Panel of the Florida Judicial 
Qualifications Commission and Judge Sandy K. Kautz, Circuit Judge, 5th Judicial 
Circuit, present the following stipulation to this Court pursuant to [a]rticle V, 
[s]ection 12 of the Florida Constitution and [r]ule 6(j) of the Florida Judicial 
Qualifications Commission’s Rules. 
 
 
- 2 - 
1. Under [r]ule 6(j), the Investigative Panel “may reach agreement with a 
judge on discipline or disability, and such stipulation shall be transmitted directly 
to the Supreme Court, to accept, reject or modify in whole or in part.” 
2. A Notice of Investigation dated March 11, 2013 was served on Judge 
Kautz.  A hearing before the Investigative Panel was held in Tampa, Florida on 
April 12, 2013 at which Judge Kautz appeared and testified.  The Investigative 
Panel concluded that probable cause existed for the filing of Formal Charges. 
3. In light of Judge Kautz’s responses to the Panel’s inquiries, the 
Investigative Panel respectfully submits that the interest of justice and sound 
judicial administration is best served by entering into this Stipulation regarding the 
matters at issue and by the Findings and Recommendations which accompany this 
Stipulation. 
4. The allegations of violations of the [j]udicial [c]anons arise in three 
distinct areas.  The first involves Judge Kautz’s conduct and demeanor in presiding 
over injunction, juvenile and dependency cases.  From a review of the audio 
recordings of those cases, it is apparent that Judge Kautz was frustrated by the use 
of the court system by some as a solution to the many prob[l]ems inherent in those 
cases.  It is clear that Judge Kautz was intending to engender a more self-reliant 
spirit in those appearing in court.  However in doing so, she at times demeaned 
 
 
- 3 - 
those who appeared seeking injunctions or family members seeking assistance 
from the Court. 
5. As a new judge, Judge Kautz also failed to appreciate the input from the 
other stakeholders in the court system to the extent that she on occasion would rule 
in a way that made it appear she either did not know the law or refused to apply it. 
Although done without any improper purpose, it did have the consequence of 
undermining the public’s confidence in the judiciary. 
6. On December 26, 2012 Judge Kautz appeared at a First Appearance 
hearing before Judge Ritterhoff Williams, on behalf of her sister, Rhonda Kautz.  
At that hearing Judge Kautz first vouched for her as a character witness.  She also 
argued on her sister’s behalf about the circumstances surrounding the allegations 
contained in the probable cause affidavit.  Finally she requested that the Judge 
order law enforcement to assist her sister by accompanying her to the house to 
retrieve personal items. 
7. Judge Kautz admits that her actions in appearing on behalf of her sister 
were improper due to her position as a judge.  She did not, however, identify 
herself as a judge, nor did she make any argument other than that envisioned by the 
Rules of Criminal Procedure.  She does now admit that her actions did violate the 
Code of Judicial Conduct. 
 
 
- 4 - 
8. Judge Kautz accepts full responsibility for the conduct set forth above, 
admits that it should not have occurred and regrets and apologizes for such 
conduct.  Judge Kautz denies that she intended to violate the applicable [c]anons, 
and contends that she acted in the good faith belief that such conduct was 
appropriate.  Judge Kautz now acknowledges that her understanding of the effect 
of the foregoing actions in light of the judicial [c]anons was erroneous. 
9. Guided by the circumstances set forth above and the decisions in In re 
Maloney, 916 So. 2d 786 (Fla. 2005)[,] and In re Maxwell, 994 So. 2d 974 (Fla. 
2008), the Investigative Panel and Judge Kautz have reached an agreement on what 
both believe is appropriate discipline under the circumstances.  Consequently, the 
Investigative Panel has [] concurrently filed Findings and Recommendations of 
Discipline with the Court.  Judge Kautz does not contest the Findings and 
Recommendations and waives a plenary hearing before the Hearing Panel of the 
Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, if the Recommendations are accepted 
by the Court. 
The parties acknowledge and understand that this Stipulation and attached 
Findings and Recommendations of Discipline are subject to the review and 
approval of this Court.  The parties acknowledge and understand that this 
Stipulation and Findings and Recommendations of Discipline may be rejected by 
the Court, and in that event this matter may be returned to the Hearing Panel for a 
 
 
- 5 - 
final plenary hearing.  In such event, the parties agree that none of the statements 
in the Stipulation (or the attached Findings and Recommendations of Discipline) 
are admissible in that hearing for any purpose.  The parties further agree that none 
of the negotiations related to this Stipulation are admissible for any purpose. 
10. The parties agree that oral argument before this Court is not necessary in 
light of the record, the nature of the charges, the contents of this Stipulation, and 
the attached Findings and Recommendation of Discipline.  As previously noted, 
Judge Kautz waives her right to further hearings if they are accepted. 
 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION OF DISCIPLINE 
The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (the “JQC”) served a Notice 
of Investigation on Circuit Judge Sandy K. Kautz, Fifth Circuit, pursuant to [r]ule 
6(b) of the Florida Judicial Qualification[s] Commission Rules. 
The Investigative Panel of the Commission has now entered into a 
Stipulation with Judge Kautz in which Judge Kautz admits that her conduct, in 
appearing on behalf of her sister at her sister’s first appearance after an arrest was 
inappropriate.  This conduct violated [c]anons 1, 2A, 2B, and 5G of the Code of 
Judicial Conduct, as set forth in the Stipulation submitted herewith. 
Judge Kautz also admits that in presiding over certain types of cases 
involving juveniles and those seeking injunctions, she has, on occasion, not 
comported herself in accordance with the requisite patience, dignity and courtesy 
 
 
- 6 - 
that is expect[ed] of her judicial office.  She further admits that she did not avail 
herself of the support and assistance offered by her colleagues.  This conduct 
violated [c]anon 3B(4).   
Judge Kautz has admitted the foregoing, accepts full responsibility, and 
acknowledges that such conduct should not have occurred.  Judge Kautz now 
recognizes that this understanding was incorrect and has undertaken steps to 
prevent their reoccurrence. 
The Judicial Qualifications Commission has concluded that while the 
judge’s conduct was misguided, it was not ill intentioned.  Accordingly, the 
Commission therefore finds and recommends that in the interests of justice, the 
public welfare and sound [judicial] administration will be well served by a public 
reprimand of Judge Kautz. 
LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, POLSTON, 
and PERRY, JJ., concur. 
 
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND 
IF FILED, DETERMINED.   
 
Original Proceeding – Judicial Qualifications Commission 
 
Ricardo Morales, III, Chair, Michael Louis Schneider, General Counsel, and 
Brooke S. Kennerly, Executive Director, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
for Judicial Qualifications Commission, Petitioner 
 
James Michael Sawyer, Gainesville, Florida, 
 
 
for Judge Sandy K. Kautz, Respondent