Title: In Re Trettis
Citation: 577 So. 2d 1312
Docket Number: 77431
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: April 11, 1991

577 So. 2d 1312 (1991)
In re Inquiry Concerning a Judge No. 89-62, re: TRETTIS, Thomas T.
No. 77431.

Supreme Court of Florida.
April 11, 1991.
J. Klein Wigginton, Chairman and Roy T. Rhodes, Gen. Counsel, Tallahassee, and Marvin E. Barkin, Richard W. Candelora and Craig P. Clendinen of Trenam, Simmons, Kemker, Scharf, Barkin, Frye &amp; O'Neill, P.A., Tampa, Sp. Counsel to The Florida Judicial Qualifications Comm'n, for petitioner.
Richard T. Earle, Jr. of Earle &amp; Earle, St. Petersburg, for respondent.
PER CURIAM.
In this disciplinary proceeding the Judicial Qualifications Commission and Judge Thomas T. Trettis present the following stipulation, findings, and recommendations to this Court for review. Art. V, § 12, Fla. Const.
The Commission recommends that Judge Thomas T. Trettis be publicly reprimanded for his conduct specified therein.
This Court is greatly troubled by the conduct of Judge Trettis. For the court system to properly fulfill its role in today's society, it is absolutely essential to maintain public confidence in the dignity, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary. When a judge continuously acts in a manner to undermine this confidence, drastic remedial action, including removal from the bench, is required. While the conduct of Judge Trettis is not as severe or as chronic *1314 as that which existed in In Re Crowell, 379 So. 2d 107 (Fla. 1979), wherein we removed Judge Crowell from the bench, his course of conduct, prior to its being modified, was headed in that direction.
Because of the provisions of paragraphs 7, 8, and 9 of the stipulation, we approve the recommendation. Should the conduct of Judge Trettis relapse and continue in the manner related in the original complaint, we request the Judicial Qualifications Commission to file a supplemental proceeding for further review. As a condition of the reprimand, Judge Trettis is directed to comply with his agreement as set forth in paragraph 9 of the stipulation.
We therefore approve the recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission and, for the matters described in the stipulation, publicly reprimand Judge Thomas T. Trettis.
It is so ordered.
SHAW, C.J., and OVERTON, McDONALD, BARKETT, GRIMES, KOGAN and HARDING, JJ., concur.