Opinion ID: 1603815
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: factors affecting fitness

Text: In determining fitness to hold judicial office, this Court looks at the relevant circumstances surrounding each particular act of misconduct. Substantive violations of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct weigh heavily against a judge. In the present case, as noted above, Judge Davey violated Canons 1 and 2A. His violations were substantive and deserving of substantial discipline. In counterpoint to this misconduct, extensive testimony attesting to Davey's good character and high integrity was presented before the Commission. The Commission noted the following in its report: Judge Davey called as character witnesses Stephen C. O'Connell, former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court and former President of the University of Florida; C. DuBose Ausley, a Tallahassee attorney, former member of the Florida Ethics Commission and a member of the Board of Regents; Judge J. Lewis Hall, Jr., Circuit Judge, Second Judicial Circuit; Judge Phil Padovano, Chief Judge, Second Judicial Circuit; and offered the affidavits of Roosevelt Randolph, a member of The Florida Bar; John F. Harkness, Jr., Executive Director of The Florida Bar; and Nancy Daniels, Public Defender for the Second Judicial Circuit. Each of the four character witnesses appearing before the Commission testified that Judge Davey's reputation for truth and veracity was good. Mr. Ausley and Judge Padovano also testified that, in their opinion, Judge Davey was presently fit to serve and Judge Hall testified that, in his opinion, Judge Davey was well qualified to serve. Messrs. Randolph and Harkness, in their affidavits, stated that, in their opinion, even if the charges were true, they do not affect Judge Davey's present fitness to serve as a judge. Ms. Daniels, in her affidavit, stated that, in her opinion, the charges were too remote and that she knew of nothing that affected Judge Davey's present fitness to sit as a judge. Specific testimony before the Commission included the following:  I think Kevin's reputation is an excellent one, as an honest, capable, hard-working judge, highly ethical. He is well respected by lawyers, other judges and by those people in the community who know him.  Stephen C. O'Connell, former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.  Judge Davey I found to be a very competent judge, who was fair, honest. He ruled promptly. He was very impartial in his rulings. He worked hard. My experience is that he is well prepared, and treats all parties and all lawyers with respect and impartiality.  DuBose Ausley, former Chairman of the Florida Ethics Commission.  [Judge Davey has] a reputation for being a truthful man of integrity... . I have worked with Judge Davey, I have seen his work, I am familiar with his work. I know the time of deliberation and how he sweats over those cases... .  Judge J. Lewis Hall, Jr. In addition to this testimonial evidence of present fitness, we note the following extenuating circumstances:  Davey's misconduct was not directly related to the office of judge. The conduct did not involve clients or the courts.  The conduct in issue was remote in time. It took place nearly a decade ago. The Commission did not file charges until nine years after the conduct took place.  The misconduct took place in a highly-charged emotional atmosphere. Davey was in the midst of a bitter law firm breakup involving a great deal of animosity on both sides. The breakup generated a lockout letter and two civil lawsuits spanning many years.  The misconduct was an isolated incident. Davey's record before and after the conduct in issue is spotless. The record shows no prior complaints filed with The Florida Bar or the Commission. Nor does the record show any filed since.