Opinion ID: 1798733
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: conclusion

Text: The conduct of Judge Turner as described herein brings the Judiciary into disrepute and this file will remain open and the future conduct of this Judge will be monitored by the Commission. ( In re Kelly, 238 So.2d 565, Fla. 1970). The Commission finds by the necessary vote required by the Constitution of the State of Florida and the Rules of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, that the Respondent Judge is guilty of conduct unbecoming a member of the Judiciary. The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission recommends to the Supreme Court of Florida that W. Fred Turner be publicly reprimanded. [2] Cindy's residence, a house trailer, was located in a sparsely populated area a considerable distance from the nearest neighbor. She had no telephone and had been threatened physically by her husband. There was also testimony that a witness who testified against her at a custody hearing had physically assaulted her in her home approximately two weeks prior to the Judge's visit. [3] At the time of the meeting, Ms. Sutton was unaware of the third visit and did not discover it had occurred until she talked to Cindy later in the day. Earnestly urging that there was no intent to violate any provisions of the judicial code and expressing a sincere effort to abide by the code and properly fulfill his responsibilities as a judicial officer, Judge Turner acknowledges that there is competent substantial evidence to support the commission's findings, except finding II(c). In regard to this charge he suggests that section 914.13, Florida Statutes (1979), authorizes his actions of ordering the two witnesses to be taken into custody. We disagree. That statute does not allow the arrest of two witnesses when testimony is conflicting. [] To authorize such action would create a chilling effect on any witness disagreeing with another because it could lead to one of them being detained improperly until the state attorney decides to prosecute one of them for perjury. The utilization of section 914.13 must be exercised with care to protect the innocent and only when the judge has a reason to believe the person sought to be detained actually committed perjury. The actions of Judge Turner occurred early in his judicial career. Before that, Judge Turner had been an aggressive trial lawyer. The transition from a forceful, effective advocate to an impartial, considerate judge is not an easy task and cannot always be accomplished overnight. Nevertheless, all persons becoming judges must be aware of a judge's obligations and strive to fulfill them. The duties, responsibilities, and powers entrusted to judges are awesome. Judges must necessarily have a great deal of independence in executing these powers, but such authority should never be autocratic or abusive. We judges must always be mindful that it is our responsibility to serve the public interest by promoting justice and to avoid, in official conduct, any impropriety or appearance of impropriety. We must administer our offices with due regard to the system of law itself, remembering that we are not depositories of arbitrary power, but judges under the sanction of law. Judges are expected to be temperate, attentive, patient and impartial, diligent in ascertaining facts, and prompt in the performance of a judge's duties. Common courtesy and considerate treatment of jurors, witnesses, court personnel, and lawyers are traits properly expected of judges. Court proceedings and all other judicial acts must be conducted with fitting dignity and decorum, reflecting the importance and seriousness of the inquiry to ascertain the truth. We regret that Judge Turner deviated from some of these time-honored expectations of judges. He is hereby reprimanded for his conduct. At the same time we are satisfied of his desire to properly fulfill his societal role of a judge and future derelictions are unlikely. We further trust that the publication of this opinion will act as a reminder to all judges that we have been given a unique trust and that pains must be taken to assure that we fulfill that trust. It is so ordered. ALDERMAN, C.J., and BOYD, OVERTON, McDONALD and EHRLICH, JJ., concur. ADKINS, J., concurs in result only.