Polk County Judge John Flynn could face suspension

UPDATE:

An investigative panel of the state Judicial Qualifications Commission found evidence that Flynn violated five canons of The Florida Supreme Court’s Code of Judicial Conduct during the campaign. The panel determined that in multiple cases Flynn made inappropriate statements suggesting a bias toward law-enforcement agencies or against people accused of crimes.

Flynn acknowledged the violations and signed an agreement that would bring a 30-day suspension without pay, as well as a public reprimand.

. . . . .

A Polk County judge could face a 30-day suspension and a public reprimand after an investigation into comments he made during his 2022 election campaign, according to documents filed Tuesday at the Florida Supreme Court.

An investigative panel of the state Judicial Qualifications Commission said in findings that Judge John Flynn “made comments on social media and used advertisements containing statements evincing an inappropriate bias in favor of law enforcement agencies or against people accused of crimes.

Specifically, the commission finds clear and convincing evidence that Judge Flynn’s campaign made repeated use of words and phrases signaling his support for law enforcement agencies in a way that could cast doubt on his impartiality.”

One of the documents, known as a stipulation, said Flynn “admitted that his conduct was inappropriate and violated” judicial canons.

The stipulation said Flynn and the investigative panel reached an agreement that would lead to him receiving a 30-day suspension without pay and a reprimand from the Supreme Court.

But the Supreme Court has final say on imposing discipline against judges.