Judge to face discipline

Hearing follows acts of misconduct

Not often do you see a judge on trial. But at a hearing Wednesday, Dana Santino will be in the spotlight over her admitted campaign misconduct last year.

The 49-year-old judge says she’s “deeply remorseful” for committing one of the biggest sins of someone running for judge— making derogatory remarks about her opponent that could call her impartiality into question.

She repeatedly criticized him for being a defense attorney and choosing to represent “murderers, rapists, pedophiles.”

While other races for public officemay get downright nasty, contests for judicial posts are to remain civil.

Santino is trying to avoid the ultimate punishment – removal fromthe bench. So she’s willing to be hit with severe sanctions.

She suggests paying a $50,000 fine, enduring the humiliation of a public reprimand from the Florida Supreme Court, and covering the costs for the disciplinary proceedings.

Anything black robes. to keep those

In court documents filed July 24, Santino’s lawyerwrote his client “acknowledges she made significant mistakes.”

Yet Jeremy Kroll argues when looking at the big picture, Santino’s misconduct does notwarrant her removal.

Kroll contends, “in the context of a heated campaign, in light of Judge Santino’s otherwise pristine history and character, and in light of her acceptrequired