Liberty County judge faces discipline after improper discussion

A North Florida judge could face a 30-day suspension and a public reprimand because of an improper discussion with a prosecutor after a court hearing held on Zoom, according to documents filed Wednesday at the Florida Supreme Court.

An investigative panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission recommended disciplinary action against Liberty County Judge Kenneth Hosford because of the June 15 discussion with an assistant state attorney. The panel's findings said Hosford asked the assistant state attorney to stay on Zoom after the hearing and addressed “concerns over the prosecutor's decision to decline to file charges in a theft case where Judge Hosford had, just the day before, personally approved an arrest warrant for the accused. During the Zoom meeting, while addressing his displeasure with the way the prosecutor had declined to prosecute the case, Judge Hosford also admits to having provided investigative advice to the detective investigating the crime, including suggesting to the detective that he might get a search warrant to obtain more evidence of the crime.”

The findings said Hosford also “made other comments clearly evincing a bias in favor of law enforcement.” One of the documents filed Wednesday, known as a stipulation, said Hosford acknowledged his conduct was inappropriate and that it violated canons of judicial conduct. The investigative panel and Hosford agreed that he should receive a 30-day suspension without pay and a reprimand and recuse himself from criminal matters for three months, according to the documents. The Supreme Court has ultimate authority to decide discipline for judges.