Florida Justices Remove Judge Who Hugged, Kissed Subordinate

An Orange-Osceola circuit judge, accused of inappropriate behavior withfemale co-workers, has been removed from office by the Florida Supreme Court.

The states top court on Friday announced its approval of the recommendation of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission to remove N.James Turner from his seat on the 9th Judicial Circuit for violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct.

Because Judge Turner gained his office partially through illegal means and committed serious violations of the judicial canons upon assuming his role as a judge, we determine that he has engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of Floridas judiciary and is unfit to perform the duties of his office, the justices ruled.

Turner was suspended without pay in September from the $142,178-a-year elected position.

He had initially faced 13 counts of judicial misconduct; some related to his successful 2008 campaign for office and others for his conduct in office. He was found guilty by a panel in six cases.

Among the counts:

-- He failed to report a $30,000 loan well above the $500 limit -- for his campaign that he solicited from his mother.

-- Served as legal counsel for his mother after taking the bench. Judges are prohibited from practicing law or advocating for family members in legal matters.

-- Was charged with hugging, kissing and massaging a subordinate female and attempted to force himself in to the personal lives of other female subordinates.

-- He took a fake diamond earring from a juvenile defendant unable to pay court costs.

Turner was banned by Chief Judge Belvin Perry from hearing cases in April 2010.

During hearings in September before the Supreme Court, Turners attorney claimed his client had minor personal flaws and had undergone mental-health counseling. Turner sought a fine as punishment.

Justice R. Fred Lewis recused himself from the ruling.

Chief Justice Charles Canady and Justice Ricky Polston supported the majority opinion to remove Turner, but disagreed with the commissions charge that Turner personally solicited campaign contributions.

The majority declared there was no need to consider Turners argument that the ban on soliciting money by judges violates the First Amendment right of free speech. Canady and Polston argued the court should have rejected the charge.