Suspend judge for 90 days and fine her $20K for conduct in DUI case, panel tells top state court
Will the second time be the charm? After seeing an earlier settlement of a disciplinary case involving a Florida judge nixed by the state supreme court, the state’s Judicial Qualifications Commission has tried again.
This time, it is calling for a 90-day suspension plus a $20,000 penalty for Broward Circuit Judge Cynthia Imperato, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. In addition to a jury conviction for driving under the influence, she refused a breath test and showed a judicial badge to an officer when asked for identification.
Earlier, the supreme court rejected a settlement calling for a 20-day suspension that would have run concurrently with Imperato’s sentence in a criminal driving-under-the-influence case.
Two other judges in Broward County who were accused of driving under the influence around the same time as Imperato have resigned, the newspaper notes.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “3rd county judge charged in DUI case goes to trial, after nixing plea deal”
ABAJournal.com: “Judge who flashed badge at police officer claims selective DUI prosecution, but jury convicts her”
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Top state court nixes judge’s unpaid 90-day suspension, wants more info about other possible issues”
