Florida

Panel Recommends Removal of Broward Judge

A hearing panel from the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission recommended the removal of Broward County Circuit Judge Gisele Pollack after finding that she is “presently unfit to remain on the bench" due to problems with alcohol.

“The Hearing Panel believes the Judge Pollack is, in fact, committed to recovery,” the panel wrote. “Judge Pollack’s actions in taking the bench March 19, 2014, while impaired by alcohol, checking herself out of treatment, involvement in a DUIC accident on May 1, 2014, and ensuing May 2, 2014 arrest, violated an existing FLA (Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc.) contract.”

The panel said Pollack violated multiple provisions of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct starting when she took the bench while under the influence of alcohol on December 17, 2013. The panel said she agreed not to drink and signed a stipulation which gave her the chance to remain on the bench as long as she complied with the conditions set forth by an Investigative Panel.

The panel said Pollack then took the bench again intoxicated just days after multiple lawyers were put in place to ensure her compliance with the program. Then on May 1, the panel said Pollack left her treatment facility and was arrested for DUI after causing an accident.

“Judge Pollack’s further action of driving under the influence ‘not only violated Florida’s criminal law but also endangered the public,’ thereby undermining public confidence in judicial integrity,” the panel wrote in its decision.

The panel said that Pollack’s “past actions simply pose an unacceptable future risk. Her energy is now best utilized if focused on her sobriety, her good health, and her recovery.”

The Florida Supreme Court will make a final decision on Judge Pollack.

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