Judge Woody Clermont faces discipline for judicial misconduct

Florida Supreme Court Opinions

Filed March 12th, 2026

Detected March 28th, 2026

Summary

The Florida Supreme Court has accepted the Judicial Qualifications Commission's recommendation to impose a public reprimand on Broward County Judge Woody Clermont. The discipline stems from his admitted violation of judicial conduct canons by representing a friend in a criminal case, including negotiating with the prosecutor and offering character testimony.

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What changed

The Florida Supreme Court has issued an opinion accepting the findings and recommendations of the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) regarding Broward County Judge Woody Clermont. Judge Clermont admitted to violating Canons 1, 2A, 2B, and 5G of the Code of Judicial Conduct by representing a friend in a criminal proceeding. This representation included negotiating with the prosecutor, presenting arguments for bond, and offering character testimony, actions that constitute practicing law and potentially advancing private interests.

The Court has ordered a public reprimand for Judge Clermont, noting his lack of prior disciplinary history and his remorse. This action serves as a binding disciplinary measure for judicial misconduct. Compliance officers in judicial or legal sectors should note the strict prohibition against judges engaging in the practice of law or appearing to use their office for personal gain, even for friends, and the importance of upholding judicial integrity and avoiding the appearance of impropriety.

What to do next

Judge Clermont to appear for public reprimand as ordered by the Court.

Penalties

Public reprimand

Source document (simplified)

Supreme Court of Florida

____________ No. SC2025-1319 ____________

INQUIRY CONCERNING A JUDGE JQC NO. 2025-398 RE: WOODY ROBERT CLERMONT.

March 12, 2026 PER CURIAM. Before the Court are the Judicial Qualifications Commission’s Findings and Recommendations of Discipline and an accompanying joint stipulation to resolve charges against Broward County Judge Woody Clermont. As explained below, the Court accepts the findings and will impose the recommended discipline. See art. V, § 12(c)(1), Fla. Const. (authorizing the Court to accept, reject, or modify the Commission’s recommendations and to order appropriate discipline). Judge Clermont admits that, on April 11, 2025, he represented a friend at a first appearance proceeding in Broward County after the friend’s arrest for domestic violence. Judge Clermont negotiated with the assistant state attorney prosecuting

the case, presented argument to the court in favor of a proposed bond, and offered unsubpoenaed character testimony on behalf of the friend. The presiding judge and the assistant state attorney knew of Clermont’s judicial status, but the Commission found no evidence that it affected the other officials’ handling of the case. The Commission concluded, and Judge Clermont agrees, that Clermont’s actions violated Canons 1, 2A, 2B, and 5G of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Those canons require judges to uphold the integrity of the judiciary and to avoid the appearance of impropriety, and they prohibit judges from using their office to advance the private interests of another, from voluntarily testifying as a character witness, and from practicing law. We agree that Judge Clermont’s factual admissions amply support the Commission’s legal conclusions. The Commission and Judge Clermont have asked this Court to impose a public reprimand as discipline. The Commission notes that Judge Clermont has no prior disciplinary history and that he has been remorseful and cooperative throughout these proceedings. We accept the Commission’s recommendation. Therefore, we order Judge Clermont to appear before this Court for the administration

of a public reprimand at a time to be established by the Clerk of this Court. It is so ordered. MUÑIZ, C.J., and LABARGA, COURIEL, GROSSHANS, FRANCIS, SASSO, and TANENBAUM, JJ., concur. NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION AND, IF FILED, DETERMINED. Original Proceeding – Judicial Qualifications Commission Gregory W. Coleman, Chair, and Hugh R. Brown, Assistant General Counsel, Tallahassee, Florida, for Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, Petitioner Scott K. Tozian, Tampa, Florida, for Judge Woody Clermont, Respondent