Public Reprimand and Suspension of Judge Kim Shepard
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ส.ค. 2024
- Kimberly Michelle Shepard was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1990. She
worked as a certified legal intern during law school, and as an assistant state attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit from 1990 to 1992. From 1992 to 1994, Ms. Shepard served as a legislator in the Florida House of Representatives.
In 1994, Ms. Shepard received the Orlando Sentinel’s endorsement for her legislative reelection campaign. This endorsement for House District 36 was titled “Shepard, with enthusiasm” and stated, in pertinent part: "[M]s. Shepard has done well. She has kept her promises. She has worked hard. She has legislated effectively. She has maintained her integrity. She has served her constituents diligently." Ms. Shepard lost the legislative race, and went into private practice. In 2014, Ms. Shepard launched a bid and qualified for judicial office. She ran for judicial office against Norberto Katz, a child support hearing officer. Ms. Shepard knew that Mr. Katz had been previously disciplined for ethics violations because “At that time, Mr. Katz and I were engaged in litigation as opposing counsel” and she remembered when it transpired. Ms. Shepard qualified on the last day, campaigning for a very short period of time - from May 2014 through the August 14, 2014 election.
She explained that: "[I] wasn’t planning to run for Judge. I didn’t qualify for
this position until two hours before qualifying closed. And I only did so because it became apparent to me that there was not going to be a significant challenge to the gentleman who we now refer to as my former opponent.
And I, frankly, felt that if no one would challenge this gentleman and provide a significant challenge to him that he would arrive in office without the public having any real idea of what his disciplinary record is.
Ms. Shepard signed a “Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office” acknowledging that she had received, read and understood the requirements of Florida’s Code of Judicial Conduct. During the campaign, both candidates appeared for an interview before the Orlando Sentinel’s editorial board. Ms. Shepard distributed a mailer before the Orlando Sentinel issued its 2014 endorsement. Under the heading “A Life of Service,” the front of this mailer stated that “Kim Shepard has spent her entire life serving others and building a reputation for integrity, independence, honesty, diligence, service, competence and compassion…” It listed Ms. Shepard’s prior positions as a child abuse investigator, emergency medical technician, and executive director, battered women’s shelter. In the lower left corner, underneath the depiction of two children pledging allegiance, was a snippet taken from the Orlando Sentinel endorsement for Shepard’s 1994 legislative campaign. This endorsement contained a portion of the Orlando Sentinel’s masthead, titled “Shepard, with Enthusiasm.” It was dated “Election 1994,” and referenced Ms. Shepard’s prior service as a “good legislator."
On July 26, 2014, the Orlando Sentinel endorsed Mr. Katz stating:
"This race matches two veteran lawyers: Norberto Katz of Maitland, who has practiced 30 years, and Kim Shepard of Orlando, who has practiced 24. We prefer Katz, whose experience makes him better qualified to be a judge. Katz, a child-support hearing officer since 1998, was made the chief among the circuit’s hearing officers four years ago by Chief Judge Belvin Perry - a vote of confidence from the dean of judges in Central Florida. Katz also worked with Perry in developing the circuit’s truancy court, and volunteers as a special magistrate for it. Katz has shown his dedication to his profession by serving in top posts in multiple legal organizations, and to his community through leadership in cultural and charitable groups.
Shepard served two years as a prosecutor to begin her career, but says she has spent the past 22 years running a “business-focused law practice” that has largely kept her out of the courtroom. * * * We didn’t endorse Katz when he ran 12 years ago, noting that he had been suspended in 1995 for 90 days by the Florida Bar for misconduct. In the nearly two decades since his sanction, however, Katz has worked diligently to rebuild his reputation. Currently, he’s chair of the Bar’s family law section, a telltale sign he’s regained his good standing within the legal community. * * * We endorse Norberto Katz.
After the Orlando Sentinel endorsed her opponent, Ms. Shepard distributed the campaign mailer at issue. The front and back of the mailer compared Kim Shepard to her opponent in multiple categories. On the back, under the column for Kim Shepard it stated: “Ms. Shepard has done well. She has kept her promises. She has worked hard. She has maintained her integrity. -Orlando Sentinel.
She neglected to mention one thing: the quote was more than twenty years old. It was an endorsement for a different electoral race, and in the current election the Sentinel had actually endorsed her opponent over her.
Personal opinion: That was just a slap on the wrist - judges should be held to a higher (not a much lower) standard than most people. Politicians should also be held to a higher standard.
Very well said! I agree with you.
I support Capitol Punishment for any sworn government official to be found guilty of violating anyone's Civil Liberties.
Should white people be sent to prison as long as people of color are for the exact same crimes? WWJD?🇺🇸⚖✝️😷
You are 110% correct. 👍
All public officials should be held to a higher standard, particularly those that impact citizens lives such as judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement. Qualified Immunity needs to be abolished.
She SHOULD have been removed from the Bench and disbarred. She clearly demonstrated
she doesn't have the ethics to be an attorney or a judge.
The members of the Supreme Court of Florida should be reprimanded for ethics violations.
Yup. Should have been removed and disbarred. "You have zero ethics...so 90 day vacation..." Sad.
Like any judge who puts people in prison or jail for victimless crimes is ethical or moral. These people make a living on ruining people. Yeah they may try a lot of cases with actual bad guys, but they also throw people in jail and prison for victimless crimes. In my world you don't get to do evil and then balance it out with acts of good. You do evil you're evil, even if you have done some nice things in life. Look into the traits of a narcissist. These judges are all participants in an evil system that victimizes people, don't kid yourself for one second that there are good judges.
@@McCucumber There is no such thing as a "Victimless Crime". If you believe otherwise, name a couple.
Thank you, Jesus, for NOT saying should "of" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I disagree with you. She has the perfect ethics to be an attorney, a Lawyer and a Judge.
An unethical judge is suspended for 90 days? Unethical means untrustworthy and therefore no longer suitable to hold such a position.
Should be booted but thanks to Governor DeathDeSantis!
She gets suspended!
When I worked as a Gov't contractor, a willful ethics violation was cause for termination.
I do agree, but some infractions are less egregious than others, and it doesnt wipe out all the good work a person has done throughout a career. I'm not saying that is the case here. There are varying degrees of bad behavior. She did not commit an act while doing her actual job, so I think it is appropriate. I personally believe that Cops, judges, and politicians should be held to the highest of standards and punished harshly for violations of the public trust.
I hope she is watched for many years for her judicial decisions and out of court behavior. It does reflect on the institution that she belongs to.
And yet, after 3 months she will be presiding over other people's lives, when everyone knows she is duplicitous.
This needs to happen more often to crooked judges
And crooked presidents!
@@evilish888 like the one we have now.
@@connieheitz8982 what a sad comment
@@jenniferrae6646 According to you. I myself don't think that it is. I only speak the truth. We don't have leaders anymore. We have power hungry people on both sides of the aisle.
@@connieheitz8982 no like Don the Schwan's
From all the sternness of the delivery, the details of the accusation, and the supposed high requirement for judicial integrity,
that was just a slap on the wrist. I expected something much closer to disbarment. Another example of professions protecting their own.
They look after their own kind
Yeah I was expecting her to be removed as a judge and disbarred. Another example of our two tier justice system.
I agree 💯! What a cowardly pathetic excuse for “punishment”
They have to hold their backs free. Who knows when the positions could be changed.
I'm with you. I'm not the only one who got that
If we could only hold politicians accountable like this.
Amen..., and one in particular.
You can. It’s not that you don’t have power to hold them accountable, it’s just that you don’t. You have the power to recall any elected official, as long as enough voters agree. But our voters are stupid and uninformed, so we don’t hold elected officials accountable most of the time.
And judges
@BidenDiddles Kids - No, they all do wrong, but don't follow behind them like a cult member. By the way, I don't have a side because I don't slobber after politicians (legalized gang bangers). It is interesting that you know IMMEDIATELY who that "one" is. 😂🤣😂
@BidenDiddles Kids - Fair enough. I think we are on the same page. Stay safe, my friend. 😊🧡
In a fair and balanced system this “judge” would be
removed from the bench! Fancy being judged by such
a despicable individual and punished by her for some
Infraction and sentenced to a jail term!
If you ever had to defend a case in front of her, just point out her problems with ethics to get a new trial
Exactly
@@petekdemirciogluExcellent point!
"She SHOULD have been removed from the Bench and disbarred. She clearly demonstrated
she doesn't have the ethics to be an attorney or a judge."
You said ethics and attorney in the same sentence... 🤣
I know a few extremely ethical attorneys. One of them donates 25% of their billable time representing people pr Bono. He also volunteers for a workers center. Attorneys are people, most are good and some are bad.
@@mydogsioux lighten up , did you see the smiley face ??
There's never a right way to do the wrong thing
Yeah,.. you would think that wouldn't you.
I'd suggest not watching Any News for a while, ...a long while.
Especially if it's political 😬
Wise words!
Idk,
"If you're going to do something, do it right, even if what you're doing is wrong."
Hank Hill
She should have been disbarred. How can the public trust a judge who has already been proven to be untrustworthy? She lost her right to hold her position as a judge. This reprimand is not enough!
She was treated with kid gloves 😂
The standards of jurisprudence should be held higher for those who hold offices in the justice system. She has demonstrated a complete departure from ethical standards and thus has made herself incapable of judging anyone standing before her. Hypocrisy cannot be a judge!
Sad!!!
Too bad that we do not hold politicians to a higher standard as well.
90 day suspension. So harsh! This has completely restored my faith in the system.
90 days?
Lol
Did you harm any sarcasm during the making of this post?
😂😂😂😂😂😂💀💀💀💀💀💀💀
🤣😂🤣
She has no remorse…easily seen in her eyes…body language.
Congratulations, Florida!
Officials must be held to account and for the highest integrity!
Wow. A 3 month vacation. That will get back our public trust, sure.
You try going without a paycheck for 3 months.
It won't be a picnic. She will need to inform every client of her loss of license and inform them she won't be allowed to work on any cases. In the legal world it's a coffin nail.
What are these replies? She is a judge, so she doesn't need her paycheck to have money, she lives on credit. She also doesn't have clients, because again, she's a judge. In the legal world, its one of the most severe punishments they have for those in their cult. To be fair, it makes it easy for the public to remove her, without removing someone who was democratically elected.
not only that, but also ordered to pay for the court fees... I wonder how much that is!
No Jail time? WTF? She needs at least 17 months in a jail cell! They wouldn't be this easy on a physician.
Or an RN
I'll be damned, the system actually worked, this needs to happen more often.
I'll believe it when prosecutors go down instead of becoming vice president ...
Yeah, they publicly kept her in office.
Justice, corruption style.
Its not happening to the right people... And it never will.. So, the system isnt working....
This session appears to have been recorded in 2017. Shepard resigned from the bench in 2018 after SCOTUS denied certiorari.
Thanks for the info. I was wondering why they were talking about a 2014 election in 2021.
Yes, thanks. The 2017 date should be included in the description.
@@reginaschellhaas1395 An ethics violation by a TH-camr showing a judge being reprimanded for the same thing! Quis custodiet indeed.
Judges and attorneys judging other judges and attorneys Why is she not removed from the bench permanently and disbarred???.
What this judge did is the exact same thing our general media and social media does on an hourly basis. Can someone go after them?!
If they really cared they wouldn't give her a second chance! He might as well say don't get caught again.
90 days ? wow ! what about a complete "your fired" like most people would get.
When a judge ends a sentence with a preposition, she shouldn't be allowed to be a judge.
WAY too hard to hold judges (prosecutors) accountable.
So how does this go? She is suspended 90 days & is allowed to serve again with full power? Wouldn’t ever lawyer use this against her?
She got off far too light. I cannot believe that she was allowed to remain a judge. She should have been disbarred.
If she's not jailed then this hearing is worthless. And it is worthless.
She goes away and lives comfortably on her pension.
A poor person who had done the equivalent would face retirement in Jail.
This hearing is a disgrace.
“If you do that again, we will say don’t do that again. You may go now.”
So a couple of months off will magically heal her ethics and morals anemia. That is just plain magical guys. Can that also be used for diabetes and heart conditions?
The most serious offence was wearing an outfit two sizes too small. Guilty.
A public official lied during a campaign for financial gain? No shit. What else is new? Why are lobbyists not on trial for this exact same thing?
Keep in mind the only time a lawyer tells the truth is when they call another lawyer a liar.
Yep, they’re job is to defend people they know are guilty and prosecute people they know are innocent. Can’t have much ethics to do that. I bet they score high on psychopathy tests.
This is one of the problems! They let her keep her job. She should have been sent packing and never be able to practice law again. Now she just keeps doing it and tries not to get cought.
Damaged public trust? Our judicial system needs to clean itself up.
After seeing this I think ‘We The People’ should deliver our own justice!!!
What credibility would her future judgements hold after she’s behaved in such a manner?
Judges protecting other judges. My faith in the system is not restored with a 90 day vacation. The system is corrupt and/or incompetent, and must be completely rebuilt.
Not just judges (little j for effect).
Public Pensions in Total- th-cam.com/video/z0MtPqstn1o/w-d-xo.html
So she gets a 90-day unpaid vacation. Justice is so grand.
Why do the rules never apply to these upper Echelon crooks?
She gets to keep her job? what the hell?
She's STILL Judge! Why?
Wasn't this judge publicly admonished a few years ago?
Maybe this reprimand is from 20yrs ago… oh wait, TH-cam lists the date clearly with no funny business.
@@summer-west ??
Yes, this is older, 2017.
This woman thought her entitlement made her qualified to take a judicial position that requires integrity and honor.
Liberal women
ya just what you want .. a lying cheating judge trying your case..
Judge does look familiar tho there's a judge that kinda looks like her.. I forget her name but it was high profile misconduct case ..
Kate think your right and it takes way too much bad before they will kick them out. Btw when are you posting your dancing video?
No bird flies so high it doesn't come down....LUCKY LUCIANOS DAUGHTER
unless you are Joe Biden
They need to get rid of Judge Mock and Judge Randy Rich in Georgia.
This is why people are moving to Florida... We love justice !!
Florida's Judicial Qualifications Commission helped myself and several others that were wrongly arrested, strip searched, bc were were directed to the wrong courtroom by a Seminole County sheriff/bailiff.
Ultimately the Florida Supreme Court removed the not too bright judge.
Every state should implement a similar judicial investigations dept. that's serious sbout what they do.
She looks like she is really suffering from those words. It's interesting to note that politicians are held to a completely different standard. Politicians are allowed to lie without consequence.
She's only sorry she got caught. A three-month vacation will ease her pain.
Bad girl, don't do that again ... JUSTICE is dead!
She was lying Atty like all of them so why would anyone think she or any Atty would change as judge ie they only get worse
90 days is nowhere near enough. She should no longer be a judge. Do we want judges who lie?
All that work to become a judge. People just willing to risk it all.
She's still a judge. This is just a public shaming, it doesn't actually do anything.
@@Rowgue51 Not surprising. Too bad we can't put them in the stocks and throw rotten fruit and vegetables at them anymore
This is a slap on the wrist. She shows no remorse, she needs prison, not a financial fine or removal. She deserves prison.
So a corrupt judge got a spank on the hand. I'm not impressed.
Must have been very embarrassing and humiliating for her to stand there like that. nowhere to hide totally exposed . ouch
You obviously don’t know many attorneys..
"You lied to us in your job interview, you're fired, clear out you desk and security will escort you from the premises." "You lied to the public to gain a position of trust in service to your community, you are a very naughty girl, don't do it again, oh and take three months off."
Judge you should NOT have worn that white suit 🤮🤮🤮
All of her cases should be reviewed!.
Unfortunately, judges have tremendous leeway in their discretion and behavior. Less blatantly obvious wrongs committed by many judges go unaddressed.
So it was a serious serious violation why is she still a judge?
She should have reprimanded for wearing for wearing that suit.
So she is guilty!.......yet you give her a holiday for 3 month's lmfao
Did anyone ask if the Judge speaking holds a green card?
Wow that’s all 90 days suspension what a joke
Anyone in public office that is unethical and cheats the public should be in jail.
Another well publicized slap on the wrist!
The bigger question is WTF - WHY ARE JUDGES BEING ELECTED. THAT IS INSANE.
😂
Unethical behavior is a show of character. How can the public trust a judge to be fair and impartial when requesting a defended to abide by the law when the same judge does not abide by the law when breaking the law and lying itself into the position she is in.
This judge is unfit to be a judge due to lack of character.
And who knows if she is not suspended for good she may be proposed to become a Supreme Court Judge by the GOP eventually, given the GOP’s record to elect unfit judges into the highest acolytes of the system.
Justice for all
She is a piece of work.
Boy, they really let her have it, ...not!!!
Be a Liar and you can still mete out Justice from the Bench🤬
Having watched many of these, none of the complainants are remorseful. They are so full of themselves.
"The effectiveness of our Judiciary ultimately rests on the trust and confidence that the People confer upon Judges." That trust and confidence was betrayed long ago.
90 days of suspended pay big deal, she lied and still gets to keep her stolen position people now know that she is a A liar I guess this would give some comfort to those that can before her that are also liars but Honest people would fear of being judged by this woman knowing the birds of a feather flock together she would probably have more sympathy for liars and cheaters and then she went for an honest person that came before her bench.
Suspended 90 days? Why not removed from the bench?
They do nothing to punish these people , she will go somewhere else and do it again ! No justice at all !
Her future with the DNC has now been solidified. She will go far in her political career as a duly-designated representative of the democrat party. When asked what will she do now that she has a 90-day suspension to which she replied, "I'm going to Disney World!"
In Florida, where election fraud is widespread and well-documented, the punishments for elections violations should be severe. This judge was embarrassed and that's better than nothing, but Florida needs to make examples of people like her.
Your evidence of widespread & well-documented election fraud in Florida is what, exactly?
@@lindaj5492 Here is an example from beloved Broward County www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-who-is-brenda-snipes-20181109-story.html
IMO> How does it feel to be finally held accountable for being a tyrant judge? One who makes up her own rules, regardless to the Oath she took on how to follow the laws. Then we wonder why judges allow cops to LIE as part of their duties?
That is a cops right...they are allowed to lie.legally
We're not...
Just like this judge...she gets 90 vacation days......no work....Hawaii maybe?
Two tier justice anyone...
90 days without pay????? Absurd and laughable punishment which in reality causes public to have even greater distrust of the judiciary.
Nice slap on the wrist. No disbarment, no jail time, nothing of actual punishment. Meanwhile some unemployed black guy get's caught with a joint and gets hard 20 to life. Another example of american "justice". A shining beacon to the world.
It looks like she hasn't missed any meals.
RUDE
Such a show when the whole system is broken where criminals have more rights than their victims.
It's good that she had to pay for the proceedings.
Rolling my eyes.
In all fairness I think the public humiliation and suspension was just. She didnt commit a crime. She embellished the truth to win public opinion which is unethical but still not criminal. This doesnt mean she is unqualified for the job. I wouldn't vote for her but I still wouldn't want to see her life ruined because she used a quote out of place and time.
She used deception plain and simple. Get away with it, then everybody feels like they lose some competitive edge by not at least cheating as much as the next person. Your paying her $140k a year to do one thing, her job, and do it honestly. Why should she get a dishonestly allowance while we pay her to focus on building her career while blowing smoke to our ass. And very stupid too stealing an endorsement. News outlets treat that like cash and she was just gonna “borrow” it. Crooked and dumb, and unremorseful
@@summer-west that's a fair point. Sometimes people do learn their lesson though. That's why these people only get 2 strikes. The second offense is disbarment.
Wow, this seems odd! We get used to politicians blatant and frequent bald-faced lies during campaigns, to imagine any of them ever being called to account for their behavior.
This happens regularly in Florida.
@@zenodotusofathens2122 I would like to witness corrupt judges being called out publicly.
@@wish1012 Most of them are treated lightly. They mete out punishment harshly sentencing people for decades in prison. They expect you to appear before them with respect and following high standards. Yet they often fail.
That’s all we’ll ever do. Imagine. Lol
She Got off Easy. She should have dis-barred in disgrace
Somebody needs to inform Thomas about ethics. The judicial conduct & ethics codes with its sanctions should apply to ALL judges and justices including those on the Supreme Court.
The way that judge was going on about her, I thought eventually he'd make a comment about "thick women" wearing tight clothes
🙄🤡
Now do Trump
90 days is WAY too generous. She refused to acknowledge her wrongdoing, and that warrants a harsher punishment.
If only EVERY politician was held to this standard.
Let me guess, she is a Democrat!
In Florida judges do not run based on political party....in other words they are prohibited from doing so
🙄🤡
She held public office as a DEMOCRAT.
@@UK1uno This may be but when you run for judge in Florida you do not run on a Republican or Democrat ticked. Judicial races in Florida are nonpartisan.
@@zenodotusofathens2122 WTF ... I know that. She's still a Democrat.
I think she's a moderate Democrat
It sound it like she’s was a lying ass republican.
@@hamandeggs11 ya never know
I love it. Energy state should do this.
The legislature needs to impeach her.