Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 09-524 Re: Cohen

This matter is before the Court for action on the recommendation of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) that Broward County Judge Dale C. Cohen be publicly reprimanded and charged the costs of proceedings based upon findings that he violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 12, Fla. Const. For the reasons discussed in this opinion, we approve the JQC’s recommendation.

I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On February 25, 2010, the Investigative Panel of the JQC filed a Notice of Formal Charges against Judge Cohen. The charges arose out of a hearing on…