Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 98-347, re Schwartz

The Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) recommends that we publicly reprimand Judge Alan R. Schwartz, Chief Judge of the Third District Court of Appeal, for exhibiting intemperate and discourteous behavior during oral argument in two appellate proceedings. We have jurisdiction. See Art. V, § 12, Fla. Const. As explained in more detail below, based on the stipulated facts, the JQC’s recommendation is approved.

On April 26, 1999, the'JQC filed in this Court a notice of formal proceedings against Judge Schwartz, setting forth in pertinent part the following:

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

Despite…