Florida's judicial system was rocked this week after the state's high court recommended that a Broward County circuit judge be suspended.

According to WFTV, the Florida Supreme Court "said Judge Stefanie Moon should receive a 10-day suspension without pay" regarding allegations of reported improper political contributions, which would be more than the reprimand and a fine recommended by a lower court panel. 

The state Judicial Qualifications Commission convened last month regarding Moon's situation and concluded that she should "receive a public reprimand and pay a fine of $2,115, the amount of the political contributions."

The recommendation from the JQC came as part of a stipulation, otherwise known as an agreement, with the judge over her contributions.

What's going on?

While Moon presumably thought she was getting off with a proverbial slap on the wrist, the Florida Supreme Court has the final say in disciplining judges, and the recommendation from the JQC simply wasn't a strong enough consequence for the state's high court, leading to a rejection of the recommendation.

The JQC said at the time:

The commission believes that a public reprimand and fine will be sufficient to deter similar misconduct by the respondent (Moon) in the future and will also serve as a reminder to future candidates for judicial office that they must protect the integrity of judicial elections by refraining from inappropriate campaign activity and improper political contributions,”

The Florida Supreme Court stated that it will "approve a stipulation calling for discipline consisting of a 10-day suspension without pay, plus the public reprimand and fine already recommended by the commission."

Not surprisingly, Moon is in trouble for reportedly making several political contributions to high-level Democrats, as the outlet noted:

The commission last month filed documents at the Supreme Court that alleged Moon violated judicial canons by making political contributions, including to committees backing former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, former President Joe Biden and ActBlue, a Democratic Party fundraising arm.

The outlet also noted that the judge "was accused of reminding an attorney in court that he had not returned a phone call related to her re-election campaign and improperly contacting the therapist of a man who was a party in a case and whose mental health was an issue."

New material posted in judicial ethics case against Broward County circuit judge, JQC re: Judge Stefanie C. Moon. (Order) See the docket and filings here: https://t.co/9PY129hmS1 pic.twitter.com/U02tQwyCL6

— FloridaSupremeCourt (@flcourts) May 1, 2025

Social media reacts

Users on social media reacted to the situation, with some saying that not even a suspension is a strong enough consequence.

"Not enough by far," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "I fear very few will get their just deserts when it's all said and done."

Only time will tell what the final outcome is and how it will affect Moon's career.