Inquiry Concerning a Judge JQC No. 2025-001 Re: Woody Robert Clermont

Summary

The Supreme Court of Florida accepted the Judicial Qualifications Commission's Findings and Recommendations of Discipline, together with a joint stipulation, and imposed a public reprimand on Broward County Judge Woody Clermont for representing a friend at a first appearance proceeding after the friend's arrest for domestic violence. The Court agreed that Clermont's admissions — negotiating with the prosecuting assistant state attorney, presenting argument for a proposed bond, and offering unsubpoenaed character testimony — amply supported the conclusion that he violated Canons 1, 2A, 2B, and 5G of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which require judges to uphold the judiciary's integrity and avoid the appearance of impropriety and prohibit practicing law, voluntarily testifying as a character witness, and using the office to advance another's private interests. Noting his lack of prior disciplinary history and his remorse and cooperation, the Court ordered him to appear before it for administration of the public reprimand.