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Background: The Supreme Court of Florida building (Google Maps). Inset: Judge Jennifer “Jenn” Dubbeld in August 2025 when she was sworn in to serve on the Florida 6th Circuit Court (Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida).
A judge in Florida has conceded to breaching judicial ethics, notably by suggesting she had the backing of state leaders during her election campaign.
Judge Jennifer “Jenn” Dubbeld of Florida’s 6th Circuit Court has admitted that her actions during her 2024 judicial campaign did not meet the stringent standards set by the Code of Judicial Conduct. This admission comes from a seven-page document from the state Supreme Court outlining findings and recommended disciplinary actions. These charges were filed after an investigation conducted by the Investigative Panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission.
According to the report, Judge Dubbeld’s campaign prominently featured photographs and endorsements from other candidates in the 2024 election cycle, including those with active opposition like U.S. Representative Laurel Lee and U.S. Representative Gus Bilirakis. Her campaign was also found to have displayed images on its website and Facebook page of public officials and attorneys who had not given their endorsements, thereby suggesting their support.
Importantly, these images lacked a disclaimer clarifying that the individuals pictured had not necessarily endorsed Judge Dubbeld. This absence of clarification could have misled voters into believing that these officials supported her campaign, as per the charges.
Additionally, Dubbeld faces accusations of distributing flyers soliciting campaign donations. These flyers reportedly included a QR code that directed to a campaign account for contributions. The judge has acknowledged that the text and QR code on these handouts, which she personally distributed, could give the impression that she was directly soliciting financial support.
Furthermore, the Florida 6th Circuit Court judge was accused of “disparaging her opponent” in social media posts wherein she stated, “Actual courtroom experience matters, just as being straightforward and not misrepresenting qualifications (as some have done).” The investigation found that she violated four different canons of the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct.
Dubbeld’s actions did not just run the risk of confusing citizens but also “raised an appearance of impropriety, and reflected poorly on judicial independence,” the filing claims.
Following Dubbeld’s victory in November 2024, a “Notice of Investigation” was announced the following June. A hearing was then held before the investigative commission on Sept. 5, 2025, leading to a notice of formal charges and the findings and recommendation of discipline.
Investigators did acknowledge that Dubbeld “admitted to her misconduct and has cooperated with the Commission in all respects during this inquiry.” Moreover, “[s]he has remorse that her conduct could have misled the public or reflected poorly on judicial independence.”
“She hopes to rectify this,” the commission states, “in part, by taking responsibility for her misconduct” and accepting a punishment of a public reprimand and 20-day suspension and “ensuring that any potential future campaigns do not commit misconduct.”
As circuit court judges serve six-year terms, Dubbeld is set to remain in her seat until 2031.