Bloomberg Law
Nov. 15, 2018, 5:49 PM UTC

Facebook Friendship Alone Can’t Disqualify Florida Judge

Jennifer Bennett
Associate Legal Editor

A Florida trial judge’s Facebook friendship with opposing counsel isn’t enough by itself to disqualify the judge from hearing a case.

Florida-based Law Offices of Herssein and Herssein P.A. can’t get a trial judge disqualified solely because the judge is Facebook “friends” with a potential party’s lawyer, the Florida Supreme Court said Nov. 15 in a divided opinion. It’s an issue that has divided the Florida appellate courts.

Disqualification is appropriate where Florida litigants fear they won’t get a fair trial because of judicial prejudice, the court said. Motions are legally sufficient when the facts alleged, if true, would make ...

Learn more about Bloomberg Law or Log In to keep reading:

Learn About Bloomberg Law

AI-powered legal analytics, workflow tools and premium legal & business news.

Already a subscriber?

Log in to keep reading or access research tools.