Forums work to keep judicial candidates on the right path.

Today's bitterly partisan political atmosphere, a fog of social media distortion and dark money, can be a dangerous place for judicial candidates.

Declare a party affiliation, embellish a resume, distort an opponent's record, or let a campaign manager do any of those things, and the result could be disbarment, suspension, crushing fines, and a televised dressing down in front of the Florida Supreme Court.

That's the message more than a dozen attorneys and incumbents received last week at a Judicial Campaign Conduct Forum at the Leon County Courthouse in Tallahassee.

In his welcoming remarks, Second Circuit Chief Judge Jonathan Sjostrom (Surestrum) set the tone by asking the candidates to "sit together as colleagues," in an enclosed jury box.

Judicial races should resemble a trial, not most elections, Sjostrom said.

"Sort of like when you try a hard case against one of your professional opponents, the hope is that when that case is over, the relationship remains a sound, professional relationship," Sjostrom said. "And if we're doing our judicial campaigns right, that's the way it should be."

Sponsored by the Supreme Court and The Florida Bar Board of Governors, the forums are held every election year across the state with support of the state's trial court chief judges and the court's Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee.

Candidates are handed an outline of "The Aid to Understanding Cannon 7: Guidelines to Assist Judicial Candidates in Campaign and Political Activities." At 138 pages, it's too bulky to print, and candidates are advised to study the full text online.

The guidelines and forums should inoculate candidates against the hazards of violating the canons, Sjostrom said. Winners will learn soon enough that campaigns are just the first test, he said.

"If you become a judge, I can guarantee you that you will have to make decisions where you will wonder if because of this decision, I will not be able to be reelected," he said. "You have to answer that question the right way, or you are unfit to serve--and the first test of that commitment is your campaign."

Melissa VanSickle, a member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors, reminded candidates that Bar ethics rules are also in play. Rule 4-8.4, for example, bars lawyers from engaging in "conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. "

"I can only imagine what it must be like in your position, running for office, particularly in our political climate today," she said...