Florida commission dismisses misconduct charges against Jeff Ashton after he leaves office

ORLANDO, Fla. – The state commission that governs the conduct of judges is dropping charges against former circuit court judge Jeff Ashton.

The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission announced Thursday that it was dismissing the charges because Ashton left the office in December and because he agreed to not hold another judicial office or take senior judge status.

Ashton faced formal charges in October for his alleged conduct as a judge in the Ninth Circuit Court, which handles cases in Orange and Osceola counties.

Ashton was accused of shouting at attorneys and appearing to show bias during cases, including inappropriate comments and making faces, particularly when he had a problem with the way that a party conducted itself in court.

The commission said his conduct violates several canons in the Code of Judicial Conduct regarding upholding the integrity and independence of the court, avoiding the appearance of impropriety, and avoiding the appearance of bias.

Jeff Ashton is a former prosecutor most well-known for trying Casey Anthony. He later served as Orange-Osceola state attorney before being elected as a circuit judge in 2018.

He was assigned to the domestic violence division, then the civil court division from 2021 until April of last year, when he transferred back to the domestic violence division.

Ashton lost his reelection bid in November to challenger Alicia Peyton, who is now assigned to the domestic relations division.