AB v. Department of Children and Family Services

SUAREZ, J. A.B., the father of A.B., seeks a Writ of Prohibition to prevent the trial judge from presiding over an action in which the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, seeks to adjudicate the child, A.B., dependent as against her father. The factual basis for the dependency action includes, in part, certain conduct by A.B., which was witnessed by the trial judge in open court prior to the filing of the dependency action. As such, A.B.’s Petition is well taken. See Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 3E(l)(a) (“A judge shall disqualify himself ... in a proceeding in which the judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including ... instances where ... the judge has ... personal knowledge of disputed evidentia-ry facts concerning the proceeding.”); Jarp v. Jarp, 919 So.2d 614 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006). This opinion shall take effect immediately notwithstanding the filing of any motion for rehearing. Petition for Writ of Prohibition granted.