Kenneth Hosford Removed

Liberty County Judge Kenneth Hosford held a private, 27-minute conversation with an assistant state attorney in which he expressed his displeasure that the prosecutor had declined to pursue a particular case -- then, separately, admitted he had personally advised the detective investigating that same case on how to build it further, including suggesting the detective seek a search warrant for additional evidence. Florida's Judicial Qualifications Commission found the conversation reflected bias toward law enforcement and improper involvement in a pending case outside the courtroom. Hosford admitted the wrongdoing and initially agreed to a public reprimand, a 30-day unpaid suspension, and a three-month recusal from criminal cases. Rather than complete that discipline, Hosford resigned from the bench effective February 29, 2024, and agreed as part of his departure never to serve as a senior judge or hold any future judicial position in Florida.