Law Offices of Herssein and Herssein, P.a. v. United Services Automobile Association…

Summary

The court held that a trial judge's Facebook friendship with an attorney appearing before the judge, without more, is not legally sufficient grounds for disqualification because such a connection does not establish an objectively reasonable fear of partiality. Applying de novo review, the court approved the denial of the writ petition and rejected a categorical rule requiring recusal based solely on Facebook friendship. Justice Pariente, dissenting, would have required recusal, while Justice Labarga concurred but urged judges to avoid Facebook participation.