Fourth DCA: No conflict when same judge orders TPR, hears TPR, and grants TPR

Says the Fourth DCA: It’s not a conflict for a judge to order DCF to file a TPR petition, and then preside over that TPR trial, and then grant that TPR. D.A. v. Department of Children & Families, 2014 WL 464151 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014) (Mem). Says me: Yes, the statute allows that, but if a goal of the justice system is to avoid the appearance of unfairness then it probably shouldn’t.