A Jacksonville judge accused of using epithets to refer to a female staff attorney and saying that blacks should “go back to Africa” could face sanctions after an investigation by a panel that polices judicial conduct.

A panel of the state Judicial Qualifications Commission found probable cause to pursue charges against Circuit Judge Mark Hulsey III for being “discourteous and condescending to staff,” of having “expressed unnecessary criticism” of staff attorneys and using “language inappropriate for your judicial office.”