JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL RICHARD E GERSTEIN JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG. THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO JUSTICE BUILDING RUMOR, HUMOR, AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT AND BETWEEN THE JUDGES, LAWYERS AND THE DEDICATED SUPPORT STAFF, CLERKS, COURT REPORTERS, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO LABOR IN THE WORLD OF MIAMI'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE. POST YOUR COMMENTS, OR SEND RUMPOLE A PRIVATE EMAIL AT HOWARDROARK21@GMAIL.COM. Winner of the prestigious Cushing Left Anterior Descending Artery Award.

Friday, May 12, 2006

FRIDAY HEADLINES

HERE ARE THE REGJB FRIDAY HEADLINES


SLOM SAD,
MILLS-FRANCIS MAD,
GLAZER POSSIBLE OPPONENTS DIDN’T “FAZE-HER”

AND… POSSIBLY ONE OF THE BEST POLITICAL MOVES YET. GENIUS.

Before we get to the Captain’s noon-time political update, we just can’t let this political move go by without comment.

He’s sneaky. He’s sly. He’s shifty. He’s got political moxie.

The type of lawyer who goes to trial just to win on venue.
The type of Judge who gets on NPR by ordering defendants to listen to opera in his chambers.

Who are we speaking of?
Why none other than Former County Court Judge, and possible Circuit Court Judge JEFFREY SWARTZ.

GIVE THE MAN HIS DUE.

Jeffrey Swartz, formerly of the bench, until pounded by Pozo in the last election, clearly had his nose in the air, his ears open, his finger wet, testing the political winds . Constantly sniffing and searching for any way to claw back in to the warm bosom of his judicial buddies, Jeff Swartz may well have outsmarted them all!

Here’s the play: Current Judge Israel “Izzy” Reyes, clearly a favorite of Jeb and the gang, is currently up for re-election. Judge Reyes also just made it to Jeb’s desk for an appointment to the Third DCA where he can join the Rothenberg Crew’s war on the fourth amendment and the commie pinko liberals who file appeals for criminals.

Anyway, by filing against Judge Reyes, who otherwise was thought to have a secure seat, Jeff Swartz essentially placed a $7,000.00 bet that Judge Reyes would be appointed to the Third DCA. Because if Judge Reyes gets the appointment, JEFF SWARTZ GETS A CIRCUIT JUDGE SLOT WITHOUT HAVING TO CAMPAIGN. IT’S A GUARANTEED WIN!!!

If Reyes doesn’t get the appointment, Swartz can save the hundreds of thousands of dollars and withdraw from the campaign.

In our humble eyes, it was a BRILLIANT MOVE.

NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS THE WINNER OF THE BEST POLITICAL MOVE IN DADE COUNTY JUDICIAL RACES THIS YEAR, IS SMART AND TRICKY JEFFREY SWARTZ. TAKE A BOW. YOU’VE EARNED IT.

NOW FOR THE CAPTAIN:


TARGET #3:Circuit Court Group 65

Incumbent Judge Israel Reyes has a challenger. He is none other than former County Court Judge Jeffrey Swartz. Reyes has had a quick rise to power. He was a cop for five years before going to law school at Nova. He was an ASA from 1998-2002 when Gov Jeb appointed him to the County Court bench on March 26, 2002. 18 months later, Bush came calling again, this time appointing him to the Circuit Court. Is he soon headed to the 3rd DCA??? Swartz (that is the way he spells it) was a County Court Judge until 2004 when Ada Pozo Revilla convinced the voters of Dade County to vote looks over age by a margin of 121,595 to 110,445.
Many remember Judge Swartz as the one who would offer those charged with a Miami Beach excessive noise violation the choice of a $500 fine or listening to the opera La Traviata for 2 1/2 hours.

TARGET #4:County Court Group 4:
IT'S THE ST. THOMAS LAW SCHOOL MANO Y MANO
Where Administrative Judge Sam Slom drew an opponent in Cecilia Armenteros-Chavez.

Slom, a 1987 graduate of the charter class of St. Thomas Law School, is the Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division in County Court. He has been a Judge since 1996 ans was formerly an ASA.Cecilia Armenteros (as she is listed with The Florida Bar and as she practices in her law firm; we do not know why she added the name Chavez to the end), is a 1993 graduate of St. Thomas Law School. She has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1994 and practices family law as an associate with the law firm of Buckner & Shifrin in Miami.

TARGET #4:County Court Group 11:

As predicted by The Captain, Judge Karen Mills-Francis will be running for Judge this summer against candidate Stephen Millan.Francis, a UF law school grad and former PD has been a County Court Judge since 2001.Millan, was formerly a candidate in Group 30, but when that seat suddenly disappeared with the appointment of Judge Silver to the Circuit Court, Millan made the move to Group 11. The other candidate for the Group 30 seat, Robert Twombley, dropped out completely, just as I predicted. CAPTAIN OUT ............


Rumpole notes that the challenge to Mills Francis is somewhat surprising in that she trounced a well respected male Judge six years, even during some negative publicity by the Herald during the week of the campaign. Having beaten a male incumbent despite the Herald. What makes Milan think he can beat a female incumbent with no negative publicity?

HEY JUDICIAL CANDIDATES. WANT A COVETED RUMPOLE ENDORSEMENT?

SEND US YOUR PRIVATE EMAIL AND ANSWER OUR LITTLE QUESTIONAIRE, AND YOU MIGHT JUST GET A RUMPOLE ENDORSEMENT FOR JUDGE.

WHAT CAN IT HURT? HAVE A LITTLE FUN. SHOW THE ELECTORATE YOU HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR. EVEN CLINTON ANSWERED ABOUT BOXERS vs. BRIEFS.


See You In Court.

172 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the vote of confidence. I am humbled by the support and friendship you all have given me throughout the years.

David Young

Anonymous said...

david your not sick are you?

Anonymous said...

give us our money back. that goes for all of you.

Anonymous said...

yeah - ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW - I NEED TO GIVE IT TO KMF, SAMMY, AND BRONWYN NOT DAVID MILLER

Anonymous said...

YES, GIVE IT TO THEM!!!

Anonymous said...

BRONWYN BRONWYN BRONWYN

Rumpole said...

Will the lawyer or lawyers who are posting under the names of old wrestlers please stop it! (we hod to google the names to figure it out). Just pick one fake name, or use anonymous, or join the "not afraid to sign my name club." Heed our warning or its the sleeper hold for you!!

By the way folks, Rumpole has managed to go almost 24 hours without making a wrong or false accusation.

Anonymous said...

Rumpole - as a fellow contributor, would you please post something asking all the judges without opposition to send our money back - sometimes they get no opposition and the money never appears. I think any judge who does not get opposition, hence, buys 6 years of $130,000, should pay the filing fee and other shakedown consultant costs out of their own pocket and send us back our full contribution.

Anonymous said...

I am looking forward to seeing the Captain, The Riddler, The Rumpster and the rest of the cast at the FACDL Dinner tomorrow night.

Thanks Captain, Riddler and Rump for the time you put into the blog

Anonymous said...

hey capt...can you tell us anything about the other contested races in county court? just want to know who the best candidates are.

Anonymous said...

Judge Slom was not the only person taken aback and by surprise by Ms. Armenteros' opposition. She gave no advance notice to her law firm of her action and the lawyers she works for only learned about it from phone calls after she filed. Talk about leaving your employers in a bad situation!!!!

Anonymous said...

Why are they in a bad situation? Did she resign? Did she not give notice? Don't you know anyone who looked for a new job while they still had one? Usually you don't tell your boss.

Anonymous said...

4:04:09 PM: We know you were a cheerleader Kimberly.

Anonymous said...

why should she have told anyone before hand? they would have talked.

Anonymous said...

Slom is the best guy around, she fucked up in her decision.

Anonymous said...

Here is the County contested stuff:

Group 1
McWhorter (Not friendly)
Marino-Pedraza (Real friendly)

Group 3
Cecilia Armenteros-Chavez (Who?)
Slom (too many meetings with prosecutors gets you opposition)

Groub 4
Robin Faber (Real good PD)
Ivan Herandez (Real good guy)

Group 9
Victoria Del Pino (who?)
Joesl Jacobi (Who?)

Group 10
Sair Teichman Addicott (Who?)
Ana Pando (Loved by defense attorneys)

Group 11
Mill-Francis (Crazy and late daily)
Steve Millan (Nice guy)

Group 12
Leifman (Way, way too much help for the Gov't and screwed way too many defense lawyers... you have this coming steve...)
Juan Gonzalez (Fair to average traffic magistrate)

Group 14
Gloria GOnzalez Meyer (Who?)
Mike Samuels (Beat Emas years ago saying he represented "bad guys"... WHat a schumck).

Group 27 Migna Sanchez Llorins (Who?)
Shelly Schwartz (Nut job in country club clothes)

Group 39
Brwnwyn Miller (Not known by many)
George Alvarez (Who?)

Group 40
Don Cohn (Here we go again)
Bonny Rippingale (Bad hair gets you an opponent)

In with no opposition:

Mary Jo Francis (Jumped off the Tallahoochee bridge in a song)

Luise K Martin (Dad will see to it no opponent survives the election)

Shelly Kravitz (Lived near Samantha in Bewitched)

Deb WHite-Labora (Too many last names)

Andy Hague (Pronounced Hagueeee in Spanish)

Linda Stein (Nice lady)

Darrin Gayles (Nice guy)

Caty Pooler (Possibly one of the best judges in Dade EVERY)

Myrian Lehr (OK lady)

T Lundy Thomas (Class act)

Larry King (Run against him and his dad will put you in Federal Prison)

Anonymous said...

Just when we thought we finally got rid of Jeffrey Swartz... he may weisel his way back in.

I hope the Gov does NOT appt. Izzy just to keep Jeffrey out of a robe.

Anonymous said...

Here is the final list:


Circuit: 011 Group: 008
Miller , David C. (NOP)
(Finest prosecutor to ever wear a robe)

Circuit: 011 Group: 014
Lederman , Cindy S. (NOP)
(Like a dictator.. no one runs against the queen)

Circuit: 011 Group: 015
Langer , Lester (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 020
Young , David H. (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 022
Cardonne Ely , Gisela (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 024
Glazer , Mindy S. (NOP)

CONTESTED RACE:
Circuit: 011 Group: 025
Murphy , Dennis J. (NOP)

Velis , Josie Perez (NOP)


Circuit: 011 Group: 029
Echarte Jr., Pedro P. (NOP)

CONTESTED RACE:
Circuit: 011 Group: 031
Enriquez , Carlos A. (NOP)

Korvick , Maria M. (NOP)


CONTESTED RACE:
Circuit: 011 Group: 042
Mendez , Gina (NOP) (Here we go again...)

Schwartz , Lawrence A. (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 043
Venzer , Ellen Sue (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 047
Rothenberg , Arthur (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 048
Lando , Maxine Cohen (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 049
Leban , Mark King (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 056
Dennis , Maria Espinosa (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 059
Pereyra-Shuminer , Cristina (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 060
Gross , Maynard 'Skip' (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 061
Leesfield , Ellen L. (NOP)

MOST INTERESTING RACE: Super good judge (Reyes) gets opposition from total moron former judge...)
Circuit: 011 Group: 065
Reyes , Israel U. (NOP)

Swartz , Jeffrey D. (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 066
Brown , Joel H. (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 067
Platzer , Victoria (NOP)

Circuit: 011 Group: 068
Blake , Stan (NOP)

Anonymous said...

Jeff swartz filed against izzy and will withdraw if izzy gets the 3rd DCA seat?

shows he is desperate for a robe, and knows he can't win any other way

cheap

Anonymous said...

why do you care? i tried a jury trial where he was sitting in for a circuit ct judge. guy gave us a GREAT trial. we walked a guilty man right out the door. and i agree with my friend rumpole- it was a brilliant political move.

Anonymous said...

hey captain....we have 3 new circuit seats and 1 county court seat opening up for this sept election...qualifying is july. candidates are allowed to step down from the seat they are running in and file in July. They would just lose there 4800/7000 filing fee...interesting what will happen that July week.

Anonymous said...

another idiot at 7:36 who thinks someone should be a judge because of one great trial. He lost, he can't win, so he "maneuvers" his way into the judiciary

pathetic.

Jeb - leave izzy in circuit, PLEASE!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

So after all that talk.... No Cristina Miranda? What gives?

And don't underestimate the other side of the legal community that practices over at the Dade County Courthouse. We tend to think that a judge like Slom is untouchable. But there are alot of lawyers that never step foot in Au Bon Pain who wouldnt know Slom if he bumped into them. There is a reason why all the circuit judges want to go over to civil. Mucho money from very big law firms to be had. If I ran for judge and had to hit up either civil lawyers charging $400 per hour from multi-million dollar firms or the sole practitioner doing criminal defense, I'd be running to Flagler Street very quick.

Anonymous said...

Miranda will probably file in an open seat, and all the people who could not support her against an incumbent, will support her in an open seat - probably something Steve Millan should have thought of. Smart girl.

By the way, doesn't Millan remind you of a young shelley schwartz?

Anonymous said...

Nice story about all the heavies in Tallahassee protecting the anglo judges from opposition (Leesfield, Young, Lederman). The elections supervisors office in Tallahassee was filled with dade county lawyers and consultants denying why they were there - except Lederman's husband, who admitted he was ready to tacle anyone who dare filed against his dear Cindy

Anonymous said...

POOR SAM

Anonymous said...

North of the border is untouched.

Anonymous said...

Poor Sam? Yeah, he's always nice and friendly but he's also pompous and arrogant and people have to realize that they're not invincible.

Anonymous said...

speaking of pompous and arrogant, is this a kinder and gentler jeff swartz???

Anonymous said...

On an unrelated note, I heard that the close-close bill is alive and well and on its way to being signed into law. Rumpy, what say you? Captain?

Anonymous said...

I heard Rothenberg used her connections to attach some "pork" to the close close rule; to wit: repealing the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 14th amendments in South Floirda. The bill has been named the Rothenberg Turd Doctrine, as I believe Rumpole predicted some weeks/months ago.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

The Close Close bill, which needed a super majority, originally failed in the Senate. In a late night back room meeting, a compromise amendment resulted in the bill being recalled and passed on the floor of the Senate by a unanimous vote.

The amendment stated that - whatever the Florida Supreme Court decides on the issue - is what the law/rule will be. The issue of eliminating the Close/Close for the defense is now before the Supreme Ct. from the Rules Committee.

The amendment reads:

"The method set forth in this section shall control unless the Supreme Court determines it is procedural and issues a substitute rule of criminal procedure."

So now we wait to see if the Sup. Ct leaves Rule 3.250 alone or changes it.

Captain out ................

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Leslie "UZI" Rothenberg, this really has nothing to do with her but I've always wanted to say that, has anybody seen fridays Daily Bus. Review? It gives great insight into the insanity which is the 3rd JNC. Apparently , with a reporter present, some members of this illustrious committee decided it was a wonderful idea to ask an applicant whether her recent motherhood would affect her ability to do the job. Great question. Maybe tho I can think of some others that might be along the same lines of ridiculousness. How about sexual preference, religious or party affiliation, weight, race, or creed. Can you think of any others? I think you can (credit to the late Mr. Roberts and his whole damn neighborhood).My guess is that we have entered the second dark ages. Apparently there are still some Neanderthals roaming the earth. Does this apparent lack of consciousness shock or surprise me? The quick and easy answer is NO! Why should it when these individuals who make up this august and important group are all political hacks appointed by Tsar Bush. They are selected not for their keen and discerning minds but for their ability to toe the party line and behave like good bushites and only send to the King of Kings (no disrespect to his sibling intended) those which are amenable to completely disregarding the constitution and punishing those that would. What is remarkable is that they were stupid enough to show their true colors in front of a reporter, no less. Usually this is a savvy bunch that may think a certain way, even act in conformity with that thought, but never openly express it. Now we have a glimpse of what they really think, the real agenda, the real criteria that being used to judge and discard applicants. Therefore I want to suggest to the JNC my ideas as to their model applicant. HE should be a WASP born in Cuba who in a former life was a high ranking official with the Gestapo and believes that the constitution (U.S. and Fl.) applies only to corporations and "good" people. I know this narrows the search a little but I think if they just concentrate their efforts on the applicants that fit this profile they will meet with unmitigated success and won't have to ask those pesky questions nor give voice to their true agenda. BELIEVE NOTHING!

Anonymous said...

ALVAREZ...ALVAREZ...ALVAREZ
Miller can always get reappointed by her buddy Jeb ala Steve Leifman.

Anonymous said...

Judge Israel Reyes-
Rumpole- You are such a good and current source of useful information that I was wondering if you could inform those of us who do not subscribe to the Daily Business Reviw the names of the other judges/applicants who were sent up to the Governor for the Third District Court of Appeal seat. I haven't seen a listing in the Herald or on the Florida Bar website. Inquiring minds want to know.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry about the other names, they were sent up as filler - It's Izzy, put it in the bank

Anonymous said...

No other judges other than Reyes went up. Hugo L. Black III and
Sanford Lewis Bohrer went up as well. Dont know who the other few are.

How could only one sitting circuit judge get through the JNC? Reyes is a good judge, but he's been on the bench for just a couple of years and has little/no experience as a civil judge. I know the whole process is a reward system for Jeb's buddies, but come on. At least make it look good.

Anonymous said...

alvarez is only qualified to judge glory holes

Anonymous said...

re glory holes:
i once stuck my dick in a glory hole back when they became in vogue. does that make me gay?

Anonymous said...

only if the person on the other sideof the glory hole is alvarez

Anonymous said...

The five names that went to the governor are as follows:

1.Hugo L. Black III

2.Isreal U. Reyes

3.Sanford Lewis Bohrer

4.Barbara Lagoa

5.Lisette M. Reid

Anonymous said...

You forgot Douglas Stein. It was six in total. You always were a little slow...and wierd.

Anonymous said...

Here is the actual article that I pulled from the Florida Bar website for those of you too stupid and computer illiterate to find it. There is also a link to the Business review for those not fortunate to have it delivered. Pony up the cake...Dont be so cheap.

JNC CHOOSES SIX NOMINEES FOR STATE APPEALS COURT VACANCY-- Daily Business Review, http://www.dailybusinessreview.com, May 12, 2006.
The 3rd District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission today recommended Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Israel Reyes, federal prosecutors Barbara Lagoa, Lisette Reid and Hugo Black III, and Miami attorneys Sanford Bohrer and Douglas Stein as finalists for a vacant judgeship. The names will be sent to Gov. Jeb Bush, who will select a successor to departing 3rd DCA Judge David L. Levy.

Anonymous said...

who's going to the FACDL gala?

Anonymous said...

I am

Anonymous said...

Iam

Anonymous said...

With bells on

Anonymous said...

I'll be there as the Americam Dream

Anonymous said...

It was a great event this year. Were you there Rumpole? You got lots of references.

Anonymous said...

BIG NEWS:

The identity of Rumpole is finally at hand. For those of you who ponied up the $150 smackers, (or for you elected folks who got in for free), you read the sponsor book that was handed out. One of the ads was from none other than Runpole, thanking his loyal bloggers. The check that paid for the ad by Rumpole, and given to Prez. BT, was none other than in the name of .....

(this comment has been edited to adhere to our rules and regulations of the blog)

Anonymous said...

wrong. rumpole paid with a money order. --dm

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

IT'S OUR SECOND - REVERSAL OF THE WEEK

AKA "What Circuit Judge got the hook this week?"

Today we highlight the case of Martinez v. State, 31 FLW d1231, decided by the 3rd DCA on May 3, 2006. This was a Writ of Mandamus. The trial court Judge was Victoria Sigler.

Daniel Martinez was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana. His attorney filed a standard Notice of Appearance and Written Plea of Not Guilty. He also filed, pursuant to FRCrP 3.180(a)(3) and 3.220(p)(1) a Written Waiver of Appearance. At the Arraignment, Judge Sigler ordered counsel and his client to appear at a Report Re Plea hearing. On the Report date, counsel appeared, but his client did not. The attorney advised the judge that he had previously filed a written waiver thereby excusing his client from appearing at pretrial conferences. Judge Sigler refused to honor the written waiver and issued a Capias and Estreated the bond.

The panel of Ramirez, Suarez, and Cortinas, reversed Judge Sigler. They found that Judge Sigler's refusal to accept the written waiver contravened the FRCrP cited. While the trial court can require the defendant's appearance in court, notwithstanding a waiver, if there is good reason to do so, here there was nothing in the record indicating that Judge Sigler had good cause to require defendant's appearance notwithstanding his waiver.

REVERSAL #2:

Did Judges' Miller & Adrien attend the same law school:

I couldn't help but also mention the case of Hibbert v. State, 31 FLW d1343, a 3rd DCA case. Apparently Judge Miller isn't the only one who forgot to read the rules on Contempt. Here Judge Peter Adrien held Mr. Hibbert in Direct Criminal Contempt; but, contrary to the requirements of FRCrP 3.830, the Judge forgot to permit the defendant the opportunity to present evidence of mitigating circumstances or to address to the judge why he should not impose a particular sentence.

CAPTAIN OUT ....................

Anonymous said...

Captain who are you?

Anonymous said...

Some of you people disgust me. Your comments directed at Mr. Alvarez are inappropriate and mean spirited. Mr. Alvarez's sexual choices are his own private business and should not be fodder for your hateful comments.

I know Mr. Alvarez, and know him to be a decent and upstanding person and a competent lawyer. It is impossible to predict how he will do as a judge based either on his sexual behavior or his current legal practice. What matters is whether he will be dedicated enough to learn how to do the job of judge well. I have confidence that he will.

I also know his opponent and know that she is also a good and competent judge, and a good and decent person. There is no reason that the campaign should turn dirty, or that we outsiders should wallow in the mud.


P.S. I'm a member of the religous right, and believe homosexuality to be a sin. Why is it that a "bigot" like me is a lot less bigoted than some of you.

Anonymous said...

question for gods child above - why is alvarez running against miller - THE TRUTH please

Anonymous said...

For those of you posting negative remarks about George Alvarez' sexual orientation let me remind you of David Young, Scott Bernstein, Mark King Leban, and Victoria Sigler. Are they bad judges because of their sexual orientation? NO! Whether Mr. Alvarez is or is not is not an issue for discussion or for campaign mud slinging. These remarks only serve to express the frustration of a campaign destined for failure--that of Judge Miller. I am sure that Judge Miller has no knowledge of these comments and that she too will find them to be reprehensible. And for those of you that do not know Mr. Alvarez, he will be an excellent judge and he is worthy of your support.

Anonymous said...

After years of spending the FACDL banquet holding back the bile that slowly seeped up my esophagus, I decided not to go this year. Was it the same Uber-Political, onanist bash that it usually is?

Anonymous said...

Somebody wrote:

question for gods child above - why is alvarez running against miller - THE TRUTH please

I don't have a clue why he's running against Miller. I don't care why he's running against Miller. Even if he had the worst reason in the world to run against Miller, does that make his sexual orientation relevant to whether he will be a good judge? Does that give people license to smear him in the worst and most vile ways possible? Of course not.

My only point in mentioning I was in the "religious right" is to note the irony that many of you supposedly tolerant leftists are a bunch of disgusting bigots, while many of those you slander as bigots are tolerant.

Anonymous said...

his sexual orientation is irrelevant, however, why are you so supportive of someone who is only running against miller due to his last name being alvarez?

Anonymous said...

Running due to his last name being alvarez? Are you kidding? Aren't you supposed to be at least somewhat logical to be a lawyer.

If he was running because his name is Alvarez, wouldn't it be logical to say that everybody named Alvarez would run? Funny, I know a bunch of people named Alvarez who are not running against miller. It your world it would not be alvarez v. miller. it would be alvarez and alvarez and alvarez and alvarez etc. v. miller.

Frankly, I don't blame him for using every advantage he can to get to his goal, as long as he does it honestly. And if his name is, honestly, Alvarez, it suits me fine.

Lastly, this is my main concern. This is an open forum. how do you think George Alvarez would feel if he came in here and read the horrible things you guys have said. He might feel real bad about it. And frankly, that violates the golden rule in a big way.

Be positive. In your extra-curricular campaiging for Bronwyn, say why she is qualified, and don't pick on George. Miller is qualified, so it shouldn't be too hard.

Child-o-god...

Anonymous said...

The 11:11:07 blogger left out Judge Venzer and Judge Schlesinger.

Oh, y'all didn't know about Schlesinger? He's a prick. And you know what they say? You are what you eat!

Anonymous said...

as for the alvarez v. miller election, in stead of smeraing alvarez, all that voting public has to do is compare miller's cv against alvarez'. The public will see that Miller is ivy league educated, protected the people of dade county for 8 years, put killers in the gas chamber and has treated her opponents and their clients with class and dignity when she was an ASA. Alvarez' CV is a joke, he is tied in with a judical JA who is about to get indicted, and this blog accuses him of having a cocaine problem and being a homosexual. I think Alvarez being a homosexual is the least of his problems

Anonymous said...

as for the alvarez v. miller election, in stead of smeraing alvarez, all that voting public has to do is compare miller's cv against alvarez'. The public will see that Miller is ivy league educated, protected the people of dade county for 8 years, put killers in the gas chamber and has treated her opponents and their clients with class and dignity when she was an ASA. Alvarez' CV is a joke, he is tied in with a judical JA who is about to get indicted, and this blog accuses him of having a cocaine problem and being a homosexual. I think Alvarez being a homosexual is the least of his problems

Anonymous said...

You make it sound as if Schlesinger is gay... not so, He is married to the people's court judge Marilyn Milian.

Venzer is not gay. No woman or man would sleep with her.

Anonymous said...

the schlesinger comment about is hilarious

Anonymous said...

Bronwyn put defendants in the gas chamber? I'm sure she'd be interested to hear that, since Florida has no gas chamber.

and Schlesinger a prick? - sounds like you have the cocaine problem

Anonymous said...

how come no one filed against judge David Miller. It's funny how everyone complains about him, but no one had the cojones to file against him. So here we go, 6 more years with ASA Judge David Miller.

Anonymous said...

We're supposed to be proud of someone who puts people to death? In most places those peope are called killers.

Anonymous said...

in dade county they should be called heros

Anonymous said...

Schlesinger has always been a gentleman when I've been before him. Are you in the same court?

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen Alvarez's resume but what do you mean tied in with the JA? Did they run some type of business together? I don't think so. If I judged anyone you knew simply by the fact that they were your acquaintance I would think they were all idiots.

Anonymous said...

Being an ASA for 8 yrs. doesn't qualify someone to be judge. What else do you have to do to get an appointment after 8 yrs. of practice? I'm on 6, need to know what I should do for the next 2.

Anonymous said...

CAN ANYONE ANSWER THE QUESTION WHY ALVAREZ IS RUNNING AGAINST BRONWYN MILLER? WHAT SAY YOU MR ALVAREZ? WHATS THE REAL REASON??????????

Anonymous said...

because i think i will be a really goodly judge

Anonymous said...

does alvarez actually feel as though he needs any reasons and/or qualifications or does he think it's an easy win because every voter automatically will cast their vote based on name alone and is racist/ignorant enough to automatically vote for alvarez or does he have a real reason and/or qualifications?

Anonymous said...

why will you be a good judge? because you went to county court to represent a few speedy drivers as favors to them? wow, that would make you an exceptional choice - you definitely have my vote mr. alvarez - NOT!

Anonymous said...

but i know traffic law really goodly well muy bien

Anonymous said...

yeah, so does randy maultasch, a kick butt attorney, with about 30 yrs more experience than you, but you don't see him qualifying to run for judicial position!!! stick to traffic court buddy.

Anonymous said...

u stick to traffic court

Anonymous said...

Good news- I heard that the old model rule mandating that judges must have sex before a public audience was overturned. Who the fuck cares if someone is gay? What possible effect does that have on their ability to be a Judge?
For instance, some very qualified judges- Young, King-Leban, Sigler, Bernstein...all assets to the bench. Some unqualified Judges- Miller, Areces, Jimenez, Arzola, Lindsey, Adrien.

Perhaps what we need is an all gay judiciary, you bigoted sophomoric assholes.

Anonymous said...

i like handys

Anonymous said...

does not have effect unless they lie about it and unless they have relationships wherein they sleep with ja/political consultants

Anonymous said...

D'Arce's a-ho is loose.

Anonymous said...

Firstly, Alvarez is a member in good standing of the Bar. Just because his primary practice places him in traffic court often does not disqualify him to be a judge. He has actually spent a great deal more time in the courtroom than many who have run or have been appointed. Should we disqualify criminal defense attorneys for the scum they sometimes have to defend?

Secondly, is Alvarez Gay? And if so, who cares?

Thridly, now you add cocaine use and a D'Arce connection. Why don't you put your name on your next post and prepare to defend yourself?

Lastly, I saw Alvarez today while posts were being made supposedly from him. Obviously B Miller's campaign hacks are trying to make a good man look bad.

SHAME ON YOU!

Anonymous said...

thirdly is not a word, even when it's spelled wrong - wheres spell checker? Is he with the riddler?

Anonymous said...

I have known George for 13 years and he has talked about running for judge for quite some time. He chose to run this year before most others did. George had picked other opponents to campaign against and changed his potential race because some of our colleagues had expressed interest in those particualr seats.

Why is everyone scared about someone running who does not have a political agenda? Someone who has practiced in the real world as opposed to being one of KFR's flunkies for 8 years? Someone who cares to make a difference as opposed to someone who has so many politically-related people being concerned about the career of a member of the Bar who has been practicing less than 10 years? Sounds like an agenda to me. I assure you, being with the Miami-dade County State Attorney's office for 8 years is nothing to brag about. Ask those who have actually seen her on the bench and I assure you she is nothing to sneeze at.

There is nothing that ties him to D'Arce. He does not use cocaine. He finally took a stand and is not backing off, sorry it had to be at your dear Bronwyn's expense. I hear United Auto is looking for a PIP lawyer, I'll be happy to write her a recommendation on September 6th. You scumbags who write this crap ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Professionals my ass!

If Bronwyn is so worried and is such a great judge, I hear there are 4 new circuit seats that have opened up. Maybe someone else will croak and she can get appointed before the Jebster leaves office. I hope she spends lots of money on those dirt bags she got running her campaign and loses big, because that would be a real feather in their caps. I hope they all suffer in the future.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, I didn't realize I was being graded. I will be sure to take my time and spell check next time.

Anonymous said...

WHY DID ALVAREZ PICK BRONWYN? JUST TELL THE TRUTH

Anonymous said...

since when is being gay, using cocaine, and being tied in with a corrupt consultant all at the same time a bad thing - i say he gets sized for the robe now just based on that!

Anonymous said...

Why did Patricia Marino-Pedraza pick Shirlyon J. McWhorter? Why did Cecilia Armenteros-Chavez pick Sam Slom? Why did Robin Faber pick Ivan Hernandez? Why did Sari Teichman Addicott pick Ana Maria Pando? Why did Stephen Millan pick Karen Mills Francis? Why did Juan F. Gonzalez pick Steve Leifman? Why did Gloria Gonzalez-Meyer pick Mike Samuels? Why did Migna Sanchez-Llorens pick Shelly Schwartz? Why did Don Cohn pick Bonnie Rippingille?

WHY IS EVERYBODY PICKING ON ALVAREZ?

Anonymous said...

good point

i cant wait to see all the narcotic and pc cops at his investeture

Anonymous said...

She has less years practicing as an attorney, only prosecuting criminal cases; she is an appointee on the bench less than a year, has never run a campaign before, not well known amongst attorneys at REGJB or DCCH.
Sounds like a good choice to run against.
Should he have waited to run against Ed "perfect "72 Season" Newman? Or picked Louise Krieger (my father will beat your father)-Martin?
You pick where you think you have a chance to win. And this was a good choice.

Anonymous said...

why is there so much venom and vitriol out there for alvarez

Anonymous said...

All of this back and forth between the camps of Alvarez and Miller is real entertaining but as usual the forest is getting lost for the trees. The problem isn't whether Miller was an ASA or Alvarez is a ticket lawyer its the idea that both of them have, and apparently a whole lot of others, that being a Judge is a career path. I long for the days when, after a long and All of this back and forth between the camps of Alvarez and Miller is real entertaining but as usual the forest is getting lost for the trees. The problem isn't whether Miller was an ASA or Alvarez is a ticket lawyer its the idea that both of them have, and apparently a whole lot of others, that being a Judge is a career path. I long for the days when, after a long and illustrious career, an individual who had been a successful lawyer in their chosen area of the law would,choose to become a Judge in order to give back to the community. This person would have had a wealth of knowledge and experience. Never would a lawyer appear before such a person and feel that the judge was incapable of an original thought, that the judge had no idea where the litigants should stand, or what a jury was. These were the halcyon days of yore. Where there was never a debate about the capabilities of our jurists. Stan Blake is a perfect example of this type of Judge. A thoroughly capable attorney who after a long and thriving career as a lawyer chose to share that knowledge with the community. Puppies with minimal experience, worldly, lawyerly, or otherwise, now choose to become judges because it's a good job. Never mind that they are ill suited for the rigors of the job, don't possess the temperament required, nor have the presence to command the respect necessary to be an effective magistrate. It's a job. One they don't do well. How can it be that lawyers who can't make it in private practice have found a safe haven for their frailties in the bosom of the Court. Why do we allow such nonsense to repeat itself time after time and do nothing about it. So while it is amusing to read the sniping between this candidate and that one I fear that we are losing sight of the fact that it is the law that's at stake. It is not a job...it is a calling. One that demands us to to be vigilant and protective of it lest it be trampled underfoot.

TRUST NO ONE!!!

Anonymous said...

3:54 poster----------you wish ill on Miller's supporters because of what some people post and criticize others for being unprofessional? You must be kidding. You're no better than the people trashing Alvarez.

A KFR flukie? Hardly. If you knew Bronwyn, you would understand why she is so well respected among prosecutors and defense attorneys. She was one of the hardest working ASA's in the office (spare me the jokes. She routinely worked to 7/8 at night and handled some very complex cases where a lot more than money was at stake). She is exceptionally bright, learns quickly and will be a great judge. But, this really isn't about her qualifications.......

Holding Bronwyn and/or all of her consultants and supporters responsible for a few asinine (and anonymous) posts that they had nothing to do with is stupid and unprofessional.

PS---time at the SAO is what you make of it. For some people, 8 years wouldn't qualify them to do a damn thing. For others, it qualifies them to do anything. Experience there (like anywhere else) is what you make of it and she made the most of it.

Anonymous said...

Vas ist dis Emma Peel?

Anonymous said...

great comments above, and about why the other candidates arent being mentioned. The point is, yes, that becoming a judge these days is 5 years plus a good name - IN MIAMI - all over the state judges go untouched at election time - why? many reasons, but here we have no respect for the judiciary and use it as a political game - sickening

Anonymous said...

According to the Miami Herald Article, D'Arce worked for Ivan Fernandez, Judy Rubenstein, Barbara Areces and Diane Ward's campaigns. If Alvarez is in fact working with D'Arce, then he is only taking the same path to the bench as this diverse group of judges did. The only reason D'Arce was picked on is because his expertise has produced results. This is why they complained about him being a JA and made up that he was campaigning from the office.
The only time I think being paid for consulting for candidates is a conflict of interest in the court is if D'Arce were paid to campaign against his boss, Ivan Hernandez. Why can Pando's bailiff run for office while working for a Judge, Ivan Fernandez run while being a State Attorney and Bennet Brummer pile campaign materials at a government building for years as well as KFR calling and mailing Chambers for her campaign? I have seen numerous JA's and Bailiffs campaigning, even last week. There are also rumors about JA's seeking donations from attorneys in chambers, even for setting motions. Bottom line is that whether you are working for pay or as a volunteer, you are nonetheless working.

I think what people are trying to do is give D'Arce such a bad reputation that candidates would fear hiring him for their campaigns. This would result in the candidates not having his advice which has allowed others to win.

Why is Alvarez getting so much crap for being rumored to work with D'Arce when so many diverse judges have hired him or benefited from his expertise?

Anonymous said...

I dont know juan - good question

Anonymous said...

To whoever said that Ed Newman was on the "Perfect" 1972 team I give you this:

http://www.phins.com/72phins/roster.html

No offense, obviously to Newman, but that just wasn't the team he was on.

Anonymous said...

Dear Spellcheck:

EAT ME!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey I posted that comment and I am not Juan. Seems kind of biased that you do not pick on all the others, and when you pick on Juan you are also picking on all these fine members of the judiciary who have relied on his work.

Anonymous said...

ask those currently sitting judges whether they are still using Darce

the answer is they are not and refuse to take his calls

Anonymous said...

judge David Young 4 life

Anonymous said...

The idea that memebers of the judiciary choose to hire publicists or consultants is absurd and is obviously the product of a naive mind, someone who is out of touch, or someone being disingenuous. These individuals are retained out of fear. Fear that if they don't hire them their opponent will. Fear that the consultant will run someone against them. Fear that they will have to give back some of the campaign contributions. These pulicists are a fact of life, an ugly dark fact of life.They do little and cost much.

Anonymous said...

"PICKING" ON JUAN? WHAT IS HE 8?

Anonymous said...

This is the advice I will follow when running for Judge:

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/1994-08-31/news/feature.html


Psssst! Wanna Be a Judge?
Follow these ten simple steps and they'll be calling you "Your Honor" in no time!

While the vast majority of judges and lawyers view judicial elections as an abomination, there are others among us who may look upon the biennial circus as something more benign. Something intriguing. Something very much like a golden opportunity. The following ten-step guide is intended for those visionaries who would dare add a black robe to their fall fashion ensemble:

1. Know the basics: Elections are held every two years. County court terms last four years and pay $82,764 per annum. Circuit court seats pay $93,111 over a six-year term. The next filing deadline is July 1996; the fee is $5121. To qualify for a circuit or county judgeship, one must have been a member of the Florida Bar for the past five years. (Don't jump the gun. Two years ago candidate Ed Newman, a former Miami Dolphin lineman, fell a few weeks short of eligibility. In disqualifying him the courts ignored the fact that Newman had, as he frequently points out on the campaign trail, played in three Super Bowls.) Candidates must also must live in Dade and be registered to vote here.

2. Raise money. Now: The best way to scare someone out of a race is to ante up big bucks early on. It doesn't pay to be embarrassed to beg. Remember, a judge is an individual of considerable fiduciary power. Lawyers will be happy to help out, provided they're given the right pitch.

3. Hire consultants: Yes, they're greasy characters, but the best ones, who manage up to a dozen candidates, get their clients onto the bench unopposed. Presto judge-o! By hiring a few consultants, a judicial hopeful can virtually guarantee that no fellow candidate becomes a competitor.

4. Consider a name change: It is generally acknowledged that most people enter the voting booth knowing next to nothing about judicial candidates. Names are key. Short, ethnically identifiable monikers are good, especially if they are associated with other upstanding public officials. Court Broom villain Roy Gelber, for instance, benefited from the popularity of his uncle Seymour Gelber, a former judge and the mayor of Miami Beach. Seymour's good friend Chief Judge Leonard Rivkind has drawn opposition this year for the first time in his distinguished career. The challenger's name: Allan Smith. "Smith is a good name," concedes Gerald Schwartz, Rivkind's paid consultant. "Trustworthy." Especially with Secretary of State Jim Smith on the same ballot, in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Circuit Court Judge David Tobin's challenger is an obscure lawyer with poor ratings in the Florida Bar poll and scant financial backing. He has been virtually invisible on the campaign trail. But his name is Ron Silver -- just like the popular state senator.

4a. Consider a hyphen: Experts say that in a judicial race, the candidate listed first on the ballot can count on ten percent more votes. This might explain why Judge Ann Mason Parker wrote a letter to the Dade County Elections Department requesting that she be listed on the county court slate as Ann Mason-Parker. Her opponent: public defender Marlene Montaner.

5. Consider a dress: Women vote more. Women win more.
6. Talk about crime: Though judicial rules prohibit candidates from discussing anything of interest, crime has somehow been exempted from the list. The public's paranoia should be fully exploited in this regard.

7. Kiss Jim Hampton's hiney: A word to the wise: Along with his editorial board, the editor of Miami's only daily newspaper determines who the Herald endorses.

8. Hit below the belt: Consultant Bob Levy explains: "Unless you're willing to bash the shit out of an incumbent, you're going to get beat."

9. Don't fret about qualifications: How many respected, big-firm attorneys are running for judge? Not many. If they were eminently qualified, they probably would have been appointed by now. No one sweats a low rating in the Florida Bar poll, either. Everyone knows the poll is a meaningless exercise in lawyerly back-scratching and -biting. Except of course those who score high, who consider the poll to be the only fair gauge of a candidate's judicial abilities.

10. Signage: It is degrading to imagine that voters would fill the bench based on these Day-Glo nuisances. Degrading but accurate.

Anonymous said...

Dear Spellcheck:

I know I mispelled publicist.

Wahoo

Anonymous said...

My mistake; should have said: Ed "got there after perfect season, stayed from 73-84, 4 time Pro-Bowl" Newman.
Tough on the field, Tough on the Bench.
Wasn't that his slogan?
Even a young female Hispanic wouldn't want to run against that.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

ED NEWMAN

Judge Newman played his football at Duke, graduating in 1973. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins that year, (the year after they had their undefeated season) and he played for the Dolphins from 1973-1984.

Newman played in a total of 167 NFL games and was an All Pro three times. He played in Super Bowl 8, when Miami beat the Vikings; he did not play because of a knee injury in Super Bowl 17 against the Redskins and he ended his career after playing in Super Bowl 19, a loss to the 49ers.

GO FINS!!!!!!

CAPTAIN OUT ...........

Anonymous said...

Judge Pando's bailiff quit to run for state house so, knock it off.

He and she did nothing wrong.

Anonymous said...

just love ed me

Anonymous said...

This blog has been taken over by dweebs.

Anonymous said...

ur a dweeb

Anonymous said...

no u r

Anonymous said...

no u

Anonymous said...

Miller and Adrien attended the same law school? you're kidding. no wonder they get reversed on such minor thing as issuing a contempt rule, or even a rule to show cause. Adrien got whipped by Larry Sparks' lawyer when Adrien held him in contempt for calling the wannabe Honorable H.W. division chief an asshole. granted that wasn't called for, and the contempt was properly meted out, but Judge Adrien, ooops, forgot to give L. Sparks the opportunity to explain himself. so he got whooped, whooped, and that was funny.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

IT'S OUR SECOND - REVERSAL OF THE WEEK

AKA "What Circuit Judge got the hook this week?"

Today we highlight the case of Martinez v. State, 31 FLW d1231, decided by the 3rd DCA on May 3, 2006. This was a Writ of Mandamus. The trial court Judge was Victoria Sigler.

Daniel Martinez was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana. His attorney filed a standard Notice of Appearance and Written Plea of Not Guilty. He also filed, pursuant to FRCrP 3.180(a)(3) and 3.220(p)(1) a Written Waiver of Appearance. At the Arraignment, Judge Sigler ordered counsel and his client to appear at a Report Re Plea hearing. On the Report date, counsel appeared, but his client did not. The attorney advised the judge that he had previously filed a written waiver thereby excusing his client from appearing at pretrial conferences. Judge Sigler refused to honor the written waiver and issued a Capias and Estreated the bond.

The panel of Ramirez, Suarez, and Cortinas, reversed Judge Sigler. They found that Judge Sigler's refusal to accept the written waiver contravened the FRCrP cited. While the trial court can require the defendant's appearance in court, notwithstanding a waiver, if there is good reason to do so, here there was nothing in the record indicating that Judge Sigler had good cause to require defendant's appearance notwithstanding his waiver.

REVERSAL #2:

Did Judges' Miller & Adrien attend the same law school:

I couldn't help but also mention the case of Hibbert v. State, 31 FLW d1343, a 3rd DCA case. Apparently Judge Miller isn't the only one who forgot to read the rules on Contempt. Here Judge Peter Adrien held Mr. Hibbert in Direct Criminal Contempt; but, contrary to the requirements of FRCrP 3.830, the Judge forgot to permit the defendant the opportunity to present evidence of mitigating circumstances or to address to the judge why he should not impose a particular sentence.

CAPTAIN OUT ....................

Anonymous said...

I can't have an intelligent discussion on this blog so I am taking all my marbles and going home.

Anonymous said...

EMMA PEEL: LONG-LEGGED, LEATHER- CLAD BRITISH SECRET AGENT PLAYED BY DIANA RIGG IN 60'S ERA TV SHOW THE AVENGERS...CO-STARRING PATRICK MACNEE AS JOHN STEED.

Anonymous said...

LANCELOT LINK: SECRET CHIMP...ANOTHER SECRET AGENT, BUT THIS ONE IS SIMIAN.

Anonymous said...

NICE POSTS, WAHOO...JOE SCARPA SAYS HELLO. HOW WAS THAT ROAST CHICKEN AT MARIAS TODAY?

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

CANDIDATE WATCH:

On Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 1:00 PM, at the Dade County Courthouse, The Florida Bar will be conducting a training session for people seeking election to become a judge in 2006.

According to The Florida Bar, this training should be attended by anyone who has filed to run already OR ANYONE SEEKING OFFICE WHO WILL BE FILING BETWEEN JULY 17-21, 2006.

According to the Bar, "the forums will emphasize the importance of integrity and professionalism among candidates for judicial office and the consequent impact of campaign conduct on public trust and confidence in the courts".

Chief Justice Barbara Pariente said. “I ask that you conduct your campaigns in a manner exemplifying this commitment to service and justifying continued public trust and confidence in our judicial system.”

The CAPTAIN will be using his periscope to scan the room to see who may be in attendance at that training.

You may remember that the Fla. Leg. created three new Circuit and one new County seat for 2006. Again, those that wish to run for one of those four seats will have to Qualify during the week of July 17-21.

CAPTAIN OUT ..............

Anonymous said...

sounds like the parade of idiots will be there

Anonymous said...

8. Hit below the belt: Consultant Bob Levy explains: "Unless you're willing to bash the shit out of an incumbent, you're going to get beat."

I believe this is the same Bob Levy that was convicted for a financial crime years ago. Yet Judges still hire him to do their campaigns? Is this true Captain?

Anonymous said...

I think this blog is becoming more Captain's blog than Rumpole's.

I think Phil is out of town again.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

as to Bob Levy, all we can confirm is that Robert M. Levy (aka Bob Levy) is a political consultant ... AND

There is also a Robert M. Levy, born 3/27/45, who has four separate felony cases in Dade County totaling 11 counts (10 felonies and one misdemeanor); all charges were for Worthless Checks and all cases were in 1973.

If it is the same Levy, I am amazed that a man so involved in the court system would not have gotten his record SEALED by now.

CAPTAIN OUT ...........

Anonymous said...

I didn't know King-Leban took in the tookie hole.

Anonymous said...

Bob Levy served more than two years in federal prison for economic crimes, according to Miami-Times.

I wonder how many Judges knew that.

Anonymous said...

Arthur Arnau, a candidate for the Florida State House, District 107, who was Pando's Bailiff, quit his job last September 2005, even though the Miami-Dade County Charter only required him to resign effective Election Day. He did so because he thought it to be the ethical route to go.

So, let's not go there. You are showing your ignorance.

Anonymous said...

As far as I know JA is not and has not worked on Alvarez' campaign.

Anonymous said...

Larry Sparks was right: HW IS an asshole!

Anonymous said...

who is HW?

Anonymous said...

no wonder i dont read this garbage anymore

Anonymous said...

hw is herbert walker the third.

Anonymous said...

Jonathan Davidoff is back!
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1147696529713&rss=newswire

Anonymous said...

Hector, you are a PIG! All women Hate you for being a SEXIST PIG! BUSH, you should be ashamed of this FAT PIG! Please nominate this PIG for the Biggest SEXIST PIG AWARD. No Poll is needed.

Friday, May 12, 2006
3rd DCA Finalists
Some of our federal practioners have made the cut to be considered for an appointment to the Third DCA, our state appellate court for Miami. The six finalists are AUSA Barbara Lagoa, Judge Israel Reyes, AUSA Lisette Reid, AUSA Hugo Black III, Sanford Bohrer and Douglas Stein. The JNC has put together a great group for consideration. This morning's DBR article by Carl Jones explores what sorts of questions are appropriate during interviews. Apparently Ms. Lagoa was asked about whether she could balance motherhood (she recently had twins) and work. Unbelievable that people are still asking these sorts of questions. Shame on them. Here is the beginning of Jones' article:

The issue of improper questioning of judicial candidates emerged anew during this week’s Judicial Nominating Commission interviews of applicants for a 3rd District Court of Appeal seat. During interviews on Tuesday, JNC member Hector Lombana, a Coral Gables lawyer, asked candidate Barbara Lagoa, a federal prosecutor who recently gave birth to twins, whether she felt she could balance motherhood and the workload of serving on the 3rd DCA. The JNC chair, Ramon Abadin, later called the question “inappropriate.” The panel subsequently chose Lagoa as one of six finalists it recommended to Gov. Jeb Bush.

Anonymous said...

More pigs:

A Manhattan judge has dismissed a New York attorney's lawsuit against his aunt and uncle, in which he alleged the Florida couple defaced his Web site by replacing all of his postings with a photograph of the lawyer labeled "Pig of the Year," in which he leans back in a chair and appears to say, "I'm going to eat everything in site."

While marking the apogee of a family dispute, the decision also touched upon unsettled issues of personal jurisdiction.

After plaintiff Jonathan Davidoff discovered the defacement and allegedly traced it back to the computer of his uncle and aunt, S. Robert Davidoff and Ila Davidoff-Feld, he filed suit against them in Supreme Court, asserting six causes of action, including defamation and tortious interference with a business.

Anonymous said...

Dear Tuesday, May 16, 2006 3:09:59 AM:

This is old news and has been previously reported on the blog (see Saturday, May 13, 2006 10:09:34 AM). This is a current up to the minute blog that covers all breaking news. I usually wouldn't mind your lapse but my signifigant other yelled at me this morning and I am in a pissy mood. So, get your shit together, read what's written, don't repeat yourself(don't repeat yourself)and keep up.You can't just come on and casually blog without taking some heat.Pay Attention!!!You think I am doing this for my health! I have better things to do with my time (not really but I thought I should say that in case someone is actually reading this).Another thing hiding behind an anonymous byline is childish, churlish, and probably some other ishes. Be a man, or a woman, and take responsibility for your blog. Don't use the anonimity of the blog to take shots at others. Trust me you'll feel better if you come out of the darkness and come into the light where we all can see you. Okay now I feel better.

Anonymous said...

that davidoff article is a must read!! what a dick he must be for him to sue his own family for calling him the "pig of the year." Is he a great big fat person?

Anonymous said...

he is not a small person physically. i suppose he has even more time than I to sue ol' aunt esther in Arizona.

i wonder if he ever used the twinkie defense?

Anonymous said...

Precious! Precious!

Anonymous said...

Is he a great big fat person?

Anonymous said...

the story on the 3rd DCA JNC WAS previously reported, just not in specificity as to who said what - important stuff

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Pennyworth:

How is Mrs. Pennyworth? The kids? Bruce and Dick?

Anonymous said...

Ivan Hernandez ask not for whom the political bell tolls it tolls for thee!

Anonymous said...

is HW for real? he looks like an alien.

Anonymous said...

Is Phil out of town?

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

The Captain extends his wishes to Rumpole and his blog on six months of entertaining commentary.

May the BLOG continue to contribute to the daily discussion that goes on "about and between the judges and lawyers who labor in the world of Miami's criminal justice" system.

CAPTAIN OUT ...........

Anonymous said...

Phil died and left the Blog to D'Arce in his will.

Anonymous said...

Rumpole, please breathe some new life into the blog!

Anonymous said...

I too have heard that JA is Rumpole

Anonymous said...

Has anyone ever seen the Captain and Rumpole together?

Anonymous said...

Rumpole is laid up at the Biltmore recovering from the banquet.

Anonymous said...

I think Rumpole got opposition last Friday and is planning his campaign strategy

Anonymous said...

Who is JA

Anonymous said...

Jack Ass

Anonymous said...

Herb Walker is Rumpole!

Anonymous said...

what smarmy pseudo intellectual ex-juez with a personality disorder better be thinking about hiring Beekins and making plane reservations if a certain someone does'nt make it to the 3rd? Think pompous, think know-it-all, think poor impulse control. Do you want to know a secret? Do you promise not to tell? Apparently the word is that this moron never even clued in his employers at Stevens Lynn before he made his bombastic move to alienate the other half of the bar and bench. My spies tell me there was fireworks aplenty and lots of bad feelings to go around. No shock there though, afterall this man truly believes he is smarter, better, and wiser than all of us mortals. He can also leap tall buildings in a single bound, run faster than a speeding....you know the rest. Can a person be so out of touch with reality so as not to be aware that he is universally reviled? Can one be the constant object of jokes and derision and really believe it's not true. Can this individual not know he better get to the promised land of the judiciary or he will be a pariah among the legal community? I hope you know what you are doing because you hav edug yourself a giant hole and thereis a line of people waiting to throw dirt and bury you. I can only ask...Where's my shovel?

EVEN PARANOID PEOPLE HAVE ENEMIES!

Anonymous said...

If Jeb appoints someone other than Izzy, Jeffrey shall be sentenced to listen to 1 million hours of hip-hop, techno and reggaeton music from high-powered outdoor-concert speakers or he will be banned from running in the 2008 election.

Anonymous said...

Schlesinger isn't gay becasue he's married to Marilin Milian?

Hey, y'all, I got Tang in my kitchen. It doesn't make me an astronaut!

Anonymous said...

Interesting article about Davidoff. He is an asshole for suing his uncle who broke into his website and defamed him? I do not think Davidoff is the asshole, but his uncle is the asshole.

I wonder how much the uncle had to spend to defend the case in New York. Word has it, Davidoff actually has a very interesting legal issue and clearly the #1 legal community agrees by placing Davidoff on the front page of the law journal. In fact, word has it, per my personal conversation with Davidoff, that he played this one right because he preserved his rights to sue in Florida.

I wonder if this is a crime. Maybe one of us will represent the uncle.

We sit here and call Davidoff a pig, but where do we find ourselves, hiding behind anonymous blogs. Including me.

I say, good job Jonathan, kick some family ass in New York.

Anonymous said...

Is it true that Herb Walker has hands that like to stroke and eyes that kill his interns, of all genders?

Anonymous said...

Why is Davidoff on this blog? This is a non-story and not relevant to our judges.

I cannot wait for Slom to be unemployed!

Herby Walker is not smart enough to be Rumps!

Anonymous said...

How many here would be happy if their uncle broke into their firm's website and defaced it? Wouldn't you sue too?

Anonymous said...

Do Slom or Leifman actually have a division?

Anonymous said...

Slom is administrative judge for County Court and Leifman is associate adminitrative judge for traffic court. They do hear cases sometimes in Courtroom 1-3. Leifman is the lord of the traffic magistrates and the man to see when the magistrates whack your clients with ridiculously high fines.

Anonymous said...

If my uncle broke into my website, I'd think that was pretty cool

Anonymous said...

Are Slom and Leifman so busy as Administrative Judges that they cannot handle divisions? Is that what all administrative judges do? I have never heard of that. It is my understanding that other jurisdictions act as administrative judges and have full divisions as well?

Anonymous said...

Judge Larry Schwartz is kind of nasty, isn't he?

Anonymous said...

Slom and Liefman are actually hard working guys and both out of court are very nice people.

You should see all the meetings they attend... many with no PD or FACDL person there.

They are in bed with the the SAO.

The problem is that the ticket lawyers complain that both of them are always sticking it to the ticket defendants.

That is why they have opposition.

Signed: A ticket lawyer.

Anonymous said...

dear 2:51am poster/Davidoff
Get the staple in April and you will not be a pig in July. You must give it a try. For, you can not see your feet because of all the food that you eat.