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.

Monday, May 08, 2006

TIES THAT BIND

Hate to admit it, but North of The Border has the right idea with the summer dress code. Even a broken clock gives the correct time twice a day. As summer approaches, couldn’t the Judges agree that from June 1 through September 15 attorneys not in trial do not have to wear ties? First of all, not all attorneys in court are required to wear ties. Just male attorneys. Secondly, with the Bush administration blaming trees for gashouse emissions, its getting hotter every summer. Finally, attorneys don’t have underground parking. So we hike into the courthouse bathed in sweat. Nothing like standing in a long line in a suit and tie in the middle of August.

Of course this idea would sensible, fair, and accommodating to the defense bar. So there goes the chance of that ever being agreed to.
And our robed readers wonder why the rest of Miami treats them so harshly on these pages.


TICK TOCK.

Was it our imagination or was REGJB pretty quiet today.??

Nothing like a looming judicial elections deadline (Friday) to quiet down a raucous judiciary. Like the old joke that the only one who could hold Michael Jordan to under 20 points a game was his old college coach Dean Smith, the only thing that gets a judge quiet, polite and fair is a possible contender for their seat.

Just wishing, and this is purely personal but, if we were king we would:

1) Give David Miller opposition.
2) Take away opposition from Judges Steve Leifman, Larry Schwartz, and Sheldon Schwartz.
3) Allow attorneys not to wear ties during the summer (oops, wrong topic).

DEAR RUMPOLE:

Dear Rumpole,

I hate my new job. All they do is fight about money, and lie about everything.
Can you help?

Rumpole responds:

Dear Judges Barzee and/or Sigler:

Hang in there. Civil is not forever.

Your Pal,
Rumpole.



HARDEST WORKING JUDGE IN THE COURTHOUSE









HARDEST WORKING MAN IN SHOW BUSINESS:










PRETTY GOOD COMPANY FOR JUDGE ROSINEK (AND JAMES BROWN)

SEEN AT THE REGJB

Richard Sharpstein and Mike Grieco in line at Au Bon Pon, purposely not looking at each other.

A Judge leaving the building in a red Volvo with a PBA badge on the license plate.

Querry: Should judges be members of the PBA when they are called upon to judge the credibility of police officers every day? Plus, if you are a Judge and get pulled over for a ticket, should you really be flashing your badge or membership in the PBA?

Rumpole has some sage advice:Take the ticket and call a ticket chick instead of saying something stupid and ending up in the Herald.


See you in court. We'd say "I feel good" but then Judge Rosinek would probably order a drug test.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rump,

How can you possibly support Larry Schwartz? He doesn't try cases, he is pro-state, he is rude and arrogant and the loves to belittle attorneys, witnesses and defendant's.

His Green Peace days of long passed. In fact he is more Green Baret than Green Peace activist. Get with it, Rump!

Rumpole said...

Your criticisms of Judge Larry Schwartz have been raised here and other places many times before. Which means that he should be aware that many people feel the way you feel. Call us crazy, call us blind, call us Larry Schwartz, but we think he is a fine judge. Seriously, we have found that Judge Schwartz is a good Judge who is committed to his job and works very hard. He does not suffer fools gladly. Who does? He can be brusque and a bit rough. But we have every faith in him to do his job as best he sees fit, and make decisions based on the law, not on what the prosecution or the Herald wants him to do. And that means a lot in this day and age.

Anonymous said...

Rumpster:

Attorneys do not wear ties in Broward County because THEY chose not to; the judges there, many of whom pre-date air conditioning, have just decided not to hold them in contempt for a mere "dress code" violation.

So I guess it is up to you and the rest of us to pack up the powdered wigs and robes (and ties) and all show up tie-less. I guess if we all did it we would have strength in numbers.

What do you judges say?

Contemplating My Wardrobe (and where to find a linen suit & hat)

Anonymous said...

I am not sure what will come on Friday at 12 Noon, but I am sure that come September 5th the current 81 Anglo seats will be down by at least 10. Furthermore, noteable dummies that have chosen to run against the majority of the county (as the Hispanics did in the past and lost) will be poorer as well as wiser. Kicking butt never felt so good.

God Speed and may the Force Be With You!

"VIVA LA RAZA!"

SPANISH AND CREOLE! More Hispanic and other Minorities on the Bench!

No need to be Anglo to be hired on a Big Case any longer. No more, "Hey Mr. Rimpleskinster, how are the kids?" and to the minority attorney, "are you ready for trial counselor?" No more, bad interpreters and calling immigration on Hispanic Clients.

"VIVA LA RAZA"

We need more Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Haitians Antiguans, Panamanians, Dominicans and Jamaicans on the Bench. As well, we need Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, Hondurans, Asians, and surely Real Native Americans, i.e., Indians on the Bench. No more Entitlement.

"QUE VIVAN LAS RAZAS"

"EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ON THE BENCH FOR 2006"

Anonymous said...

maybe sharpy will hire dj,esq. for the victory party.

Anonymous said...

i love the ethnic stuff, it shows the world how small we are here in miami

Anonymous said...

Hispanics are a minority??

Anonymous said...

Hey Rump,
Thanks for the props.
Love,
One of the ticket bitches.

Anonymous said...

Hey 4:20;42, when was the last time you were in Schwartz's court room. Ask the lawyers who are there everyday if he's pro-state, rude, arrogant, and doesnt try cases. How come your grapes are so sour and his bar ratings are so high?

Anonymous said...

It is not about how small Hispanics are in Miami, but how badly represented all Castellian Speakers are represented on the Bench. Yes, you did read correct. CASTELLIAN SPEAKERS! Do not pile Castellian Speakers to be Hispanics, they are from Cuban, Dominican, Antiguan, Puerto Rican, Honduran, Spaniard, Colombian descent. When you say Hispanic, it seems like that word represents all. Not true. As a matter of fact, bring on Asians to the Bench and Native Americans.

You know what, 2006 will be the beggining of the end. Long live "La Revolucion!"

Rumpole said...

Rumpole has one simple question: Your child gets arrested and the case goes to trial. Who do you want as the Judge? The best possible individual (regardless of the their race or sex), or an individual representative of a minority class?

Who would you hire to represent your child? The best attorney you could afford, or an attorney representative of a particular minority?

Note that being a minority does not exclude you from being the best. The issue is the criteria you are basing your choice on.

We know who we would want.

Anonymous said...

Rosinek works hard and is trusted by all of us. Nice of you to put that there with a photo.

Ever notice judges (men) wearing jeans and very casual attire UNDER their robes.... Why not have a rule so we can too without the fear of some stupid bastard judge making us look like we are stupid bastards....

Anonymous said...

Believe it or not, an old Cuban exile myth is that the best lawyers are white Jewish males from Miami Beach. They will shun Cuban lawyers and hire lawyers that fit that profile regardless of their ability to communicate with them. Go figure!

Anonymous said...

CUBANS ARE STUPID, THIS IS AN OLD JEWISH MYTH.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

HEY RUMP... IT'S NOT QUIET ANYMORE ...

BREAKING NEWS:

CAMPAIGN UPDATE .....

T-4 days and all those incumbent judges without opposition, hoping for six more years of doing the same old thing .... well ...

The First Judge up for target practice is .... JUDGE ANA MARIA PANDO

It appears that her honor was not able to hide in Hialeah as SARI TEICHMAN ADDICOTT has filed in Group 10 to run against Pando.

Ms. Teichman Addicott has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1978 and she spends most of her time doing real property, probate and trust law. She has a law office with her husband Michael Addicott in Hallandale Beach. For residency clarification, she does live in ritzy Golden Beach.

Pando did do a good job in the last quarterly report raising $69,280 from a total of 233 contributors. It appears that she will be spending many a hot summer day at many breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Expect some surprise announcements in the next couple of days in Group 30 of the County Court. This was the incumbent seat occupied by Judge Roger Silver. Candidate Steve Millan attempted to force Judge Silver into early retirement when he filed last year. Candidate Robert Twombley followed Millan's lead.

Well, Silver, one-upped them both when he managed to weasel into a Circuit Court appointment last month made by Gov. Jeb. That left the seat officially open and gave Gov. Bush an opportunity to appoint a replacement. This all means that the Group 30 seat is suddenly not up for election in 2006.

We have good reason to believe that Twombley will be withdrawing his name from the 2006 election all together, while STEVE MILLAN will be firing the second shot at an incumbent judge later this week. We believe that Millan is looking at two possible incumbents, including:

Karen Mills Francis and Deborah White Labora.

Of course, all this may change if Millan and/or Twombley decide to run for the new County Court Judge seat that appears to have been created in the most recent legislative session.

Finally, we expect ASA Miranda to be in Tallahassee on Friday morning, and she should be filing her paperwork just before the clock strikes noon. We still cannot confirm who her target will be, but most of the money is still on Judge Mindy Glazer.

more to come ......

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

Anonymous said...

Do you hear that? Listen - you hear it?

It's David Miller laughing

Anonymous said...

I love the ethnic stuff. We DONT need fair, intelligent, and reasonable judges. THOSE are not judicial qualifications. All we need are MINORITY judges, less anglos', and more Hispanics.

Whoever thinks we should vote for a Judge based on ethnicity is as racist as any KKK member.

You have the luxury of an advanced formal education and thats how you think? You (4:51:00) are a HUGE part of the racial divide in this country. I guess you can't make it on your own, so it's always easy to fall back on the "Im not a white guy, give me something free" card.

I hope the rest of us will vote for elected officials on merit, not on race. (but I highly doubt it).

This country was based on racism, we havent progressed much, and our fall as a country will be petty bull shit like that.

Anonymous said...

true. we do need more judges from antigua. that alone is qualification.

Anonymous said...

Captain, where on the web is the information posted re coutny court judges?

Anonymous said...

Hey Captain--with newly created county and circuit seats presumably coming to an election near us in the near future, why would millan, addicott, miranda et al choose to run against incumbents instead of these open seats?

Anonymous said...

To 12:51:

It's the known v. unknown. Who knows how many people or who will put their names into the open seats? You also run the risk of a 3 or 4 party race which probably means run-off and 2 months longer campaigning.
But why would someone pick Pando whose got a huge war chest already?

Anonymous said...

I would target Mindy in a strip club, if I could put a dollar in her panties.

Anonymous said...

I thought Millan was looking at Rothenberg or Gross??

Anonymous said...

I heard it was the Rippingille/Cohn race.

Anonymous said...

Skip Maynard Gross is a sitting duck.

Anonymous said...

Racism and Equal Representation are not the same. There is no doubt that the current make-up of the judiciary in Miami-Dade is filled with people who should never have been allowed to even attend law school. We all know them, but based on population trends they have been abled to stay elected. I say this, let other people in and if they suck, kick them out. The best should always serve, but the last person that thought the White race was superior was Hitler.

There is no lie to the myths about who gets hired for a case since life is all about relationships. I disagree with selecting on race, but feel a heck of a lot better when I see someone on the bench who at the very least understands the culture of Hispanics, knows how to turn on a computer and most of all, treats me and everyone else with respect. One more thing, that the Judge be willing to rule against the socially acceptable because it is right, not because it is popular. Even if it means loosing their job at the next election. Yes, I favor judicial term limits!

What say you?

Anonymous said...

I favor term limits for ALL elected officials. These people are not kings. In this case, they are lawyers. I don't feel bad for any of them when they get opposition. Regardless of how much I like them as a judge, head prosecutor, or public defender. Change is good.

Anonymous said...

Re: 8:22 posting.
why should you feel better when you get someone on the bench who understands the Hispanic culture? that's so stupid. If that's the case, then whites americans should get a white american judge, black americans a black american judge, jamaican a jamaican judge. it could go on and on. it should be enough that whoever is on the bench respects the law we all adhere to, follows it and applies it. you are the reason why people vote on race or surname alone without knowing what that person stands for. stop being a follower. stand up for what you truly believe in. Voting on surnames such as Rodriguez, Velez, Perez etc. got us Peter Camacho Adrien.

Anonymous said...

,who is our worst criminal judge.

Anonymous said...

nice job 8:22. why would a hispanic need a hispanic judge who "knows how to turnb a computer" on. how about a HUMAN BEING, regardless of race and gender be on the bench. lose the comfort zone because someone's name is jose and you think they will be lighter on you b/c of it.

Anonymous said...

I don't know the numbers for circuit but in county only 20% of the Judges are Hispanic (or "Hispanic"). Doesn't add up when they are at or greater than 50% of this county's population

Anonymous said...

I don't know the numbers for circuit but in county only 20% of the Judges are Hispanic (or "Hispanic"). Doesn't add up when they are at or greater than 50% of this county's population

Anonymous said...

I don't know the numbers for circuit but in county only 20% of the Judges are Hispanic (or "Hispanic"). Doesn't add up when they are at or greater than 50% of this county's population

Anonymous said...

I don't know the numbers for circuit but in county only 20% of the Judges are Hispanic (or "Hispanic"). Doesn't add up when they are at or greater than 50% of this county's population

Anonymous said...

No ties in Court? Maybe we could also allow jeans, and open collar shirts with slip on shoes and no socks. It could be called the "Scott Saul" rule. Or, perhaps, we could show some respect for the courtroom, and dress appropriately.

Anonymous said...

No ties in Court? Maybe we could also allow jeans, and open collar shirts with slip on shoes and no socks. It could be called the "Scott Saul" rule. Or, perhaps, we could show some respect for the courtroom, and dress appropriately.

Anonymous said...

No ties in Court? Maybe we could also allow jeans, and open collar shirts with slip on shoes and no socks. It could be called the "Scott Saul" rule. Or, perhaps, we could show some respect for the courtroom, and dress appropriately.

Anonymous said...

Comeon! We want more Greico. The public demands it. More dirt, more skanky women, more music, more Miami Vice! Entertain us for God's sake!!! (Redskins fans)

Anonymous said...

his 15 minutes are up. NEXT

Anonymous said...

What are Stephen Millan's chances of being elected?