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, June 19, 2006

REINVENTING REEMBERTO


Congratulations to Reemberto Diaz for his appointment to the Circuit Court. No truth to the rumor that the Governor Jeb “Holly go lightly” Bush bumped his head before calling Mr. Diaz. Some truth to the rumor that Reimberto was somewhere between Miami and Key Largo when his cell phone rang. (More about Rumpole and the Federal Public Defenders, infra. )

Condolences to Circuit Court Judge Israel Reyes. “Schwartzed” in his attempt to join the Third “PCA Affirmed” DCA, (Rothenberg concurs in an opinion in which the fourth amendment is ruled unconstitutional). Izzy could not have been thrilled when the former County Court Judge maneuvered himself into a free six year circuit slot riding the robes of Judge Reyes. More on this in an upcoming post.

RUMPOLE SIGHTINGS:

“Rumpole is in Key Largo”; “Rumpole is in Broward”; “Rumpole is in trial in Dade”; “Where’s Rumpole?

Rumpole never comments on where Rumpole exactly is at any one moment as “Rumpologists are too quick to try and deduce our identity.

As to the Federal Public Defenders and their conference at hoity toity Ocean Reef, lets just say that you probably will never see the Federal Public Defender and Rumpole having “elevenesses” together. There’s a long and sordid tale as to why Rumpole is persona non grata as far as the Federal Public Defenders go, but suffice to say that you would be more likely to find Rumpole welcome at the local bar getting his “buy 11 dozen chicken wings…get the 12th dozen free” card stamped, then mixing it up with a bunch of Feds at some club that wouldn’t have us if we had more money than Bill Gates.

“Muffy…what is that awful man doing in the club house?”
“I don’t know Winthrop…he’s one of those horrid criminal defense attorneys here for the weekend.”
“Well, call security because he’s eating all the cocktail franks.”


We occasionally wander into Federal Court, where despite the frowns our stained outer garments draw from the Judges and the Clerks, (not to mention the guffaws from the prosecutors) we manage to thump a few Feds right where their ego lives. However, our un-orthodox methods do not endear us to the Federal Public Defenders.

Who wants to spend their career arguing for downward departures all week long anyway?

As our famous countryman said: “Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.'' (Winston Churchill in a speech in 1941 to his old school Harrow)

This is a federal criminal system where a defendant can argue for a downward departure for “voluntarily disclosing an offense” where without the disclosure his crime would never have been discovered. See, 36million and something USC 12.blahblahah USSG..E=MC/2.

Voluntarily disclosing a crime gets you less time in Federal Court?

In state court it gets you a well deserved psych eval!

You can take your 36 volume sentencing manual, and your downward departures, and your flips, and snitches, and fancy CLE seminars and clubs that won’t have us and put it where… John Ashcroft would call it a crime against nature.

Give us a good drug case and a lying City of Miami Cop, or a battery on a Miami Beach Officer (query: How many Miami Beach Police Officers does it take to throw a defendant down a flight of stairs? None. “He fell.”) and let us have at it on cross examination without the worry that we will be indicted.

Go to any Magistrate 10:30 hearing downtown:
AUSA: Your honor, the defense has turned down a chance to cooperate and entered a plea of not guilty.
The Court: “Take counsel into custody.”


So, knowing all that, do you really think we were sipping gin and tonics with our friendly federal defenders? We know we’ve probably offended our favorite federal blogger David O Markus, but he’s a big boy, he can take it. And we are already setting aside time to read the long lecturing email from Judge Barzee formerly of the Federal Public Defenders office. So be it.

See you in the REAL courts this week.

113 comments:

Anonymous said...

Little tough on the feds? Didn't get that job at the US attorneys Office or the Fed PD's? Let it go Rump.

Anonymous said...

Oh please ... You were seen at hoity toity Ocean Reef, drinking FACDL's sponsored booze, listening intently to federal practice programs, and pretending you belonged. If you can't at least be honest about your whereabouts, perhaps we should just disclose your identity once and for all, so at least the truth of your location will be undeniable. By the way, wasn't that you at check-out walking and talking with a soon-to-be-made-public candidate for circuit court judge?

Anonymous said...

It's not Reimberto, it's Reemberto (pronounced Reh-ehm-ber-toh).

Anonymous said...

WHO CARES WERE YOU GO.

Anonymous said...

REYES got "SWARTZ'S" NOT "SCHWARTZ'S"

Rumpole said...

1) Dropped the "i" added the "e". Reemberto it is! Don't want to offend him before he dons the black robes of fiefdom.

2) There is no possible way you saw us drinking "FACDL sponsored" booze. Rumour has it the hospitality suite had a "cash bar" and as everyone well knows, we abhor paying for our own drinks.(in that respect we plead guilty to exhibiting judicial tendencies.)

3) "were"? You mean "where you go?" as in "Where did you go to school where you learned to spell like that?"

4)For promotional purposes Reyes got "Schwartzed" by Swartz. It just lends itself better to the pun.

Anonymous said...

Condolences to judicial appointee Douglas Chumbley. He lost his father yesterday.

Anonymous said...

Boy is everyone happy that Jeff did not become a judge.

Sorry, Izzy... you are a great guy but, the idea of Judge Jeff again makes even republican governors sick.

I say we appoint Izzy to the supreme court instead.

Anonymous said...

may the swartz be rid you.

Anonymous said...

Agreed, we like Izzy, but do not like Swartz. I wonder if the Swartz manuever was the last nail in the coffin of Reyes for the DCA. If I was Reyes, I would be a bit pissed at Swartz. By the way, has Swartz officially withdrawn as he promised. I'm sure he'll be switching groups and running for an open circuit slot in September.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

CAMPAIGN UPDATE - BREAKING NEWS

Last week, I reported on the Group 80 contest:

GROUP 80 - CIRCUIT

Rima Bardawil, 8 years; yes 8 years.

Abigail Cynamon, 16 years, president-elect of FAWL and yes she does work for the Eleventh Circuit Court as an attorney.

Catherine Parks, 22 years, ran unsuccessfully for Judge in 2004, losing in a runoff to Judge William Thomas.

Well, it just got a bit more crowded as Marisa Tinkler Mendez joined the group as a fourth challenger for this new Circuit Court seat. Ms. Mendez has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1986.

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

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

CAMPAIGN UPDATE #2:

Also last week, The Captain asked Swartz, a question:

"Second, one of the finalists for 3rd DCA job was Circuit Court Judge Israel Reyes; (the others were AUSA Lisette Reid, AUSA Hugo Black III, Sanford Bohrer and Douglas Stein). Reyes, up for reelection this year, drew opposition in the "eleventh hour"; or 11:58 am to be exact, on the final day of qualifying, from former County Court Judge Jeffrey Swartz. Swartz vowed not to spend any money on the campaign and to withdraw from the race should Judge Reyes not get the 3rd DCA appointment.

So, Mr. Swartz, what say you ....
IN or OUT .............

We are still waiting for an answer.....

CAPTAIN OUT .....

Anonymous said...

Just sit back for a minute and look at the qualifications of Reemberto Diaz - 26 year lawyer, respected by the prosecutors, defense lawyers, and judges.

and then look at all these other idiots running or looking ot be appointed.

You get it now?

It's not about more hispanics or other minorities, or anything else - its about qualifications. Very few if any people running or looking to get appointed come close to having the qualifications of Reemberto Diaz.

THAT is the point.

Rumpole said...

Mr/Ms. poster above (re: appointment of Reemberto) TAKE A BOW. YOU GET IT.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS:

While I have never been a great fan of the JNC or Gov. Jeb, I must report the facts - and to 4:38 PM, here are the facts:

The next seat that the Gov. will appoint is the vacancy resulting from the resignation of Judge Fredricka Smith.

The names on the short list are:

Douglas Chumbley, 24 years

Edith Osman, 23 years

Alan Sackrin, 24 years

Flora Seff, 26 years

Mary Jo Toussaint, 18 years

(Reemberto Diaz, 26 years was the 6th name)

So, at least for this appointment as well as that of Judge Leyte-Vidal's replacement (Diaz), the JNC and the Gov. seem to be doing a good job.

I think Ms. Seff could soon be Judge Seff ... what do you think?

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

David Oscar Markus said...

Rumpole,

Not true -- the hospitality suite was free (sponsored by FACDL-Miami). If you weren't there, you missed a good time.

Best,

DM

Anonymous said...

Douglas Chumbley, 24 years - DOING WHAT?

Edith Osman, 23 years - DOING WHAT?

Alan Sackrin, 24 years - DOING WHAT?

Flora Seff, 26 years - ASA - definitely qualified and if appointed, find out what division she's in and plea out all your cases before she gets there.

Mary Jo Toussaint, 18 years - Felony Screening Expert.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

NORTH OF THE BORDER:

In case anyone cares, there are two new Circuit and four new County Court seats in Broward and the race for each has begun:

In Group 57 - Circuit Court:

John Rayson, 31 years; also presently the Mayor of Pompano Beach; also was a State Legislator from 1990-2000.

In Group 58 - Circuit Court:

Jim Lewis, 25 years; best know as the attorney for Lionel Tate

Marina Garcia Wood, 18 years; best know as the lowest rated General Master in Broward in the 2004 poll.

In the County Court races, there are so many candidates that the Elections Dept. may have to print special ballots:

Group 29 - County Court:

Danielle Levin

Jill Levy

Nick Lopane

Terri-Ann Miller

Group 30 - County Court:

Michele Anne Cavallaro

Alan Marks

Robin Sobo Moselle

Group 31 - County Court:

Ellen Feld

Chris Neilson

Arlene Joy Simon

Group 32 - County Court:

Kelly Reynolds Dell

Brenda Lynn DiLoia

It is interesting to note that, much like Dade County's overwhelming female numbers on the County Court bench; in Broward 9 of the 12 candidates are female.

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

Anonymous said...

when is terri ann miller going to get the message?

Anonymous said...

Rump what you really hate about fed court is that you guys dont run the asylum like you do a mjb. You dont get to whine over and over about the state being unreasonable and have someone actually take you seriously. you cant count on mistakes because the AUSA's have a small caseload that allows them to properly prepare, a luxury afforded few at the SAO.
I know life is rough out there but please quit whining like an eight year old.

Anonymous said...

a civil suit was filed today against this blog did you get the news

Anonymous said...

uggggggg mcgillis strikes

Anonymous said...

there is no truth to that statement; there has been no lawsuit

Anonymous said...

Rumpole only accepts service via electronic filing by the way!

Anonymous said...

Rumpole is a Judge who was in the REGB, but is now at Civil. This is why he could not Blog. There you go, another case solved.

Anonymous said...

I too was at the Ocean Reef seminar
held by the Fed PD's and I had to keep asking myself, do these people
remember who they represent? Being
of color, I had the distinct feeling that my kind hasn't been welcomed there for too long. Except
ofcourse as the help.

Stuffy does not even begin to describe this place.

Anonymous said...

Nah, what would make you think that? The fact that we only have about 10 Black Judges on the Bench or the fact no one defends them?

Anonymous said...

STATE OF FLORIDA
COMMISSION ON ETHICS
Meeting Thursday, July 24, 2003, 8:00 a.m.
Florida Department of Transportation Auditorium
605 Suwannee Street
Tallahassee, Florida

12. CONSIDERATION OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE APPEALS

HEARINGS
Appeal No. Appellant

10 FD02-398 Shirlyon J. McWhorter bjw

Seems Judge Dred has been having problems with The Commission on Ethics:
http://www.ethics.state.fl.us/ethics/meeting_agendas/Jul03.pdf

Anonymous said...

I have to disagree with those posters who somehow think that the number of years someone has been a member of the Florida Bar (august institution that it is) is relevant to whether or not one would make a good judge.

In case you haven't noticed, take a look around, Miami is rather wanting in the brain power department. IQ is far from our most abundant natural resource. So if someone truly smart like a Bronwyn Miller or a Katie Phang comes along, thank god, wonder what she is doing in Miami, and appoint/elect her to the bench. Because in the end, what this city really needs is SMART judges. We have far too few of those.

Anonymous said...

Miller and Phang smart?

Anonymous said...

they both went to ivy league schools. how dumb can they be?

Anonymous said...

what 10:12 p.m. meant was you don't have to be from the old testament to be a good judge..."experience" doesn't equate necessarily to just age

Anonymous said...

Didn't they both go to UM law?

Anonymous said...

I prefer Rodney Smith or Mike Grieco smart.

Anonymous said...

Mary Jo Toussaint has not seen a courtroom in 18 years..Does she even know where the REGJB is?

Anonymous said...

Smart Judges? How about a Judge who has had enough life experiences to not be a jerk. Do not be such a TURD! BHB has been in the Florida Bar as a Charter Member and look what a peace of crapp that man was and still is. It is a shame when you see all of these St. Thomas and Nova people getting on the Bench. Go figure. TURD City!

Anonymous said...

I have a question. If good law students get hired in the good firms, why would a State Attorney or Public Defender be thought of as being possibly good judges? I mean, it seems crazy to turn down $100,000 to make $35,000. That reasoning is crazy as it is crazy to think that someone would make less than $100,000 for 10 years and then run for Judge. Seems like bottom feeders to me. May I have some good reasoning as to why this seems to be the thought process of this Blog?

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of elitist crap!!!

Anonymous said...

Good lawyers make good judges, regardless of where you went to law school. Whether you like BHB or KFR or not, their lawyers are in court every day and are much better prepared for the bench than those that do not have that experience on their resume. And some people do that job beyond the 3 year committment because they actually do believe in the idea of public service. Bottom feeders my ass, you sanctimonious greedy little sh*t.

Anonymous said...

I can only think of a handfull of great criminal practitioners who did not work for either the pdo, sao, fpdo.

Anonymous said...

P.D.'s and S.A.'s see the inside of the courtroom on a daily basis. But even as a pure civil litigator, I'm hardly a greenhorn around the courthouse.

I agree that a potential judge needs to have been in front of a jury more than once. But there's more to being a good judge than being a good trial attorney.

Anonymous said...

Take for example about life experiece, North of tbe Border....incredible amout of people running for judge, including Kelly Reynolds Dell, a 31 year old baby that would not know a life experience if it hit her in the head. Nice person , but no idea of what the world has in store.

Anonymous said...

IQ not a natural resource in Miami? South Florida is probably second only to the Northeast in world wide centers of intelligence. Look at the that brain power packed into the REG on any given day!!!

Anonymous said...

South Florida is probably second only to the Northeast in world wide centers of intelligence.

For comedic effect, that needed repeating.

Rumpole said...

Rumpole is laughing too hard to properly respond to that last gem.

Anonymous said...

Katie Phang-- are you insane?? That's the last person who needs to be on the bench! She's a huge egomaniac who is very indiscreet and exercises extremely poor judgment. She's a big ass (and other body parts) kisser of judges.

Anonymous said...

can somone please, please tell the honorable adrien we, as lawyers, don't need to be babysat, nor do we need the constant micro management???? Why 4 reset days for one case? Does this man really think I want to come to his courtroom 4 times just to take a plea. This is why we need judges who have some, if not a lot of, experience in practicing criminal law before being a know-it-all, butthead and sanctimonious judge. The robe does not make you smarter. it's just a robe. get over the indignation already.
Respectfully, of course.

Anonymous said...

I call for an entire post to be dedicated to Judge Adrien. He should have been the first recipient of a judicial indictment, not Thomas.

Anonymous said...

Dear 11:57...Good law students go to private firms? First off, have you ever heard the saying that in Law School, A students become professors, B students become lawyers, and C students become millionaires? Law school grades have almost no correlation to intelligence, legal ability, or ability to do well as a lawyer. Secondly, I worked at the PDO. DO you know how hard it is to get a job there. they hire about 15 people a year, half of whom come from northeastern schools (NYU, Yale, Penn, Columbia, Georgetown were all represented in last years class). The other spots go to interns who did a great job from the local schools. Lastly, some people have a pssion for public interest work, trial experience, and/or criminal law. Those people would have little desire to go to a large firm. A lot of those lawyers have turned down huge offers to remain where they are. One of the PDO supervisors left to go to Greenberg, and came back to the PDO after a year because the money was not enough for him to leave a job that he loved for a job that he hated. You are way off base.

Anonymous said...

Circuit Group 80. I'll cast my vote for Parks. I've heard she's smart and ethical and has been around for quite awhile. However, she has little or no criminal experience, but neither do any of the other candidates in that race. She's also a nurse according to the Herald, so she's probably even a nice person. I heard that Rima Bardivil(sp?) flunked out of one law school and barely got accepted into another one. Is this who we want for a judge? As for Cynamon, if she thinks that FAWL will win her an election, she should think again. A handful of female lawyers don't add up to many votes in a huge county like M-D in the overall scheme of things. Mendez? Who is she? In the other races, Manno and Marin will not be unopposed for long, so they should get over it if they think they can get their seats by default. Swartz should run against Manno. He'd beat the pants off her, no pun intended, especially since the Blacks all hate her for suing one of her Black consultants after the last race. Check the court records-it's all there--Manno v. Bromfeld(field? stein? something like that). The Af-Amer community is on a mission to make sure she loses. Marin is all right, but not necessarily a winner. That's my read on things.

Anonymous said...

Manno is super hot though. She has my vote.

Anonymous said...

C students do make the $. I am proud of my 2.9, my 30 hour work week, my not having a boss, and a low six figure income. not that shabby for a 4th year atty.

Anonymous said...

yeah, manno's droopy face is really hot

Anonymous said...

I think it is safe to say that most of the good young defense attorneys in town are pd's. They are not all great, but some are really impressive.

Anonymous said...

What grades did BHB and KFR get and what schools did they attend? Captain, you are the man with the facts. What organizations did they belong to and what else is there to know Sir?

Anonymous said...

11:57 raises some interesting points, although I think he/she is dead wrong. Just to flesh the issue out a bit, I pose the following questions:

1. Do attorneys with better pedigrees tend to be better trial lawyers, as 11:57 suggests?
My answer is no. Trying cases isn't rocket science. It takes personality and people skills more than book smarts.

2. Do attorneys with better pedigrees turn out to be better judges?
This one might be a closer call.

3. How important is trial experience for being a good trial judge?

4. Would you rather have a younger judge with less life experience but a ton of trial experience or an older one with less (or no)trial experience but more life experience?

Anonymous said...

Id like a judge who shows up on time and doesnt act like a jerk.

Everything else is irrelevant

Anonymous said...

When you have no life experience, you treat everyone like crapp and you think you deserve everything. Hence, young ASA's that come from wealthy families (most) and those who are not used to our richly diverse County. I have seen people witnesses who cannot speak English treated like dirt. Always arguing with the Judge as well as being a total pain in the ass.

It is like this, a whore who has been on the boulevard for 10 years may have turned many tricks, that does not mean she/he is good at it or has been doing it correctly. It just means she is willing to get screwed or be screwed no matter who it is as long as they pay.

I rather have a diverse person who has caught metro rail, help a job (not as a waiter neither), is bilingual or at least tries, drives or drove a cheap car and who still speaks to the cleaning crew as well as the security guard. The robe can turn lawyers into monsters. A Law Degree can turn people into JERKS. You know who you are.

Anonymous said...

I disagree with your statement that most ASAs come from wealthy families. Most ASAs run out of money by the 22nd or 23rd of the month and can't afford brand name cereal.

Anonymous said...

Manno hot? you gotta be kidding, unless you're talking about her hot temper. I'd hate to be before her if she's in a bad mood. And trying to fool people into thinking she's hispanic. manno a manno? A sweet lady like Cynamon should run against her.

Anonymous said...

What's with Hector Lombana being everyone's campaign treasurer? Isn't it improper or at least have the appearance of impropriety for him to be on the 3rd DCA JNC and at the same time serve as campaign treasurer? It would seem as if that would be a tacit endorsement by the JNC. This is wrong. He should be reported.

Anonymous said...

Cathy Parks was named one of the top attys by the South Florida Legal Guide. That would seem to be a good thing.

Anonymous said...

Parks should run against Manno. Talk about a cat fight!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, Manno would start her name calling, just like she did with Judy Rubinstein.

Anonymous said...

But Cathy is too nice to talk back

Anonymous said...

She doesn't need to. She's got tons of money and will outspend Manno or anyone else.

Anonymous said...

who are all you people with no time on your hands but to write this stuff? But now i'll add in my 2 cents worth. I'd put Ridawil or Mendez who ever they are against Tony Marin, Cynamon against Manno, and let Parks take whatever is left over.

Anonymous said...

Ridawil and Parks will have a tough time if they're in the same race b/c they're both named Catherine. And we know that the public is easily confused.

Anonymous said...

yeah, but a name like rima?

Anonymous said...

Kramer was the PD supervisor in question and he left Greenburg b/c he is a very lazy person and he missed sucking off the government's nipple.

Anonymous said...

I'm still voting for Cathy Parks no matter who runs against her. Plus, Parks has paid her dues, having run once before and getting over a quarter million votes. I'm going with a winner who also happens to be smart and a nice person. I can't say the same about most of the other candidates, even those whose names have just been sent to the governor for appointment.

Anonymous said...

Kramer is awesome...you are an asshole Lonnie.

Anonymous said...

What's with Hector Lombana being everyone's campaign treasurer? Isn't it improper or at least have the appearance of impropriety for him to be on the 3rd DCA JNC and at the same time serve as campaign treasurer? It would seem as if that would be a tacit endorsement by the JNC. This is wrong. He should be reported.

THEN WHY DONT YOU "REPORT" HIM YOU WIMP?

Anonymous said...

Please tell me someone is gonna run against that arrogant Marin guy.

Anonymous said...

Leave Marin alone. Why should do you pick on him aside from the FAT PIG treasurer part?

Anonymous said...

You guys need to get a life. Hector Lombana gives a damn about the judiciary which is more than I can say about a lot of the bloggers here. He wants diversity and he wants competency. They are not mutually exclusive goals. He has supported latins, anglos and blacks who are qualified by experience and commitment to this community. He has supported gay as well as straight, jews as well as gentiles, males and females too. So don't tell me he's only about this community or that community. I don't always agree with the candidates he supports but I respect his commitment to making our judiciary better. Calling him names because he's doing something about having a judiciary of integrity is childish. If you want to do something about the judiciary, actions speak louder than words.

Anonymous said...

You are correct. I will see about having a demonstration outside his office and then you can apologize.

The man is stupid sexist fat pig and that is that. Maybe a good ambulance chaser, but a horrible elitist human being who is blinded by memories of a most likely bullied pass. Unfortunately, what he thinks is the best for the judiciary is only an opinion and we are all entitled to one. He, breaks the law, holds secret meeting to oust candidates and to scare them. Read the rules buddy, he has broken them all repeatedly. The question with him is not if he will be investigated ever, but what number of agencies will come after him. Once his opinion became sexist, money oriented as well as abusive, he lost his standing in the community.

Anonymous said...

he hasn't lost any standing in the community. he is a revered leader of our community who is concerned with preserving a diverse, competent judiciary. he is brilliant and dedicated.

Anonymous said...

Like an Asshole, everyone has an opinion. By the way, no one knows him or cares for him aside from you lost Corner Guayabera Anglos.

Anonymous said...

To 12:28:52....Juan, you truly are the as*hole you describe. As a cuban-american (and proud of it) you bring shame to all of us. Your arrogance and disrespect for people is your downfall. You blame others when you fail and never look in the mirror to see it is your own fault. Your candidates will lose because you are a loser with no cajones to do it right. Now that you've ruined your career goal of law school (or was that just bullsh*t too?) you need to be finding a good lawyer. Perhaps a quick plea deal will keep you out of jail, but alas, all the judges despise you and they have to sign off on it. Too bad.

Anonymous said...

I for one am sick of the comments about diversity. If we think about what Martin Luther King said that we should be judged by the quality of our character and not by the color of our skin, then ethnic (or gender, or sexual, for that matter) orientation should not even come into play. I am a White non hispanic (straight) female who has judicial aspirations, but I don't think I can ever attain my dream in Miami-Dade County because everyone is so hell-bent on making sure that Hispanics, Haitians, gays, and others are on the bench so as to insure diversity. Heck, I'm the minority in M-D county. What about my rights?

Anonymous said...

Very well said.

Anonymous said...

Kinda makes Lombana look stupid, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

Why has no one filed to run against Manno and Marin? Both are lousy candidates.

Anonymous said...

I agree with:

Anonymous said...
Kinda makes Lombana look stupid, doesn't it?

Thursday, June 22, 2006 11:29:56 AM

Anonymous said...

I agree with this as well and wonder when:

Anonymous said...
What's with Hector Lombana being everyone's campaign treasurer? Isn't it improper or at least have the appearance of impropriety for him to be on the 3rd DCA JNC and at the same time serve as campaign treasurer? It would seem as if that would be a tacit endorsement by the JNC. This is wrong. He should be reported.

THEN WHY DONT YOU "REPORT" HIM YOU WIMP?

Wednesday, June 21, 2006 2:38:34 PM

It may not be illegal, but it sure smells bad. A tacit endorsement from the JNC.

Anonymous said...

It's just plan ole wrong.

Anonymous said...

Don Cohn and Cathy Parks were the only candidate 2 years ago who lodged complaints against D'Arce. Wonder if they'll do the same against Lombana?

Anonymous said...

No, I don't think Parks filed a complaint (letter or whatever). Only Cohn.

Anonymous said...

And she's obviously not going to file a complaint against Lombana. I think they used to work together, but am not sure.

Anonymous said...

Cathy Parks is a lady of integrity. She never filed a complaint against anyone. Don on the other hand did. Seems he only wanted to donate monies to his Lions Club as per his campaign report and his request for other clubs to endorse his candidacy even though he knew it was wrong and put them at risk.

He is named Cohn like the Gorilla. Will 2006 bring him the same fate as King Kong?

Anonymous said...

It is simple, he is on the JNC and that makes anyone feel intimidated. He can ruin your campaign and ruin your chances to get appointed if you apply. Obviously, there needs to be a rule regarding JNC members put in place and quick.

Anonymous said...

don't give Lombana so much credit. He has supported many more people who haven't been appointed or elected than otherwise

Anonymous said...

The bottom line is that there are 2 people in this town that control who becomes a judge - John Rivera and Hector Lombana - they are the kingmakers.

No one writing on this stupid blog will do anything about that

So shut up, and become their friends if you want to be a judge. That's the way it is.

Anonymous said...

That's the stupidest thing I've heard all week. If that's the case, Marin and Parks just got elected.

Anonymous said...

Cathy Parks and Hector Lombana must be tight since they used to work together. And Rivera loves Parks, I've heard Marin? I dont know anything.

Anonymous said...

I'm going to bed. Miami-Dade's politics is crazy. Just give it to Parks (who has no credible opponents) and Marin (who is presently unopposed). Nobody cares about the other races, it's pretty obvious. GO MARIN, GO PARKS. AND I'll throw a Robin FABER and a Don COHN in there for good luck, as well. Swartz can kiss my ass. And Manno is very bad news. She will have opposition.

Anonymous said...

Yeah poor manno was unopposed last time until 2 minutes before the deadline when Judy rubinstein filed against her. And beat her badly. It'll happen again. she's just a 3rd rate lawyer with 0 trial experience.

Anonymous said...

It is simple, Hector Lombada is a sitting member of the JNC, That can make anyone feel intimidated. He can ruin your campaign and ruin your chances to get appointed if you apply when he does not like you. What he uses is a simple as well as tacit approval that goes unspoken to created problems for qualified individuals. Hector pushes his 400 pounds as if he could get someone elected and to be honest ladies and gentleman, the naive as well as novice side with him and there you go since he is telling the Governor who should be a Judge. It is illegal support via the JNC route. Why do you think he is the only JNC member in the trenches embarrassing the Governor, being a Treasurer, Political Consultant, Lobbyist, Web Master, Campaign Consultant, Finance Committee, Blogger and most of all King Kong size intimidator?

Obviously, there needs to be a rule regarding JNC members and if they should be supporting candidates as it smells bad and creates bad notions for the JNC. A regulation, state statute or something that keeps JNC members in place needs to be created and quick. It may not be illegal (Is the JNC supervised by the Cannons?) but is sure seems unethical as well abusive. Some of the other actions are sure to be illegal.

I am voting against anyone who sides with this unethical man. Hope you agree and do the same.

Anonymous said...

I like Valerie Manno. She is going to win and I am going to support her this time. Valerie, I got your back you fine looking lady. ;-)

Anonymous said...

ditto for cathy parks. She is definitely going to win.

Anonymous said...

Rumbold, you're absolutely right. Whoever makes nasty comments about any of the candidates, especially their gender, drug use, or whatever, should be off-limits. You're right to delete them.

Anonymous said...

Parks should run against Marin. She'd beat him b/c the Hispanics aren't going to vote in this election.

Anonymous said...

That's not true. why would yiu say that?

Anonymous said...

B/c ther's no Hispanics who interest them. For governor? Smith, Davis, Gallagher, and Christ? Does that interest any Hispanics? i don't think so...

Anonymous said...

Cathy Parks is good too.

Anonymous said...

But there's going to be big money spent to get out the hispanic vote.

Anonymous said...

manno is bad news

Anonymous said...

Very bad news

Anonymous said...

You people really need to get a life...or is that lives? Why don't you concentrate on what you can do for your clients, stop being so f,,,ing self-centered and egotistical, and focus on becoming respectable, productive members of society instead of spending your time, that your employer is paying you for, writing such bullcrap and insulting one another. Try to add something positive to the legal system intead of contributing to the downfall of society.

Anonymous said...

On November 7th, 2006, the good people of Miami-Dade County and Monroe County will VOTE either Yes or No for the retention of three Judges of the Third District Court of Appeal. Most people do not realize that the Third District Court of Appeal is the last appeal available to the citizens of Miami-Dade County and Monroe County on almost every legal issue. A loss in the Third District Court of Appeal almost always may never be appealed to the Florida Supreme Court, leaving a litigant only one appeal to the United States Supreme Court which will likely be denied very quickly. The United States Supreme Court accepts for review less than 1% of all appeals filed in their court, in addition just the printing cost of the briefs in this court will set you back $5-k.

The Third District Court of Appeal has literally in essence denied almost 50% of all the appeals filed by the citizens of Miami-Dade County and Monroe County, by issuing what is called a PCA, meaning the Court denies the review without any reason. Although the Florida constitution guarantees the right of appeal, the Third District Court of Appeal has side swiped this right by issuing a PCA denial of review. All PCA orders in Florida are NOT reviewable by the Florida Supreme Court and any attempt to seek review by the Florida Supreme Court will be denied on its face by the Clerk of the Florida Supreme Court (this decision is by choice of the current justices of the Florida Supreme Court). As noted filing an appeal to the United States Supreme Court is basically useless.

This November 7th, 2006, is the opportunity for the Voters of Miami-Dade County and Monroe County to send a message to the Third District Court of Appeal that we will not tolerate not being allowed meaningful appeals. An appeal is a right guaranteed by the Florida constitution, for example you could lose your, freedom, child custody, house, life savings and so much more by a trial court who might not follow the law and on appeal the Third District Court could simply say PCA without any explanation. Some have written on the subject that it is because of lazy Judges that sit on the Third District Court of Appeal that over 50% of the appeals are PCA denied without reason.

Miami-Dade County has been known as the capital of judicial corruption since the F.B.I. sting of the 90's titled "Operation Court Broom" that nailed several Miami-Dade Judges who took money bribes to fix the results of cases. In Miami it means so much more to get meaningful due process and provided a reason why you lose your freedom, house, car, life savings, etc;. When justice does not work in a town full of history of corrupt Judges it gives the appearance of impropriety. A detailed account of “Operation Court Broom” and the resulting indictments and trials, including the trial of Judge Sepe, is contained in the opinion in United States v. Shenberg, 89 F.3d 1461 (11th Cir. 1996), cert. denied sub nom. Sepe v. United States, 117 S.Ct. 961 (1997). CLICK HERE to read the details of this case.

No appeals Judge in any Florida appeals court has ever been removed by the voters. We believe it takes 51% of the voters to vote "NO" for the Judge to be removed. For a list of all the current Judges on the Third District Court of Appeal with picture and biography, CLICK HERE .

Here are the names of the Judges up for retention on November 7, 2006 :

Judge Leslie B. Rothenberg - Vote Yes or No

Campaign Treasurer:

Ramon A. Abadin, Esquire.

Judge Angel A. Cortiñas - Vote Yes or No

Campaign Treasurer:

Elena Maria Almeyda

Judge Richard J. Suarez - Vote Yes or No
Campaign Treasurer:

Steve Goldston

Anonymous said...

hey, does anyone know the email address of judge Diaz? i have a couple of questions regarding a case that i would like some answers for.
any info is much apreciated

Anonymous said...

We are fortunate to have Reemberto on the bench.

We need more guys like Judge Diaz in the robe. Not because he is a former defense lawyer..cause he was a former prosecutor also. But b/c he is one of the few Judges who will have the cojones do the right thing...whatever that is on a particular case.