The Honorable Leonard Glick wrote in last week with a comment that was overlooked because it was on a post that was old. We think it deserves a front page post.
Judge Glick wrote:
Sad reality # 1 is that running for judicial office is the equivalent of an advertising/marketing event.
Sad reality # 2 is that the public does not know, or in many instances does not care, about the qualifications of their candidates.If you step back as a casual observer of the election scene you realise that it is a promotional event, not unlike the launching of a new product on the shelf of a supermarket.What will your ad campaign do to promote you and separate you from all the similar products on the shelf (all the other lawyers in your race)?
Will it be a cute catch phrase, i.e. "Tough on crime" ?
Will it be a catchy color scheme,Dolphin Colors,(you have to have some color scheme,after all, for your ad, why not Dolphin colors) to liven up your flyers,billboard or TV ad?
Sad reality # 3 of the election process is that NAMES COUNT.
Since the public realy can't distinguish one candidate from another, they vote according to Name, Ethicity, Gender and any other criteria short of qualifications and experience.Every once and awhile qualified candidates and a good ad campaign gel, and the public gets the best of the best. It's not as rare as you think.
Sad reality # 4 is always overiding in the election process, and that is that the "law of the jungle" applies to these campaigns.
1.Judges do not own these jobs.
2.Candidates for office are going to look for the"weakest wildebeast" on the plain to attack, and if that's a sitting judge who everyone loves and is perfect for the job, but is weak in the "fundraising" Dept. or has a name not reflective of the voting majority, then that person will be a target for the judicial predator.
"That's a fact Jack", to quote Bill Murray in STRIPES,the movie, and no amount of wishing will make these facts go away.
In a perfect world it would be otherwise, but the last time I looked at MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA it was not a perfect world.
That's just my opinion....I could be wrong.
Judge Lenny Glick,
"HE WHO MUST BE OBEYED"
P.S. Glad to see that you, RUMPOLE, by editing the blogsite, have potentialy moved it to a higher level of information.
Thanks for your time.
Rumpole briefly notes that any Judge who does not waste his time reading boring legal opinions but can quote from Stripes, is our kind of jurist.
When you see something that is not right, not fair, find a way to get in the way and cause trouble. Congressman John Lewis
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48 comments:
why the delay? your blog has lost its luster. over the next months, you will notice a sharp decline in readership. why? because people like to respond to other peoples posts instantly. it gives your blog a certain buzz which does not exist with comment moderation. as a great irish links golfer once said, " find your game lad".
Re: Judge Glicks comments:
Many of us having been saying the same thing over and over during the last few weeks.
However, I don't agree with part of his opinion under #4. I don't think it's a "sad" reality that judges don't own these jobs. I think that's a very good thing. There are judges who should not be on the bench for a 2nd or 3rd term. Let them work to keep their jobs the same way the rest of us have to.
Interesting comment by Glick in a number of respects, including the grammatical and spelling errors.
SAD REALITY #5:
There's only one Judge Glick! Can you imagine how much better things would be if we had even a few more like him?
NORTH OF THE BORDER UPDATE:
It just got even more interesting up north in the race for a open seat in Circuit Court.
Dade County Assistant PD Michele Towbin, an attorney for 18 years, and a resident of Hollywood, has filed to run for judge.
The new seat, Group 57, now includes the following candidates:
Lopez , Samuel D.
Rayson , John C.
Towbin , Michele
Towbin joins a tough race with Samuel Lopez, a Pembroke Pines attorney for nine years and John Rayson, a member of the Florida Bar for 30 years. Rayson has been Mayor of Pompano Beach since 2004 and served as a State Legislator from 1990-2000.
Good luck to Michele.
CAPTAIN OUT ............
BREAKING NEWS - DADE POLITICS
Does Abigail Cynamon know something that we don't know yet? Why do I ask .....
Mrs. Cynamon earlier filed her name as a candidate for Circuit Court Judge in the newly created Group 80. She drew opponents in Rima Bardawil, Catherine Parks, and Marisa Tinkler Mendez.
Ms. Cynamon also submitted her name to the JNC for a recent interview for two open County Court seats. The JNC sent 12 names to Gov. Jeb for consideration. Cynamon is one of those 12 finalists.
The Breaking News is that Ms. Cynamon has withdrawn her name from the Circuit Court election; at least for now. The Gov. is not expected to name the two new County Court Judges before the filing deadline of July 21, ...
so Ms. Cynamon, what is your plan ?????
CAPTAIN OUT .................
So true Judge Glick! Sad, but true. Just think, you were elected and you still feel this way. You are one of the Judges who got elected and DESERVED to be on the bench, very rare case these days!! Stay on the bench as long as you can so that justice will continue.
Judge Glick's Kung Fu is strong !
If He Who Must Be Obeyed is your idea of "our kind of jurist," perhaps we need to review your criteria of what makes a good Judge and then we can more appropriately measure If Leonard Glick measures up. I am dubious at best that he would. His skewed, lopsided and heartless view of the world, perhaps explained by his "lost baby," sorrowful upbringing is hardly my kind of jurist. The sharp even-minded disposition of Farina or Emas, perhaps, but Glick, I guess you have not witnessed his unflinching rigidity.
Very well said, Judge Glick. This is exactly why Judge Bruce Levy lost to (now Judge) Barbara Areses (SP?), why Judge Henry Harnage lost to (now Judge) Peter Adrien, why Judge Schartz (SP?) lost to (now Judge) Ada Pozo Rivella, and why Catherine Parks lost to (now Judge William Thomas, albeit during the election William Tomas). It just matters who shows up to vote and what their ethnicity and/or gender is. Qualifications, the Miami Herald endorsement, or any endorsements, for that matter, mean very little or maybe nothing.
you're right.
THIS IS A PETITION TO REINSTATE THE BLOG TO ITS PAST FREE SELF WHERE PERSONS WERE FREE TO COMMENT AND BLOG AS THEY WISHED WITHOUT WAITING DAYS TO READ COMMENTS.
Captain:
Cynamon dropped out because she was caught between a rock and a hard place.
If she wanted to run for office, she had to resign her position as law clerk by @ July 14. She didn't want to do that... she was counting on keeping her job while running. This was nixed by the state court administrator. She apparently decided that it was better to keep her job as a law clerk than make a futile run against Parks.
That leaves Cynamon twisting in the breeze, hoping Jeb comes through. This is unlikely.
- She hasn't had a jury trial in twelve years, (if ever).
- There's no reason to expect conservative governor to appoint a marginally qualified female, jewish liberal to a county-court already disproportionately female.
- Sending up Cynamon's name is more of a courtesy than a real nomination. After all, she does advise on all sorts of litigation. Gonzalo Dorta wouldn't want try a case in front of Judge Genden, with Cynamon at his side, knowing that he'd just rejected her 33rd application for judgeship.
Judge Glick really nailed the sad election reality on the head. In a country that touts its self world wide as a model of freedom, we still seem slave to racial divides.
I agree w/ 9:54 that Jg. Glick's comments explain what happened with regard to Jg. Levy and Jg. Harnage. Good judges who shouldn't have lost. With regard to Jg. Swartz v. Pozo, it seems like most of the comments on this blog have been very anti-Swartz. If he couldn't get support from those who practice in front of him, how could he expect to win? And I think Parks advertised herself better than Thomas yet she lost. Isn't Thomas black? How could he win in Miami over a female? (sarcasm).
I agree with the above. Parks has (by rumor) just resigned from her law firm to campaign on a full-time basis.
Cathy Parks is a friend of mine. She just called to tell me that she resigned from her firm today. Plans to campaign 24/7!
smart girl!
The sad truth in Judge Glick’s remarks is not that judges have to run for their seats
And work to keep their jobs. His point is that a qualified, respected Jurist can be unseated
By a five year lawyer who has never actually been in a courtroom.
Our uneducated voters don’t know who either candidate is, so they pick a name that sounds good.
That anyone would dare cast a vote in an election with out knowing who the candidates are or what they stand for shows that the Founding Fathers had it right. Voting is too important to be left to those who would vote only by color scheme, (Dolphins, U. of M., or Halloween).
In a system where the vote of a PhD in political science counts the same as that of a profoundly retarded person you are likely to get some unfortunate results
Cathy Parks would be a very fair judge.
What's the scoop on the other stooges (besides Gonzalez) that D'Arce put to run against incumbent Judges
to hell with all of you glick haters out there. why is it that whenever there is a pro-state judge on the bench the readers of this blog act feel the need to bash someone like glick. ASA's dont log on to this blog and feel the need to bash those judges who they think are weak. you defense attorneys act like spoiled rotten rich kids who cry when dadddy doesnt buy them a lexus at 16 when there is a judge who has the nerve to actually say "no" to you guys.
whatever you think of Glick, and yes he is state oriented, there can be no intellectually honest argument that he is not qualified to a circuit court judge. to all your moronic glick haters would you really rather have someone who has practiced law for five years and has never tried a case as opposed to Glick? While The answer to that question should be obvious, to the spoiled rotten children who are the criminal defense bar you probably would prefer an unqualified 31 year old lawyer becuase they wouldnt be so hard on you.
Yeah, Parks did a good job last time, as she worked really hard and advertised heavily. No one can explain how she lost to Thomas, and most of the current judges are soundly critical of Thomas. Maybe she'll make it this time.
Cynanmon didn't stand a chance of winning anyway, especially against Catherine Parks. That's why she really dropped out. Mendez and Ritzawill would do well to follow suit. Or they should run against Manno or Marin, both of whom have tons of baggage. What do you think?
You'd think that the Glick haters don't live in our community....
Get a grip guys. Having a law and order type on the bench is a good thing for those of us with family and friends whose lives mean something to us.
You may think that the pro-defense judges are good for you business (God only knows they are), but you're at least working here. We need at least some strong judges who care about public safety. Can you imagine if everyone dumped cases or gave people a break indiscriminently like Barzee, Pando, etc.? Crime would be out of control.
E scarz me to tink que Tony marin es goin to be a shudghe.
I am a PD, and I like Glick a lot. he's tough, but respectful. if you know your stuff, he will give you a fair break, and will always give a good trial. He is also very honest.
im not spolied, i rolled in a ten year old piece of crap when i was sixteen. (still rollin in a bucket). i am a member of the defense bar. i think glick is too state oriented for my personal tatse, but you can not deny the man is qualified. he also wrote a rather smart paragraph or two on the sad state of elections in miami.
when you group ALL of a group together, you show ignorance. imagine saying that ALL members of a race thought the same way, or all men are bad drivers.
if you dont like some defense attorneys, thats fine. im sure i dont either. make a logical post, dont group us all together, and you will earn a little more credibiblity.
when you say ALL of us cried at 16 when we didnt get a lexus, it sort of takes the "oomph" out of any other points you may wish to convey.
have a safe and fun weekend.
I wrote "besides Gonzalez" because everyone knows his status already.......Looooooooooooony
Manno has no opposition? If not she should.
9:04:52 poster: Are you serious? First, I'll refer you to the barrage of anti-Pando posts on this blog. More than quite a few ASA's bashed her pretty well and based their bashing on the fact that she's defense-oriented. Moreover, plenty of ASA's have logged on here to bash other judges that they thought were defense oriented.
Second, I think it's pretty safe to say that defense-oriented judges are a minority. Although I have certainly not been before every judge at REGJB, I'd say about 90% of those that I have been in front of are state-oriented. Leifman, for example, never saw a motion to suppress he thought fit to grant. Judge Tunis' courtroom (who's now at juvie) used to be called "the State's oasis" for damn good reason. I could go on and on, but you get the point.
Lastly, at the risk of sounding more that a bit naive, judges should be NEITHER state nor defense-oriented. Their job is to follow the damn law and be NEUTRAL and DETACHED.
I write apropos of your post, "Miami Election Reality". What Judge Glick refers delicately to, in his diplomatic style, is a living reality of the South Florida judicial scene: a thoroughly politicized judiciary. Not only politicized via the elctoral process but just as much so via the appointment of substitute judges. This brings me to question the credentials of Barby Doll Bronwin Miller to become a County Judge and her very accelerated previous promotions through the State Attorney echelons. Who has been sponsoring and mentoring her meteoric ascent since she was a cute rookie ASA, and to what end? It has transpired that possibly those entities intent on her rise may be the very same ones that atempted to intimidate Attorney Goerge Alvarez from pursuing his electoral write-in to Miller's seat
after failing persuation for him to desist. I believe George has earned his spurs preparatory to the bench, a respectable liberal practice of law as an independent defense litigator. I cannot say the same for Miller. She is at best a competent law enforcement deputy, lacking the seasoned balanced credentials of the defense practice of the law.
I agree with 1:20 a.m.
Suit filed by the 11th circuit JNC to try to prevent all 55 newly-created open seats from being elected positions. Gov Bush didn't tell them to do this. Talk about power-hungry!
They don't want Manno in there, it's clear. But Bush knows and likes Parks, which is something Lombana should understand. They shop at the same Publix and hang out together.
Stupid jerks
This is disgusting. I know for a fct that Cathy Parks has already met with her attorneys about possibly filing her own suit.
litigator? alvarez confirmed he has never even had a jury trial. you are funny.
Stop with the Marin bashing. Tony is a really good guy. And stop the BS about him having baggage. Please. He is a competent lawyer who is nice to EVERYBODY. When have you ever seen him be rude to any prosecutor or Judge?...NEVER! As a young prosecutor I appreciated his lack of hostility. He never tried to screw anyone over. Tony will be a welcome presence and at the very least he will displace a Judge with a shitty attitude.
Iko Noklast.......
Re your comments on Bronwyn Miller.
I find it amusing that you would question her "meteoric" rise through the SAO. If you knew anything about the quality of her work, you wouldn't have to ask. She rose quickly because she is smart, fearless and gets along well with everyone (which is why so many prosecutors and defense attorneys support her). Get a clue buddy.
Rump, what's this about a lawsuit?
Educate us. Would this mean that Parks and the others can't run?
Parks is planning to intervene in the lawsuit, I heard.
It's nasty out there. That suit filed by the JNC is crazy. The JNC seems to think it's all-powerful. Probably stupid people behind it. I heard some of the major candidates, Parks included, are thinking about filing a lawsuit and intervening. She' got the @@ to finance it.
nobody knows marin. he should drop out.
Hey mr 538 what drugs do you take before going to court every day? you must be on something pretty specialif you really believe that most judges in Dade County are State oriented.
do you think that in rest of Florida defendants get 4 chances to violate probation before sending them to prison?
Do you think defendants in broward are getting hudreds of (documented in herald) second and third withholds?
Do you think career criminals in other states get offered the lowest permissible sentence so cases get closed?
mr 538 pd/ex-pd quit whining and praise god that you practice in dade and not in broward, if you did you would probably have to be carried out on a stretcher after your first day.
Some ex-pd's, like Tunis and Leifman, feel a need to overcompensate when they get to the bench and turn to state-oriented judges. Some ex-state or police attorneys, like Pando, overcompensate the other way and become defense-oriented judges.
what about that lawsuit? any word Rump?
Leifman is not a pro-state judge. He's a fair guy who follows the law. He's publicly blasted the police for their handling of mental health cases and regularly lectures prosecutors who "don't get it." Just because he follows the rules and doesn't put up with BS, doesn't mean he's "pro-state."
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