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.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Shift Happens

Take six minutes and five seconds from your busy day and watch this.

SHIFT HAPPENS

Shift Happens.


The Shift is happening. What are you going to do about it?


Some mail:

A reader asks why there have not been any comments lately from Judge Blake or Judge P?

Rumpole responds, Judge Blake- an admitted reader of the blog, rarely if ever posts a comment. Judge Pinereo, like the wise and prudent jurist that he is, posts a comment only when he has something to say. A lesson for all of us lawyers when we appear in court.

A reader asks if the font is new. Rumpole replies that this blogger service is free and therefore you get what you pay for. This service from Google, while nice, has hundreds of bugs. For instance, if we create a post and save it, and then edit it and save it, and then open it to edit it again, it reverts to the original post, with the first edits lost. Also, our link button does not work. Never has. When we create a post with links, we have been forced to learn the programing language for this blog and write the program code for a link in the body of the post. As to the font, sometimes it just seems to change and we can't change it back for a while.
Just some of the behind the scenes work here that the average reader doesn't see or care to know about.

As summer is fast upon us, and we find ourselves out on the links more often, or bashing a tennis ball about, we have less "work" time for the blog. Any readers who would like to be a guest with privileges to post on the front page should email us. All we need is an email from your private address and presto- you too can be a blogger. It works in Broward where several attorneys contribute to the blog and there is no reason why we cannot have that here. We first saw the link to the Shift Happens video on the Broward blog with a post by one of the contributors.

See You In Court.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wizard of Id on court appointments.

Anonymous said...

Rumpole - please let us know your thoughts as to why MICHAEL HANZMAN did not get the THIRD DCA judgeship? Did Lombana or some judge have it in for him? This spot was supposed to be his. What are the rumors about this that you hear? Care to write an article on this selection process?

Anonymous said...

Rumpole,
No More "Bong hits 4 Jesus" before work!

Anonymous said...

Hey RUMP!!....why the f do we still use court reporters for criminal trials? Isn't the system of incompetency and irresponsibility getting a little antiquated. I heard another reporter just got held in contempt for being behind on 6 criminal trial transcripts.

Anonymous said...

10:14 this is why dumbo

"Salter, 58, is a partner with Hunton & Williams LLP in Miami. He formerly worked as a partner with Steel, Hector & Davis and later with Coll, Davidson, Carter, Smith, Salter & Barkett. Salter served as a captain in the United States Army and later in the Army Reserves. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Brown University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is a past recipient of the Supreme Court of Florida’s Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award and of the American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award."

although the former partner will steel, hector & davis concerns me. as you know that firm helped George W Bush steal the election from Al Gore. Side note Judge Rotheberg after losing the State Attorney race found herself at steel, hector & davis is a connection made? Word is Rothenberg could use a friend or two at the 3rd DCA.

Anonymous said...

Scene: front door of Herb Walker's home 8:25 PM--just minutes after Judge Adrien's "morning" calendar ends. Frustrated and angry, Herb opens the door...

Herb: Peter!!! Peter!!! Get out here this minute mister!
(no response)
very well then, I guess I'll just have to drag you out by your curly locks. (Herb opens the door of his basement where Judge Adrien, still doning his robe, can be seen cowering in a corner through the darkness. Next to him in his 5 by 10 foot cell is a small neatly made bed with a Milli Vanilli poster hung proudly above the head of the bed.)
Herb: what have you got to say for yourself Peter?
Peter: (in tears) I'm sorry sir, but I had a moment of weakness and just gave in to that defense attorney's request. I'll never do it again...
Herb: you are darn right you won't! just for that, you get no dinner tonight. You know better than to make a court offer without consulting me first!
Peter: But sir, the guy had no priors and it was just a criminal mischief!
Herb: ...and that is why I made him such a generous offer.
Peter: You offered him 366
Herb: damn right I did! he broke someone's car window. That's how Ted Bundy got started! He is an obvious danger to the community and I won't stand by while you give him a measly 5 years of probation!
Peter: I'm sor...
Herb: Who runs courtroom 3-4?!?!?
I said, who runs courtroom 3-4?!?!?
Peter: You do, you do sir!
Herb: And don't you forget it.
(Herb stomps up the stairs and leaves Peter alone to ponder his error in judgement)
Peter: (in tears begins to sing) blame it on the rain...yeah, yeah

Rumpole said...

Word of Mr. Walker's display of anger, and other un-prosecutorial displays has reached us before. We have heard of former prosecutors who covered for Mr. Walker- speak that he was "not reasonable." He is a prosecutor who for a host of reasons worries us. Not his legal skills. His use of his power. We think it is sad if he is before a Judge that would put up with that nonsense, if it is true. Our limited experience in the matter is that we are concerned.

Rumpole said...

In fact- if the PDs in the courtroom are so inclined, it might be helpful if they respond to these allegations.

Anonymous said...

Rumpole- with the pending resignation of Judge Cristina Shuminer this week, for the first time in close to ten years there will not be a Shuminer on the Dade bench. This is a sad day, and in a county that prides itself on diversity, this is a shame. I call upon you to use your considerable resources to prevail upon the governor and have him immediately appiont Alan J Shuminer to Cristina Shuminer's seat, so there will once again be a SHuminer representing Dade on the Circuit bench.

Thank you.

Fake Peter Adrien said...

It is time to recognize that we may not agree with everything our new governor may do (like signing bills to establish an alternate PD's office) but this guy is a straight shooter. The people around him are straight shooters. He does what he believes is right despite the politics.

The choice of Judge Salter was brilliantly conceived. He was the most qualified person on that list, including the (hopefully soon to be forgotten and husband career ending) departed Chris Schuminer. By making the selection of that most qualified candidate, this governor was sending the message to The Godfather and his crew that their day is over.

Crist has let everyone know he does not believe he owes any one ethnic group any more consideration than any other and that money will not buy you judicial happiness. Just one more step on the road of undoing the efforts of our most gladly gone Jeb Bush.

There are a number of judges who, but for major money being contributed to Republican coffers, would not be on the bench or would not have been elevated to Circuit or District Courts. We may save our bench still.

Keep your eye on the JNC appointments. There may be surprises yet to be unveiled.

In the words of Flounder (for you dummys, see "Animal House"): "Boy this is great!!"

See you in the dark alleys of the city re-establishing my faith in the political process.

Fake Peter Adrien said...

Don't dispair about Judge Adrien. Only 1,649 more days until he returns to Greater Miami Legal Services and his $35K@yr job. I promise he will get oppostion. He will be beaten, even if I have to do it myself. But then again, how will you know it is me?

Anonymous said...

Hector (The Godfather) Lomabana walks in the chambers of Former Judge Christina (Little Chris) Schuminer:

The Godfather: Salter! Salter! What the hell is a Salter? Where the hell did this guy come from? This is all your fault. What do you know?

Little Chris: I don't know anything I know they got something going, but I don't know what. This is not my fault. What was I supposed to do?

The Godfather: Don't you understand you were my best chance to try to convince everyone I was still in control? Now everyone knows I lost my influence and that I am impotent. They won't show me respect and kiss my a--. What do I do with all these idiots who think they are my protegees?

Little Chris: I'm the judge. That isn't the way I wanted it. I got passed over for the 3rd once and did not apply another time because you told me not to. I wanted to make my own deals. I am not dependent on you. Not like everyone thinks. I'm smart. I wanted to prove I don't need you.

The Godfather: I want you to leave this courthouse and never come back. If you want to visit my judges, you will have to let me know that you are coming, so I won't be here. You are nothing to me now. You understand? You are not a protegee or a sister. You are nothing.

You want to make money for the schmuck then you have made you choice. Now I am going to go drown my sorrows in a big plate of Picadillo and Rice. You almost make me lose my appetite.

Anonymous said...

why not just appoint gordon shuminer to replace his sister in law?

Anonymous said...

herb walker is an ass clown. keep up the heat rump. he is a total dick.

Anonymous said...

Has it escaped everyone's attention or is everyone afraid to confront the fact that the 5-4 conservative/liberal split in the Supreme Court exactly mirrors the Catholic/non-Catholic split? As much as apologists may wish to scoff off these numbers and relationships, it is a fact and it must be examined.

It is no accident that conservative Republicans have manufactured a more conservative, government oriented Supreme Court by loading it with Catholics. The ecclesiastical organization of the Church as well as its dogma and history reflect a preference for strong, centralized government and a disdain for individual rights. Most Protestant religions are based upon the ideal of individual conscience and, as a consequence, a respect for individual rights. Both the Protestant and Jewish religions have suffered the oppression of state religions, and it is no coincidence that the Constitution and Bill of Rights were written by Non-Conformist Protestants who had lived through the turmoil of persecution by the Church of England.

But now it looks like the Supreme Court wants to help change all of these beliefs and principles, as we can see through the voting patterns of its majority Catholic core. How long before Vatican canons become part of our jurisprudence?

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Shift, can anyone explain why the bathroom cleaning crew believes it makes sense to be cleaning the bathrooms during the highest hours of traffic in the morning, on every floor?

I don't know why they even bother to clean the one on the first floor (male), it permanently stinks.

Anonymous said...

Whoa, yes they call him The Q
(Looka dat, looka dat)
He's a better lawyer than me or you
He'll try your case any day
Get a Not Guilty or a JOA

Oh, yes they call him The Q
(Looka dat, looka dat)
Into prosecutors he strikes fear
juries find him a dear
he'll beat any DUI
ask anybody- he's quite a guy
Oh Yes they call him the Q
(Looka dat, looka dat)

Anonymous said...

oh pleeeese

Anonymous said...

I have wanted to complain about the bathrooms being closed for cleaning at 9:00 for some time. I thought it beneath the dignity of this blog.

Rumpole said...

My dear reader- any topic- large or small- that relates to our lovely building is fair game for the blog. A gentlemen's restroom is an important part of daily civilized life.

Anonymous said...

Have you noticed that the bathrooms are cleaned at the same time in every floor?

Anonymous said...

You got all that from one appointment, batman? You are the ass clown!

Anonymous said...

Whoa, yes they call him The Shummm
(Looka dat, looka dat)
His wife's career has gone zooom
She's getting a big payday
for the Shummm it is no work and all play

Oh, yes they call him The Shumm
(Looka dat, looka dat)
His wife's gonna go far
every day it could be a new car
Oh Yes they call him the Shummm
(Looka dat, looka dat)

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of bullshit. When defense attorneys get excited in court, they're "colorful" or "passionate." When a prosecutor does that, he's "unprofessional." That's a load of shit. Defense attorneys have it so good in Miami, it's sickening. Nobody gets away with the crap you guys do anywhere else in the state. The judges in Miami are soft as butter (and so are some of the prosecutors) so quit crying.

Rumpole said...

You can comment where ever you like, but didn't you mean for your angry diatribe to be in the most current post? Just checking.

Anonymous said...

No Rump, I was responding to the criticim of Herb Walker. It's insane. Defense attorneys jump up and down every day and are revered for their passion. It's nauseating. If prosecutors did half the crap that defense attorneys do, they'd be disbarred.

And, no, this isn't an angry rant. I just think the criticism of prosecutors for being passionate is crap. I'm not a prosecutor (though I was one). For the sake of our community, my family and friends, I sure as hell hope they take their jobs as seriously as I did.

Anonymous said...

Herb Walker has a huge ego for a man who has much to be modest about. In addition, he seems to be quite emotionally unstable, and has hissy fits when he doesn't get his way. Judge Adrien has been told about this REPEATEDLY by others, including other judges. He has been warned about allowing this guy to have way to much power in the courtroom. Unfortunately, Judge P.A. has ignored the repeated warnings of his colleagues and continues to allow his court to be the laughing stock of the REG. Why??? Who the hell know. Can he be that stupid?? Well, actually, yes!!He will pay the price. He will definitely be a one-termer.

Anonymous said...

To 10:07 -

I see that Judge Adrien has joined the debate. Good job Batman.

Fake Peter Adrien said...

It never ceases to amaze me how single minded, myopic and uninformed some posters on this blog are. Does anyone realize there is more going on in this state than what happens in the judiciary of Miami-Dade County?.

Take Anonymous at 10:07 for example. Have you paid any attention to other appointments made to the judiciary of other circuits and counties? Have you paid attention to what happens in Tallahassee on issues other than the judiciary? If you would take you head out of your a-- and look at something other than your own sh---y little world you would realize this governor is sending messages that are unmistakeable.

As I have said, you may not like everything he is doing, but he is doing something. And yes, this one appointment does send a message and the fact that you don't want to hear it, does not change what it says. "The Boys" don't have Rocky "I have no mind of my own" Rodriquez doing their bidding anymore.

There is a new sheriff in town and his name is Charlie Crist and his deputy is Paul Huck, Jr. and they don't have a brother who needs Hispanic votes to get elected (or not elected depending on who counts the votes) President. Start accepting that Crist's priorities are different than our undearly departed Jebbie's and that things are changing. We may be smiling, but we are not laughing because this is really serious stuff.

Anonymous said...

Although I admit I am not happy with the Gov's 3DCA appt, I will say I voted for him and I'm glad I did, as opposed, I am sure, to you. You are an idiot if you got such a message from one appt. I am in touch with what he is doing around the state. If you were so in touch you would know that "The Boys" you refer to were not Rocky's favorites and vice versa.

Anonymous said...

Gee, Rev. Paisley, why not don your white hood, ride through the streets of Miami with your fellow Klansmen and set fire to a wooden cross in front of one of the local Catholic churches?

If I recall this country's history correctly, Catholics, along with Blacks and Jews, were the object of the hatred and wrath of the Klu Klux Klan, who were made up primarily of bible-banging Protestant Southern Baptists.

Anonymous said...

Going into Adriens courtroom is like going to the bathroom after eating a steak, cereal dinner with a serious case of the roids. One painfull experience. The guy is a complete incompetent and punk. But we should stop talking about him getting opposition. We don't want him saving his lunch money for the next election. M and M in 2010!!!!!!

Attorney Arnold Trevilla said...

I agree with Batman. Get rid of Adrien. I also figured out a way to tame Mr. Herb Walker. I used to show dogs, and one way to get them to stay still, stop fussing and stand up straight for the judges was to...grab them by the sac. Yeah the sac. Once Adrien is gone, someone needs to walk up behind Mr. Walker and just grab his sac...squeeze, hold and walk him into Rosa Rodriguez's courtroom. Let him try his crap with her. She will grab, hold and tear those puppies right off that boy for being such a punk ass puta.