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, August 25, 2008

VOTE!!!

Tomorrow/Today is election day in Dade County. There are several judicial races that will directly impact the readers of this blog. Unlike in past years, we have refrained from making endorsements, primarily because we don't know most of the candidates, and quite frankly, the choices are demoralizing at best.  How many races pit candidates both of which have never tried a case before a jury?  As far as we can see, Stacy Glick is the only real trial lawyer running for Judge. 

While it takes more than trial experience in being a Judge, shouldn't trial experience be required? When we as criminal defense attorneys stand before Reemberto Diaz, or Stan Bake, or Orlando Prescott,  or Joe Fernandez in County Court we know that whether the rulings we receive are favorable or not, that those Judges have stood where we stood. They have faced the anxiety and fear and pressure and they understand like no other person could what we are feeling.  And appointment versus election doesn't make a difference as Blake and Fernandez were elected while Diaz and Prescott were appointed. 

So this election day might well be the only time these future Judges know what it really means to put everything on the line, do your best, and then have your fate decided by others who you hope and pray are smart enough to make the correct choice. 

Some other thoughts: Denise Martinez never really explained to us why Bernie Shapiro deserved opposition.

The Cynamon/Corona race is a weird one.  We don't think Cynamon's time spent watching trials counts for much, and Mr. Corona never did explain whether or not there  is a cloud hanging over his prior work with his family's bank that effects his ability to be a Judge. Again, we're not sure if either of these candidates represent the "best and brightest" the legal community has to offer. On the other hand, we don't know either of these two people, and perhaps both will make outstanding judges. Time will tell. 

Anyway, we find it awfully hard to get excited about the election. And if we can't get excited about the election, what does that portend for the general public, most of whom will never appear before any of these Judges?

Well, no matter what, we will endeavor to blog live tomorrow night bringing election updates as they occur throughout the evening. The Pepsi Center was wired by Qwest and they claim to be able to handle 50 million emails a second, so internet access shouldn't be a problem. Wooops.

See You at the polling both. Or Not. 

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rumpole is BILL BARZEE. He's at the convention.

Anonymous said...

ALL TOGETHER NOW:

MIAMI LOVES MIGNA
MIGNA LOVES MIAMI

OH MANNY IT'S MIGNA'S TIME

MIAMI LOVES MIGNA
MIGNA LOVES MIAMI

SHE'LL BE ON THE BENCH BY JANUARY 9!!!!

Anonymous said...

Says who?Migna has been running for 4 years and that is truly to her advantage.But this is an election,and anything can happen in Miami Dade and has happened!

By the way,you suggest "january 9!!!!".You do not mention which year.Maybe 200??

Anonymous said...

Harvey Ruvin is facing David Nelson on August 26, 2008. Who will win the race that is know for low primary results and people do not really pay attention to the ticket.

Anonymous said...

FYI:

http://www.dadecountybar.org/judicialcampaignpractices.htm

Anonymous said...

Can you tell me which candidate for office just bounced her checks for TV commericials?

Anonymous said...

check out the most recent posts here on the CABA judicial candidates forum and the Christian Family Coalition endorsements....
http://dailybusinessreview.typepad.com

Anonymous said...

Rumpole,

Seems like your worst dream is coming true.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/656396.html

B-)

POLITICS

Rising Hispanic vote shifts focus off Cuba

The potential political might of Florida's non-Cuban Hispanics is growing, and many of those communities are pushing for more influence.

Anonymous said...

Please do not vote for Migna.

Save Miami-Dade!

Anonymous said...

Yvonne Colodny is a longtime PD. She has plenty of trial experience. If thats the criteria she deserve a shoutout too Rump.

Anonymous said...

One of the most moving speeches tonight by Michelle Obama. I hope she runs for Onama's senate seat after Obama is gets elected president.

Anonymous said...

trying cases and being a trial lawyer are two totally different things. as someone who knows of a murder trial she second chaired where she needed help to get a photo in evidence I can say that makes her fit for the bench because no great trial lawyer ever aspires to be a circuit court judge, such a bad job that several quit a year, 50 page dockets, you are nothing more than a pd or asa paid twice the money.

Anonymous said...

I think all people should go for vote. It is the right of the public to express their voice and vote the one who is right to them. Government should make good arrangements for public to cast their vote in relax and friendly situation and so ensure the maximum strength.

Anonymous said...

This Blog is a tribute to the First Amendment in that everyone is entitled to an opinion, no matter how uninformed. prejudiced, or speciously reasoned. The 1st Amendment does guarantee this...until you elect so many unethical, ignorant, etc. officials on every level that there is no more Constitution... This is the day you can chose to take the high road. Make the right choices, Fake Anonymous