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 15, 2009

The Ties That Bind

UPDATE: For those of you following this story, and we can't get enough of it, the NY State Senate was thrown into more confusion today when one of the two Democratic Senators who switched sides switched back, creating the first ever 31-31 tie. And to make matters worse, the Lieutenant Governor, who normally breaks ties in the Senate doesn't exist, since he became the Governor when Elliot Spitzer resigned because of women problems. The NY Times article is here. 

It's 96 degrees outside. It feels like 105. The humidity is 100%.

And only one profession mandates that the male participants wear not just a tie, but also a coat, no matter how hot it is. 

Imagine if you will an alien species making contact with earth. After all the fanfare died down, eventually earthlings would escort the aliens around to show them different parts of our cultures. 

Can you just see them standing on a corner somewhere in the USA in July with the hot sun beating down and the alien saying "tell me again why the men who go into that building must wear coats in this weather?"

We have no rational answer. Didn't Obama say it was time for change? 

<-----------Vote in our new poll on coats and ties.

This is not about respect for the court. Every female lawyer and female judge manages to dress in a manner that is respectful without being totally ridiculous in face of the rising temperatures outside. 

Cooler lawyers make happier lawyers (not to mention better smelling) and happier lawyers tend to get along and settle cases. 
So doing away with the coat and tie requirement during the summer months may reduce case loads. 

How's that for a "two-fer-the -price-of-one" change? 

Judge Slom? Judge Blake? Judge Brown? What can Brown do for you? Make things cooler for a start. 

Anyone? Bueller? Anyone? 

See you in court, sweltering on the walk in, until further notice. 


Poll results:

Judge Butchko was not trying to get reversed on appeal by 45%;

73% (140 out of 191) said Judge Adrien was playing the race game in his reelection efforts. 

And about a third of us take depos in every felony case, while 25% never take depos in homage to Sy. 

36 comments:

Summer Schedule Maker said...

Casual Monday

Bermuda Shorts Tuesday

Halter Top Wednesday

T-Back Thursday

Banana Hammock Friday

Anonymous said...

This is Miami, it's a million degrees, so the men should be able to wear linen pants and Hawaiian shirts. Nothing like being covered in sweat in that ridiculous wool suit with the silk tie choking us to death.

I'd be much more comfortable in a long skirt and light blouse!

Anonymous said...

I dissent. You start down this slippery slope and there is no end. Lawyers will become indistinguishable from defendants. Dressing well not only reflects a respect for the court but a reflection of the respect that you have for others and expect from them. A well dressed attorney is subliminally saying that he is a serious person involved in a serious business and will treat you and your case accordingly. There are certain occasions and civic functions that require such a code: funerals, weddings, and court proceedings, to name three. Imagine what would happen if, say, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals allowed lawyers appearing in front of it to wear shorts, t shirts, and sandals? It would not take long before the lawyers and judges began to lose respect for the seriousness of their mission. Ditto for county and circuit court in Miami. I find it appalling enough that defendants come to court dressed like they just got out of bed. It shows a contempt for the institutions of justice.

Anonymous said...

You're in the wrong courtrooms. Many of the Judges have made jackets optional during summer months for years.

Anonymous said...

What's the deal? How come Gina Mendez didn't even get and interview for the County Court slot?

Anonymous said...

Broward has Miami-Dade beat on this one. Suit and tie are optional up there during the summer, and I've never head a judge complain.

Anonymous said...

In pre-Castro Cuba, lawyers were allowed to wear guayabera shirts in court. A long-sleeved, well-pressed, linen guayabera shirt was considered elegant, and proper, business attire.

Andrew C. DeWeese, Esq. said...

I agree with Rumpole. There's no slippery slope here - no one is talking about lawyers wearing shorts and flip flops. After all, you could make the same argument regarding the, ahem, regrettable disappearance of powdered wigs. As for respect for the institution, I don't think it's a serious issue. A regime that is flexible, pragmatic, and responsive to the needs of its constituents is more deserving of respect than one that is archaic and rigid.

Anonymous said...

7:30 - for the same reason that an Assistant State Attorney who lives in North Dade, but works in Broward didn't. You live or work in Broward, apply for a judgeship in Broward. Any more questions?

Anonymous said...

guayaberas.

Anonymous said...

I feel stupid in court without a tie and jacket.

Learn to wear cotton shirts and a jacket that is light.

Fake Larry Flynt said...

Everyone should be able to appear nude in court durinig the summer. Then my crews and I will come in, shoot some pics, do some film, who knows, maybe we'll get some REGJB pornos going. "Randy Rumpole" would make a fine series, paying tribute to his British heritage.

Hot For Rump said...

I think attorneys should be allowed to wear the ancient Greek doric chitons. The linen type of course, wool would defeat the purpose.

I'd like to see Rump in a chiton, preferably with no undergarments.
I'd fan him and feed him grapes too.

Anonymous said...

Just caught this tidbit online:

The South Carolina Republican Party recently launched a campaign to reach out to minorities who have, for decades, wanted nothing to do with the state's GOP. On Sunday, however, longtime Republican activist Rusty DePass seemed to be doing everything in his power to thwart that effort when he was caught making a racist joke on his Facebook page about First Lady Michelle Obama.

Over the weekend, a gorilla escaped from a zoo in Columbia, and according to the New York Daily News, DePass just couldn't resist what he saw as the perfect opportunity for humor, updating his status message to read,

"I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors - probably harmless."

Rumpole said...

Oh my 11:37- as if I'm not hot enough, you have to make my radiator boil over.

Informal observation- 5 male judges today in ct- 2 in county court and three in circuit and NONE were wearing ties.

Maybe those guys will join in the chorus here.

Anonymous said...

Would love to see L&L Associate in something cool!!!!!

Anonymous said...

953, you saying Mendez moved to Broward and that's why she didn't get an interview????

Anonymous said...

I'm curious. Who says you MUST wear a suit and tie to court? Aside from maybe being the only lawyer doing it, there are legal repercussions. I don't think any judge would ever throw you out of court because you are not properly dressed.

Anonymous said...

There was a DOM siting in state court this morning!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to all the SuperLawyers that made the cut this year. The names were in a special section of the Miami Herald today.

Surpringly missing: Shumi, Alex Michaels and the Q, among others. I guess the Q should finally be retirned from this blog!

Anonymous said...

I can tell you from experience that Judge Moreno routinely threw lawyers out of his court in state court when they didn't wear a tie.

And Judge Sepe had a war with Kayo Morgan years ago when he didn't wear a tie.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

to 1:42 pm .....

Harken back to Judge Arthur Snyder and the day an attorney appeared before him sans necktie.

Snyder gave him two choices: leave and go back to wherever you came from, or, go into my chambers, pick out a tie and come back into my courtroom properly dressed.

CAPTAIN OUT .....

Anonymous said...

Frankly, EVERYONE should be appropriately dressed for court. Judges, attorneys, clerks, offenders, etc. I find it appalling how little respect people have for the system. Wearing a suit and tie is no big deal. Have some respect.

Anonymous said...

Get a hint, folks.

Buy advertising in Super Lawyers and you will magically become a Super Lawyer.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to read in the Bar News that Brian Richard McComb passed away on March 9th. When I left the prosecutors office and started working for Don Cohn, Brian rented space in the building. He was always quick to help me out if I had any questions, or needed advice. He was a nice guy.

Evelio Garcia

Anonymous said...

1:36 - Well that is the kindest reason and at least it seems to fall in line with why an Assistant State Attorney who lives in Miami-Dade, but has always worked in Broward, did not get an interview. It may well be that the JNC just does not see the commitment to the citizens of Miami-Dade required to obtain a nomination for an appointment to the bench.

I AGREE. Carpetbaggers have no place on the bench of any county. Pay taxes or serve the citizens of Miami-Dade. Do your community service here. Send your kids to school here. Then you will have shown the appropriate level of involvement that is deserving of consideration.

At least that is my view. What is yours? Stay invovled. (No I am not Michael Putney)

Anonymous said...

It is fitting for the cat killer that the mad dog is prosecuting him!!

Anonymous said...

Super Lawyer specifically prohibits that practice. They have a rigid procedure that they follow. Once you have been selected, you can pay money to enhance your exposure in the printed material. Most attorneys, as you can see (if you read it today) do not spend any money on that added offer.

Rankmaster said...

The Rankmaster believes that the Trialmaster would take a quick 15 minute guilty if he ponied up and took on the cat killing case.

Anonymous said...

maybe the trialmaster is on the cat killing case.

Anonymous said...

central Florida atty here:

Is there any truth to the rumour criminal circuit court judge David Miller always sentences defendants to the "max", despite mitigation? I hear he has a penchant for always launching any defendant who goes to trial? Sounds rather close minded to me. Does anyone have any experience where his honor reads the PSI and contemplates a reasonable sentence, or is it assumed my client
(simple burglary, grand theft auto) will automatically get five should we not prevail? Serious discussion only please...

Anonymous said...

Check tonight herald re a tourist getting shot and killed by a Miami beach assassin, er cop. My money says the liars, er brass will say it's justified. And of course the victim is Palestinian, so assume the murder will me swept under the rug. I used to think terrorists were our worst enemy, but it seems the beach cops, with their -7 IQ and 6th grade education will be found to have acted I'm good faith. Nothing like a 40k a year meat head with zero education will be back on the street murdering people by next week


No wonder the tourist industry is way down. Come to south beach on vacation, get murdered, the cover up will be in place, and the state atty will cover it up.

Stalin would be proud. Murder someone and get life, but if you're an uneducated cop, get a week off with pay, kfr will kiss your ass, and mbpd will get you more ammo to keep on killing. Thank G-d I left this corrupt county years ago

The west bank is safer and less corrupt than the beach. Just look at officers dionne, Lincoln, fagan, mccue, sayegh, etc.

Karma will get you

Anonymous said...

I have been before "Maximum Miller" in the past and it is true that he loves to launch defendants found guilty.....be careful.....someone told me that there is a defendant that rejected PTI and got convicted of some type of robbery and is pending sentencing....i guess we will see if he is up to his old ways.........

Anonymous said...

Peter Adrien says that if you give him a contribution of $500 to his campaign you can wear jeans to court and for an additional $500 from your spouse you can wear a tee-shirt too if you want.

Anonymous said...

Let's not forget Socarras and Dominguez...

Anonymous said...

Miller will not only max the defendant , but help the State durning the trial. You know he is Armed on the bench. HE HAS AT LEAST TWO PISTOLS ON HIM, UNDER THE ROBES!