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 09, 2010


THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

ELECTION CENTRAL 2010 - THE VOTING BEGINS


Good morning loyal readers. It's Monday, August 9, 2010 and the polls are officially open. You can vote by absentee ballot, or, show up at a polling cite between now and election day during Early Voting, or, you can wait until Tuesday, August 24, 2010, election day.

In Miami-Dade County, voters will cast ballots in four contested judicial elections.

In the Circuit Court, Group 45, incumbent Judge Peter Adrien faces off against challenger Samantha Ruiz Cohen.

JUDGE PETER ADRIEN

A brief history on Judge Adrien: He has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1994. He was elected to the bench in 2004. He was born on the island of Antigua and is Miami-Dade's first Antiguan Judge. He worked at the Legal Aide Society for 11 years. He currently teaches as an adjunct professor at Miami Dade College in their paralegal program and has been doing that since 1995.

In 2000, Peter Sylvester Adrien ran for Circuit Court Judge in a four-way race. He ran using his legal name. In the primary, Gina Mendez scored 40% of the vote. Dennis Murphy was second with 29% of the vote; Martin Zilber pulled in 25% of the vote; and Adrien garnered 6% of the vote. (In the runoff, Murphy squeaked by Mendez).

In 2004, Adrien decided to again run for Judge. This time he chose incumbent Henry "Hank" Harnage. Harnage has been appointed by Gov, Chiles in 1996 and won a full term in 1998 beating Elio Vasquez. Adrien filed to run shortly before the qualifying deadline. Only this time, he ran under the name Peter Camacho Adrien. Camacho was his Portuguese mother's maiden name. He told the press back then that he attributed his loss in 2000 to the confusion with the Sylvester name. In the election, Harnage got beat by Adrien, 57%-43%.

In the past six years, Adrien has made a name for himself on the bench, both in the Criminal Division (4 years) and the General Jurisdiction Division (2 years).

In the 2010 election, Judge Adrien has raised a total of $25,995 from 96 contributors, with no monetary loans to himself. He raised $16,125 in the past reporting quarter (April 1 - July 30, 2010). He has spent all but $645 of that money, spending $25,350. He has hired no consultants according to his expenditure report.

Notable law firms that have donated the maximum $500 include Grossman Roth PA, Podhurst Orseck PA, Feldman Gale PA, the Ticktin Law Group (aren't they the ones with that weird tv commercial where all the attorneys look straight ahead into the camera at the last second?), Lew Tein PA, and Guy Lewis, who has donated $1,500 through three entities. One has to ask themselves: do these firms really believe he is the best candidate running, or do they currently have cases filed before the Judge? Just curious?!

You can visit Judge Adrien's web site at
www.judgeadrien2010.com .

SAMANTHA RUIZ COHEN

She has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1992. She began her career with the Miami Dade State Attorney's Office and worked there for more than ten years. She rose through the ranks and became a Division Chief. She was also the office's Training Director for a number of years. She currently is in private practice with the law firm of Bennett Aiello Cohen & Fried where she handles product liability cases. She also teaches Constitutional Law at FIU.

Ms. Ruiz Cohen has been out on the campaign trail for much of the past year and a half. She has attended more campaign fundraisers and raised more money than any other candidate in any of the local contested judicial elections. According to the most up to date reporting cycle, she has raised $89,112 and has also loaned her campaign an additional $112,500 for a total war chest of $201,612. Ms. Ruiz Cohen has already spent $120,423. Her 417, yes 417 contributors include three bail bonding companies that each gave the $500 max: A1 Magic Bail Bonds, Singh's Bail Bonds, and Rivas Bonding.

Some of her money has gone to campaign consultants, including: Susan Fried $15,000; Stephanie Bromfield $6,550; Zenaida Russell $4,000; Margarita Armona $1,000; Isolina Marono $300; and Sid Gersh $200.

You can visit the Samantha Ruiz Cohen web site at
www.samantha4judge.com .

The Miami Herald has endorsed Ms. Ruiz Cohen. Who do our readers and bloggers think should wear the robe? Let's hear from you!

Tomorrow, Group 62: Gordo v. Kuntz.


CAPTAIN OUT .....

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

ruiz cohen or adrien-

great choices lol

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

The Captain Reports:

Congratulations to our own Judge Kevin Emas. He has been installed as the Statewide Chair of the Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges.

Cap Out .....

Anonymous said...

Oh Captian, my Captian.

Is that polling cite or site?

Love, one who can't spell worth shit.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

So you want to be a Circuit Court Judge???

The deadline is TODAY at 5 PM for getting your application filed with the JNC for the replacement seat to be named for Judge Esquiroz.

All persons interested in applying must deliver a complete application and 10 copies to:

Mark A. Romance, Chair
Eleventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission c/o Richman Greer, P.A.
201 S. Biscayne Blvd.
Suite 1000
Miami, FL 33131

Cap Out ....

Toy Story said...

This should prove interesting!

Congrats to Emas, he's always first class, and probably belongs on the Third.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

AND, if you want to be an Appellate Court Judge, the 3rd DCA is looking to replace Judge Cope.

The JNC has requested applications and their deadline is September 3, 2010 at NOON.

The original completed application plus nine copies and all attachments must be delivered to the Chair:

Marcos Daniel Jiménez, Chair
Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission
1441 Brickell Ave, Suite 1420
Miami FL 33131

Other members of the 3rd DCA JNC that you can contact to provide your input, include:

Mr. Jeffrey S. Bass
Mr. Hector J. Lombana
Mr. Peter Prieto
Mr. Matias R. Dorta
Mr. Timothy J. Koenig
Ms. Nilda Pedrosa
Ms. Lauri Waldman Ross
Ms. Lilly Ann Sanchez

Cap Out ....

Anonymous said...

In the DBR, they give the skinny on all the judicial races today. Newman refers to Pertierra and Dorta as "fools" in his courtroom. Classic.

Go Ed.

Anonymous said...

What do we think? As Seth Myers would say, REALLY?! REALLY!? Adrien has established himself as perhaps the most UNQUALIFIED person to ever sit on the bench in Miami, and that is really saying something with the bench having previously been graced with some serious fools and crooks before. So Captain, REALLY?! REALLY?! Do we REALLY need him back again?!

Rumpole said...

Thank you for all your hard work El Capitan.

I have said before that I will reveal my identity should I be appointed to a position HIGHER than circuit court Judge. So all of you who really really want to know who I am should start writing the governor now to get me appointed to the 3rd DCA.

BTW-- Cohen- it's a no brainer for anyone who has ever seen Adrien in court.

Anonymous said...

RUMPOLE I BEG OF YOU PLEASE:

This is what Peter Adrien- that lying sack of you know what said to the DBR:

Quote: "I do not take what happens in the courtroom personally. An attorney can disagree with one of my rulings and come back the next day and be treated with respect as if the previous day did not happen.

NOT TRUE-HE IS MEAN, VICIOUS AND HOLDS GRUDGES. He certainly holds grudges against defendants and he did the same to me as an attorney.

Do something to stop this evil- and I do not use that word lightly- man.

Anonymous said...

I thought the same thing= ed called dem boys fools.. loved it. go ed

Anonymous said...

Hey Folks,

Let's get Dan Gelberg elected for Florida Attorney General. He is in a difficult election and needs our support right now. Look him up at www.dangelberg.com and donate ten bucks...we really need it...a Miami guy as the Florida Attorney General can't be all that bad. when was the last time you were able to get the Attorney General on the phone to speak about an issue?...think about it.

Anonymous said...

Ruiz Cohen is going to be a prosecutor on the bench.....and she did not do much while at the State Attorney's Office

Anonymous said...

The problem my dear Rump is that what is a "no brainer" for you does not equate to votes. Remember judicial races have very little to do with who is the most qualified or competent. The only thing that saves SRC is some reason for Hispanics to vote. Otherwise, if the African-American community turns out for Meek, she goes down and we get Adrien for another 6. All the voters in the African-American precincts will see is "Ruiz" and they will vote for other guy, even if he is not African-American.

That is why Newman will beat Manny.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

to 12:13 pm.

I write 755 words (according to Word count) and you find one spelling error and I can't spell worth a shit.

You, sir, have some series issues.

Get a Life!

Cap Out .....

Anonymous said...

"Special Ed" calls the people thatmadehim spend 100k of his own money fools? If you have ever seen Ed speak on the stump the fool is obvious!

Anonymous said...

Keep Judge Adrien. What would the 3rd DCA do if they did not have Adrien to reverse?

Anonymous said...

5:41........you are clueless. Anyone who was at the SAO while Samantha rose through the ranks (including Career Criminal) could verify that she was an outstanding trial attorney. She also did a good job as training attorney (she was a tremendous resource for those of us smart enough to use her as such).

I haven't heard anyone say a single nice thing about Adrien (and for good reason!). Is this really such a tough choice?

BTDT

Anonymous said...

BTDT - For those who practice law it may not be too tough a choice, but the truth is the public does not give a damn what the lawyers, especially those on this blog, think. I wish lawyers would get their collective heads out of each others asses and realize that. Otherwise we would not have had Adrien in the first place. You people are so full of yourselves.

Anonymous said...

Dear Capt...It was a joke.

A joke and was to be funny because I like many cannot spell worth shit so, lighten up pal.

I too appreciate your election comments.

IT WAS NOT MEANT TO OFFEND and sorry if it did.

Anonymous said...

12:56........no reason to get nasty. Instead of attacking those of us who care enough to discuss the issues, why don't you offer up some constructive suggestions as to how we can improve things?

BTDT

PS---we're well aware of what the public thinks of lawyers. Keep in mind, however, that we are the best positioned to know which judges understand the law, apply it correctly and do the right thing since we see them far more often than anyone else.

Anonymous said...

When Samantah Ruiz-Cohen was an Asst. Chief in Career Criminal, she was known for being reasonable, unlike some others that have held that position. She recognized that some CC cases had weaknesses and authorized appropriate pleas. She was a very good trial attorney and did a fine job as training attorney. Finally, she was very nice--I don't think she has a mean bone in her body. I think she will be a fair judge, giving those that deserve a break a break and launching those that need lengthy time behind bars. I would also expect that she exhibit an outstanding judicial demeanor and treat all with respect.

Anonymous said...

Here you go BTDT

1. No person may qualify to be a judge (Circuit or County) unless they have been admitted to practice in the State of Florida for 15 years AND obtained the age 40 years.

2. No person may qualify to be a judge (Circuit or County) unless they can establish they have been ACTIVELY involved in the practice of law for ALL of the five years immediately preceeding the qualifying date for the election in which they seek the office. (That does not mean hanging your license in a friend's or relative's office, but you can produce clients that are not relatives)

3. All funds placed in a campaign account which are the property of the candidate or borrowed by the candidate must be used first and any funds left at the termination of the candidacy will be refunded to non-family contributors before the candidate repays him/herself or family members.

4. Violation of any of these requirements would automatically disqualify the candidate or, if discovered after election and/or assumption of office, and proven to the JQC automatically removes the offender from their office

This should help get rid of the great pretenders. I have more ideas, but lets start with these.

Anonymous said...

BTDT -

I disagree with your PS to 12:56. The participants on this blog are not objective about their assessments of the judges and candidates. How many good people and good judges get slammed because someone got their nose out of joint on a single matter? Or how about those who don't like that they got called to task by a judge, so the accusations of being mean or nasty start?

Give me a break. The participants here have agendas that have nothing to do with whether someone is or is not qualified.