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.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

UPCOMING EVENTS

BREAKING...Baby Lollipops jury votes 7-5 for death. Final decision up to judge Reemberto Diaz. Name the last Miami Dade judge brave enough to override a jury's recommendation of death. The lawyers in the case are excluded from the contest.


Longtime denizens of the REGJB will remember reporter Bob Gilmartin, who had stints at WT VJ and WSVN in the 1980's. Mr. Gilmartin, who now roams the halls as a big-wig at NBC in NYC, writes to tell us that not only is our humble blog enjoyed by various members of the media in the Big Apple (and who wouldn't enjoy a short jolt of well written humor every day?), but that there is an upcoming 2 hour NBC dateline about the tragic case of Christopher Sutton.

Christopher Sutton was recently convicted of hiring a hitman to kill his mother. Sutton's father, the well known and respected attorney John Sutton was severely injured in the attack and has lost his eyesight.

No funny quips about this tragic case. Just an alert to check out the NBC dateline program this Friday from 9-11 pm. See local attorney Bruce Fleisher fight his heart out for his client. One can only imagine the pain John Sutton suffered in seeing his son prosecuted for killing his wife. John Sutton's class showed when he thanked Bruce for the defense he gave his son. The whole two hours of the show is devoted to the case and is worth a look.

On a lighter note: want to see your favourite judge wiggle out of paying for his or her drinks?
There's an FACDL "Bench and Bar Mixer" at some nefarious establishment with the unlikely name of " Delores, But You Can Call Me Lolita" (1000 S Miami Avenue) next Thursday, October 21, 2010 from 5:00 -7:00 Pm. How they intend on getting the judiciary from leaving their cozy homes and trek back to downtown Miami for this soirée is beyond us.

Take our advice and skip this shing-ding. You probably have something more important to do, like clipping the cat's nails or sorting your paper clips.

As we often tell juries in closing argument in cases where the prosecution has used a snitch: "When you lie down with dogs, don't complain when you get fleas."

See you in court, but not at that ridiculously named bagnio.


21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is that joint called "Delores, But You Can Call Me Lolita" because of Delores, the lady in the wheelchair who was Justice Building regular?

Anonymous said...

Rumpole
On the lighter side who remembers Delores?
DS

Anonymous said...

Horace
I understand that under the punishment code the Court can ussually go up to the statutory max in sentencing. I believed that was always in the Courts arsenal. But , ( Kudos to Robert C for the exact site) F.S. ch.775.082 (10) sayz that in 3rd degressFelonies, not of violence, if total points egual 22 or lower the Court MUST sentence to NON STATE unless the Court makes written findings that a nonstate prisaon sentence could present a danger to the public.
DS. Sisselman

Anonymous said...

Im a fairly young attorney and I see so many interesting stories on here so I was wondering if someone please explain to me what the deal is with the Judge that walks around the court house in the same pair of torn up jeans and white shirt with a strong resemblance to as 'Reverend Henry Kane? I was surprised to find out he was a judge.

Anonymous said...

Where did the 3d DCA roundup go?

Rumpole said...

5:18 pm - that is the one, the only retired judge Rick Margolius. Google Rick Zweig and it will all be explained to you.

Anonymous said...

Was it Judge Robinson who did not give death to a guy who duct taped and killed someone?

Anonymous said...

Judge Robinson was the judge that overrode the jury's recommendation for the death penalty. I believe it was the lover's lane duct tape murders. The family sat in court for months afterwards with their mouths duct taped.

Anonymous said...

5:18 you really don't want to know! Trust me

Anonymous said...

But, the question is not what he wears, the question is how does he get all of those magnificently decolletaged young honeys that he always has on his arm

Anonymous said...

The judge brave enough to sentence to life when jury recommended death might have been either Phil Bloom or Steven Robinson, I think... Not sure, though.

old guy said...

Yup, nothing like having Delores roll her chair up to the rail, fall asleep, start to snore -- then piss herself. It put many a trial in its proper perspective.

Miss her? Hardly.

Anonymous said...

My guess for the brave judge who overrode the jury's death recommendation is William Thomas. Hot or cold?

Anonymous said...

Young attorneys and old ones alike, do not listen to Rumphole(aka Asshole). Go to the bench and bar mixer and mingle with old attorneys, young attorneys & judges. Almost everything in life is about who you know or more importantly, who knows you. I went last year and met some interesting people. Maybe it will mean nothing in the future, but it is worth a few hours of your time.

Anonymous said...

Rumpole

It must be strange to live your life hiding your true identity. Don't you want to come out of the dark?

Anonymous said...

Steven D Robinson, with the duct tape murders sentenced to life despite the jury recommendation of death,

Anonymous said...

I think the last judge who didn't follow a jury recommendation was Judge Thomas who handled the trials of the men accused of the brutal rape and murder of a high school girl....His decision was promptly remanded by the 3rd DCA.

Anonymous said...

It's Ric, no K.
Ric Zweig

Anonymous said...

I recall bill clay and oscar rodriguez taking delores to lunch and to broward courty to attend court up there with them. she stunk of urine and was a giant pain in the ass to judges. some of which held her in contempt if i am not mistaken.

Anonymous said...

Florida’s legal system continues to be ranked at the bottom of the nation, all at a high cost to consumers, small business and our economy. According to the March 8th Harris Report for the US Chamber of Commerce‘s Institute for Legal Reform, Florida’s legal system ranks 42nd in the nation and South Florida has been – once again – named the number one Judicial Hell Hole in the country in the annual report by the American Tort Reform Association. Judicial hellhole refers to states where judges systematically apply laws and court procedures in an inequitable manner. For example,

Florida is one of the few states that allow drunk drivers to sue the automobile manufacturer for failing to prevent their injuries by designing a safer car, while hiding from the jury the driver’s responsibility for the crash.
Medical-malpractice insurance rates in South Florida are among the highest in the nation. It is prohibitively expensive to practice in high-risk specialties, such as obstetrics and neurosurgery.
Florida is home to the website WhoCanISue.com
The effect of unfair justice being applied in Florida courts is unacceptable. In order to turn Florida’s economy around and make Florida the number one state for job creation, we must restore fairness, personal responsibility and predictability to Florida’s civil justice system. As part of my economic plan, we will implement meaningful tort reform in order to reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits filed in Florida. By implementing tort reform, individuals with legitimate claims will maintain access to the courts and the small businesses, which are the lifeblood of our economy, will be protected from frivolous litigation.

Anonymous said...

Lurvey has the the BEST Delores story. It starts with "Hey, push me over to the metro rail."