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, February 28, 2011

WHO IS THE BEST YOU EVER SAW?

SPENCE-JONES TRIAL UPDATE: Judge Rosa Rodriguez denied a prosecution motion to recuse herself from the case (because as a PD before becoming a Judge she once called the SAO "a house of cards", or some such other ridiculous reason) and as the Herald reports, opening statements were given Monday. The trial continues today.

GADAFFI SECRET DEFENSE PLANS: In an interview with the BBC yesterday, Libyan lunatic Colonel Gadaffi inadvertently revealed his secret plans for defending his grip on power: Gadaffi will resort to the Three Stooges double eye poke.

We're not kidding: the interview is here:

"Col Gaddafi challenged those, including UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who have accused him of having money abroad, to produce evidence.

He said he would "put two fingers in their eye" "


Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said yesterday that the 300 million dollars in last defense budget he submitted to train us troops in the "one handed block of the eye poke" would now prove to be a wise expenditure of funds. Yuk, yuk, yuk.


Sometimes readers drive the bus:

Sam I am said...

Rumpole: Everyone hates lawyers... (hard not to when you have to count Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, Gandhi and Nelson Mandela amongst your ilk). But here's a question for you and your able readers: Who are the five most vile attorneys of the past 300 years? I'll take my answer off the air.

Monday, February 28, 2011 6:07:00 PM


Rumpole says: It's nice to remember that we actually practice an ancient and honourable profession. So lets turn the question a bit and also ask who are the five best attorneys you have ever seen or hear or read about? Have at it (best or worst or both)* and let us know who was the best and we'll post or Twitter some replies.


Speaking of Twitter, we broke the news today of the decision in Michigan v. Bryant about the Supreme Court doing away with the confrontation clause. The decision is an awful example of liberal activist judges like Roberts and Alito and Thomas creating by judicial fiat exceptions to the hearsay rule that are not in the Constitution and were not passed by Congress.


David Marcus has all the gory details on his blog. However, once again DOM celebrates the dissent of Judge Scalia and we remind DOM that in this matter Scalia's ox was not gored, so he stood on principle. However such is not always the case with Nino.


More on this case later this week.


Follow us on Twitter as the flow of ideas guaranteed to make you rich, thin and happy continues at an ever escalating pace (and not one of those REGJB escalators due for repair.)


See You In Court.



* If you have an axe to grind against a particular attorney who currently practices in the REGJB and want to label him or her the worst you ever saw, more than likely we will not post the comment, so don't bother or be prepared to sign your name and advocate why they should be included on the list.

43 comments:

Mr JUSTICE MILTON HIRSCH said...

From: Chambers of Mr. Justice Milton HIrsch

To: Rumpole, et al.

List-

Best attorneys ever:

5) Lincoln
4) Daniel Webster
3) John Adams
2) Gerry Spence/Edward Bennett Williams (tie)

1 MILT HIRSCH.

abe laeser said...

The best local talent, in their prime, were Phil Hubbart + Jack Denaro for the defense, and Ed Carhart for the prosecution.

Thoroughly prepared, able to analyze the law, the common sense approach to the facts, and using their personal skills to persuade in summation -- these three stand out.

If you get a chance to watch Jack, who is still trial active, take the day off just to learn.

Anonymous said...

Worst: Marcia Clark & Chris Darden.

Anonymous said...

HR
SY GEAR
DS

Anonymous said...

Vile? Roy Cohn.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

Can you say First Degree Felony ...

The Florida Legislature begins its Spring Session 2011 next week, and that means the crazies (aka any elected official) are out and about.

Here is Senate Bill 1246 filed by our friend Senator Jim Norman, of Tampa. This is Jim's first term in the Senate after spending 18 years on the County Commission in Hillsborough.

(1) A person who enters onto a farm or other property where legitimate agriculture operations are being conducted without the written consent of the owner, or an authorized representative of the owner, commits a felony of the first degree ...

(2) A person who photographs, video records, or otherwise produces images or pictorial records, digital or otherwise, at or of a farm or other property where legitimate agriculture operations are being conducted without the written consent of the owner, or an authorized representative of the owner, commits a felony of the first degree ...

Anyone care to venture a guess what is real motivation behind this bill?

Cap Out ....

Anonymous said...

When I first heard about Spence-Jones, I figured she was just another dirty politician with her hand out.

The more I learn about this case, though, it really does sound like a witch hunt.

I am guessing a quick not guilty. If convicted, Judge Rodriguez will not (and should not) sentence her to prison.

Mr justice moe hirsch said...

mr justice milt: "you filed a motion without a memo of law"

( holds hand out clenches into a fist)

Milt; " approach side bar counsel...( holds out hand) hit this"

( lawyer tenatively hits milts hand ) (milt windmills hand and bonks lawyer on head) " now get back to the podium you knuckle head yuk yuk yuk". ( ms moneypenny pushes button and three blind mice stooges theme plays in courtroom)

Anonymous said...

Does Jim Normans bill have anything to do with sheep?

Anonymous said...

Theft of pot plants?

Rumpole said...

Nice to see Mr Laeser weighing in. Carhart can still bring it for the defense and mr L was no slouch himself for the prosecution.

locally HT Smith was damn good ( and an intern of roy black and jack denaro at the pds office if I remember correctly)


Cam somebody explain what is ir about Hirsch that brings out the fantasy writers in our readership?

Anonymous said...

It's simple:

Who but Uncle Miltie quotes Shakespeare on a daily basis?

Anonymous said...

Nancy Grace. Obviously on the worst list. And what's with the guy trying to make trespassing on a farm a first degree felony carrying 30 years? I suspect he's growing some ganja. Just legalize it already.

Anonymous said...

SY GAER WAS AMAZING

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember the Asa who couldn't figure out how to get a gun used in a drive by shooting admitted into evidence?

Anonymous said...

Most Vile Attorney in the past 300 years?

Geraldo Rivera. Not known for being an attorney, but he is.

Anonymous said...

The five best are

1. F. Lee Bailey
2. Gerry Spence
3. "Racehorse" Haynes
4. Edward Bennett Williams
5. Melvin Belli/Louis Nizer

Anonymous said...

I agree with Abe Laeser's intentional omission of Roy Black. Black's days are over and they have been ever since he started thinking he was some kind of celebrity. Hey, Roy, you're not in Hollywood. God runs this world, not man.

Anonymous said...

Ed Shohat

Anonymous said...

S.L. Gaer was the best trial attorney not only because of his lawyering abilities, but also for his love and dedication to "defend his innocent poor child" of a client.

Without much paperwork, he knew his cases from whatever the "blackbook" said.
He is sorely missed!

Anonymous said...

This list is positevely biased towards American trial attorneys and negatively biased towards Republican scumbags who have helped lead this country into its present pathetic condition but here goes:

Best Attorneys Ever

(1) Earl Rogers (only lost 3 out of 77 murder trials--inspiration for Perry Mason);
(2) Clarence Darrow;
(3) Richard "Racehorse" Haynes
(4) Edward Bennett Williams (none of his clients went to prison in his last 30 years of practice);
(5) Bobby Lee Cook (inspiration for Matlock)

Vilest Attorneys Ever

(1) Alberto Gonzales (biggest political hack ever);
(2) John Mitchell/Richard Nixon;
(3) Roy Cohn (biggest political hatchetman ever);
(4) J. Edgar Hoover;
(5) Jack Abramoff

Anonymous said...

Top 5 Lawyers of All Time:

5. Al Krieger

4. F. Lee Bailey

3. Johnny Cochran

2. Thurgood Marshall

1. John Adams

Anonymous said...

LOVED SY! YOUR ARE SOOOO MISSED! MONDAY MORNINGS ARE SO DULL WITHOUT YOU!

Anonymous said...

Please don't twitter. Facebook and email and texts are enough. I enjoy your blog but no twitter for me

Anonymous said...

I don't think the concept of removing Judge Rosa Rodriguez from this case is as outlandish as you suggest in your post. When I was a prosecutor a few years back, Judge Rodriguez demonstrated an absolute disdain for the State regardless of how professional any given prosecutor appearing in front of her was. There are judges who allow their personal feelings to slant their rulings towards both sides. Neither a judge who favors the State nor a judge who favors the defense bar has a place on the bench in criminal court. There is too much at stake for both sides for justice to turn on the personal whims or beliefs of a judge. Unfortunately, Judge Rosa Rodriguez is one of these judges.

Anonymous said...

The proposed farm bill looks like it is intended

1) to keep PETA out of agricultural facilities, and releasing video of the inhumane conditions,

2) prevent publication of photographic evidence of undocumented workers who are illegally working on farms,

3) preventing dissemination of photos of the migrant farm workers crapping on the produce.

PAB

Anonymous said...

Twitter is awesome, i just tweeted this same thought

Anonymous said...

John Mitchell was an outstanding lawyer. Despite his reputation for being a Nixon loyalist and hack, he was by and large not a very partisan type. He made his calling doing bond work on Wall Street in the 50's and 60's. He was in the running to be JFK's campaign manager in 1960 but it never came to be. He got caught up in a scandal that he never understood. He had a wife that was a loudmouth and drunk. I always admired Mitchell for his fatalistic attitude. Never did he complain about his predicament. He took it like a man.

Anonymous said...

To 9:49
I was a "B" prosecutor in her division a few years back. Judge Rodriguez is an exceptional judge who is always fair to both sides. She will call out the defense, state or defendants when necessary and appropriate. As a prosecutor, I knew not to waste her time with cases I could not prove but might have been forced to go to trial because the career criminal unit would not approve a plea below 10 years even though the victim was nowhere to be found. Judge Rodriguez gives a fair trial. Maybe some " wanna be prosecutor" does not agree with her style because she does not launch every single defendant after a trial and actually gives appropriate sentences.
The State Attorney's office always had a problem with her and that was a well known secret.

Anonymous said...

You couldn't get a picture of the real Three Stooges?

Anonymous said...

HR
Watched some of the Spence-Jones trial tuesday. Seemed like Rosa was calling balls - balls and strikes - strikes. Fairly for both sides.
DS

Anonymous said...

I also was a former prosecutor in Judge Rodriguez's division.

9:49pm has an agenda clearly.

Many ASA's have no qualms about trying murder cases in front of her, she gives a good trial, and ensures both sides receive their rights to a fair trial.

Now if you bring a crap case in front of her, that's another story. Spence-Jones being a good example. She does what most good judges do, she separates the einkorn from the dry, scaly protective casings of the seed.

So if I had a piece of **** prosecution, I would want to recuse her too, and go find a Scola or something.

Anonymous said...

Best fictional attorney--Paul Biegel (Jimmy Stewart) in "Anatomy of a Murder"

Worst fictional attorney--Lionel Hutz in "The Simpsons"

the trialmaster. said...

john mitchell, " the big enchillida" was a walking piece of shit. He never tried a jury trial and deserved to go to jail. and he deserved the ugly haig he married. I attended some of the watergate trial, and Mitchel was a little runt, about 5'4 at best.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

Peter:

You are correct on your reasoning for the farm bill filed by Senator Norman.

Cap Out ....

Kissimmee Kid said...

"Judge Rodriguez demonstrated an absolute disdain for the State." Have you looked at the State? It runs a lottery and kills people. Only a bottom feeder would represent such a low-life. How can you treat this bloody-handed killer with anything but disdain?

Anonymous said...

Attorney of the year: Margie J. Phelps, daughter of the leader and also a member of the Westboro Baptist Church. Just won today in the Supreme Court, 8 to 1, with not very sympathetic facts. Amazing victory.

Anonymous said...

Opa Locka Police Chief damages city car ( slightly). Does not report accident ( violating city rules ). Gets suspended for 2 weeks with pay ( no work but getting paid, sounds great). Chief complaining that she's being treated unfair.

Some people are so ignorant. Your the Chief! Lead by example. If you can't follow the rules, find another job. When you get caught breaking the rules, try taking some responsibility instead of threatening to sue

You give good cops a bad name.

Anonymous said...

Twitter translation plz of CCP?

Code of Civil Procedure
Customer Control Panel
Chinese Communist Part
Code of Civil Procedure
Code of Criminal Procedure

BTW- 156 followers--336 more to reach the 500 mark

Anonymous said...

Judge Rodriguez RULES! She knows the law, she understands the facts, she applies the law correctly and she treats people fair. If you are an idiot and act like an idiot, then she will treat you as such! Long story short, 9:49you are an idiot!

Anonymous said...

Opa-locka is a thug community run by other thugs.

Anonymous said...

Less twitter more blogging!

Unknown said...

I NEED to contact Mr Gear ASAP