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, November 07, 2011

STOP THANKING JURORS

DR. Conrad Murray found guilty. But you probably already knew that.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY SY GAER. We were remiss in not reporting that yesterday, Sunday, was Sy's birthday. But it seems appropriate to remember it today, Monday, the start of the trial week in the building Sy spent his life working in. Stop by his picture on the second floor (across from the elevators) and read the wonderful words of Judge Milt Hirsch and share a few thoughts about our wonderful friend.


CLOSING ARGUMENTS:

Roy Black looks at the closing arguments in the Dr. Conrad Murray case. His analysis, as always, is worth a read, but his first point is something we have been harping on for years: DON'T WASTE TIME THANKING THE JURY!
The most dramatic moment of the case arrives. The attorney stands up with his/her case on the line. Those first few minutes of persuasive argument may well swing the jury. Come out with your best points. Make a dramatic statement so powerful that it will ring in the jury's ears long after you've sat down. The jury will never be more ready to hear it than in these first few moments.

And what do most attorneys do? "I want to take a few moments and thank you for your service. It has been a long and hard case and we all know that you've been paying attention and the case is almost over and on behalf of (insert your client here) I want to thank you for blah blah blah blah blah blah blah..."

Here's what Mr. Black says:
If you want to thank the jury do it in the body of the argument not at the beginning. Everyone knows you really don’t mean this. It is condescending and pandering. They know this intuitively. So stop it. It sounds and is phony.

Mr. Black is right. Stop it. Nobody cares and nobody really believes what you're saying. Do you really think the jurors go into the back and say "Well I think the defendant is clearly not guilty but the prosecutor took the time to thank us for our service and the defense attorney didn't so maybe we should teach her a lesson and find her client guilty?"

Dolphins win! Nuff said.

See You In Court.




15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gene Zenobi has now been regional counsel for 1 month. after 4 articles by The Miami Herald about the firings there has been no information about what changes he has made, who he has fired and hired? What gives Rumphole, Why are you so silent on this issue which captivated your blog for a month?

Anonymous said...

Do you really think we win or maybe not win simply because we say thanks and waste maybe 1 stupid minute saying it?

Anonymous said...

Local attorney Alan Soven is quoted in the letters to the editor of the Herald today saying that Kathy Rundle should prosecute that 120 mph cop for fleeing.

Alan, it happened in Broward. Get your fact straight.

Rumpole said...

Give me some news about regional and I'll run with it. The likely scenario is that now that the office is being run by professionals, nothing news worthty os happening. What exactly should I write? " regional counsel attorneys reportedly happy and working hard at their jobs?"

Ok. I wrote it. Now what?

Anonymous said...

A verdict was reached in the Dr. Conrad Murray / Michael Jackson case. Rumpole, will you be covering it live?

Anonymous said...

Roy Black has never been one for niceties.

But my mother told me to say thank you whether you mean it or not, and whether or not the person deserves it.

Roy's point is that in that moment that he thinks is the single most important moment of the trial, don't waste it. He is probably right.

Besides, after a boring State closing, you have to wake em' up with something more than thanks.

Rumpole said...

Not for nothing but that is my point- don't waste the moment.

Anonymous said...

2;30 your comment about roy black connotes an intimate knowledge of the history of dade county. i am sure good old roy had no idea that jurors were bribed and witnesses being whacked when he defended the biggest drug dealer in miami.

Anonymous said...

I miss Sy.
DS

Anonymous said...

3:53-

To be honest, I was sort of talking out my ass when it comes to knowing anything about Mr. Black. I never met him, only know what I know by reputation and close reading of the blog.

As to his knowledge of any jury irregularities, I don't have a clue. But it is my hope that anyone that has a reputation such as his for top notch criminal defense has earned it the honest way.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Michael Feiler said...

Bring it on Clayton!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Mr. Feiler. Suicide Pool winner. Record still stands at 16 weeks for longest Suicide pool. Great job by CK as well.

Anonymous said...

you can waste as much time as you please when the jury has been paid off and the witnesses are dropping like flies.

Anonymous said...

Do you only thank the jurors who accepted bribes?

Anonymous said...

friend charged with agg assault. looking for a good lawyer. heard joe george is really good any thoughts?