Sunday update: Sad news this Easter Sunday as word reaches us that legendary 60 Minutes reporter Mike Wallace has passed away at the age of 93. For every season there is a time....
UPDATE: This is the 50th anniversary of the movie version of "To Kill A Mockingbird". The movie was on the USA network with a special introduction by President Obama.
Query: We can debate the best fictional novel (this makes our top five and perhaps our top two) and the best movie (Casablanca?) but isn't the movie version of TKAM the very best screen adaption of a novel that was ever done?
Sunday is Easter. Friday evening marked the beginning of Passover.
For those of you who observe either of these holidays, we wish you peace and happiness.
A few thoughts/questions that we have been pondering (for no particular reason- don't go reading between the lines for nothing) during this religious season:
If you could earn twice as much money from doing a job that does not intellectually challenge you, would you do it? If you earned 200K a year as a trial lawyer utilizing the skills you trained half a life time to earn, and someone offered you 400K to manage their pizza restaurant chain (please no nasty comments from pizza shop owners. We value what you do.) would you give up what you were born to do for more money?
If you met some shinning star who lit up your universe, but alas she/he lived in another country, and you have an established life/practice here, what would you do?
Is it ever ok to lie to the court to protect your client if the court asks an improper question?
Has a client ever asked you to present testimony you were fairly certain was not true? What did you do?
Is there any scenario where it is proper to violate a court order during trial to help your client win?
At this stage in your career, are you glad you became a lawyer or do you wish you trained for something else?
Do you believe in reincarnation? If so, why?
Will the Marlins have a winning season?
Today and Sunday we will be rooting for Fred Couples to win the Masters. Guys over 50 can compete.
Enjoy your weekend. Not too much Easter chocolate/Passover macaroons. Everything in moderation, ok?
See You Monday.
When you see something that is not right, not fair, find a way to get in the way and cause trouble. Congressman John Lewis
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.
43 comments:
Looks like Maria Elena Verde will win by default. Robert Coppel has violated campaign finance rules by donating more than $500 to his own campaign. Check out his campaign report. He contributed $50,500 to his campaign. Bye-bye Robert.
Can someone please tell me if a refusal will disqualify client from BOT?
Mickelson birdied the 18th at Augusta this year for the first two rounds. He keeps sticking his second shot iron to within several yards of the pin giving him the chance. Reminds me of Zoeller's famous second in the 18 round playoff with Norman on the 11th or Weiskoff's second into the wind at Shinecock's 12 in 74.
For those of you lucky enough to be at Augusta this weekend. I would recommend some nice chino shorts a collared shirt played off the light button down sweater because there is a chill in the early Georgia morning air.
Remember- it's better to look good than be good.
Sobelivinlarge baby!
I love practicing law. Success is not determined by money-- do what makes you happy and you will be rich.
No it's never ok for a lawyer to lie-- Lawyers lie when they have no case. They lie even harder when they have a wealthy client on the string.
Reincarnation-- The notion of "Haven't we met before - perhaps in another life?" was what I said to my wife when I first saw her not a pickup line. I was attracted to her, there was something about her and she felt it-- we recognized one another but didn't remember from where. Love at first sight" has been described as reincarnated mates finding each other once more. We met by chance I often say but she always corrects me, it was finally our time to meet. I;m sure many here will have their own opinion on this matter but how else can you explain this. If I had met her now and she lived elsewhere, it would not matter we would still want to be with each other and make it work somehow. That is what lovers do. Rump, upon recommendation of my wife, read 'The Bridge Across Forever' by Richard Bach or 'Soulmates' by Jess Stern.
The Marlins have a playoff worthy team, we’ve seen that so far but are they a team who can make the playoffs in a tough division and make a run in the playoffs if so? First, they have to stay healthy, which is obvious but Josh Johnson has to stay healthy and so do the big hitters in the line-up.
If they can they need a performance from Sanchez like last year, which is possible and Nolasco to improve a little and they have a rotation that could lead them far with usual performances from Buehrle and Johnson. The Marlins line-up is better than the Phillies and Nationals and possibly better than the Braves so they have that too but pitching wins the World Series and usually beats good hitting. They need their stars to be stars and Ozzie to handle everyone right.
BTW, The food selection at the stadium is great, but a bit pricey-- $12 Key lime chicken tacos
Wanna Be
You are allowed to give, donate or Loan AS MUCH of YOU OWN $$ as you want. You can finance the whole thing if you got the $. JUst ask Gov. Scott
DS
For $400k, I'd probably bang you rump.
Today at 5 am a home 43 blocks North and 12 locks west of the Justice Building whas hit with 15 rounds . A 15 year old girl was hit sleeping in her bed and went to JMH. She survived.
Yesterday Judge Bloom gave a Landlord life for killing a Tenant over a rent dispute. Defendant claimed acted in self-D when 'He Thought he saw the Victim go for a gun'. No Gun found by police in the victims home. Also it was in foreclosure.
The Barrister
Interesting questions Rump. I talk law five days a week I'm going to skip the law questions and head directly to the Marlins and Reincarnation.
Yes the Marlins will have a winning season and go on to win the world series!! GO MARLINS!! I bet if I told you 5 years ago that the Tampa would go to the World Series in 2008 you’d call me crazy.
I believe there is truth in Karma, what goes around comes around so why shouldn't I believe in Reincarnation? I think I might have been a painter in another life. I have an artistic side.
Confucius says there is one school of thought on reincarnation: the soul never dies and keeps being reborn and those memories and feelings from our previous life stay embedded in us.
If I met someone who lit up my life I'd have to redo law school in another country which I'd rather not do. Tell her to move in with me.
If making money is your only goal in life-- my answer is yes.
I hate the Marlins and the wasted money spent on that stoopid stadium.
Your shining star question needs more clarity-- is it geared to single or married folks?
2:50 p.m. misunderstands campaign finance law. The candidate can "loan" his or her campaign as much as they want. I wish there was a $500.00 limit...I'd be a much wealthier person today!!
I don't see the great improvement in the Marlins. Reyes is a very good player when healthy, but he's hurt a lot. Ramirez has to learn a new position and he was not even a good shortstop. Buehrle is an expensive .500 pitcher.
Rumpole must live under a rock especially if he has never heard of anyone meeting their significant other on vacation or traveling on business. It is called a long distance relationship.
I'm content with being a lawyer, at this stage in the game it's too late for a career change anyways. Can you be a sports announcer at 50?
I'd like to ask the question about lying to OJs Dream Team.
OJ Simpson will come back in another life as Mark Fuhrman's wife and Mark Furham will reincarnate as the greatest football player ever.
Ten years ago I thought about chucking it all away. I was fed up and burned out but after taking some time off I realized how missed being in trial. At this stage I'm glad to be working and being able to pay my bills and provide for the family.
I believe in reincarnation because with some people you meet you form an instant bond or places you visit you feel calmness and to feel that way you must have been there or have known that person in another life.
Will the Marlins have a winning season? Who's going to notice? By the end of May the novelty of the new stadium will wear off and the Marlins will be back to drawing 18,000 per game.
Marlins will finish 3rd or 4th in the division.
If I met someone-- I'm sure it's do-able if we work out the details.
For those who haven't read the Herald :
Defense attorney mulling Miami-Dade commission, state attorney runs..
Miami defense attorney Roderick Vereen has a choice to make.
Vereen says he has been approached by a lawyer for businessman and activist Norman Braman about possibly running for Miami-Dade Commission.
Good Luck Rod.
The Barrister
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/07/2735447/defense-attorney-mulling-miami.html#storylink=cpy
Rump,
I had an established life in California and picked up everything and started all over and moved to Florida on a whim for love. Seven years later I can say, with absolute certitude, that it was the best decision I have ever made. I would put it all on the line again to wake up next to my best friend and soul mate every day.
Six years in and I am bored to death being an attorney. I wish I had done ANYTHiNG else other than gone to law school. I would probably be A) making more money, B) happier, and C) more fulfililled. Even if I was working at Starbucks.
rump - youre getting philosophical in your old age. you state hack.
@9:36-- Kudos, man.
The thought that a Marlin World Series win will erase the fraud and outright theft involved in the building of the stadium makes my blood boil.
The stadium is a monument to greed and to the stupidity of the people who blindly follow the elected officials in Miami.
There is no money to help the homeless, treat the mentally ill, or defend the poor who are accused of crimes, but there is public money to build palaces for millionaires.
Disgusting.
I will never spend a dime at that stadium.
Refusal doesn't disqualify from BOT, it just makes it longer and more expensive.
No, just enhanced penalty.
I would not give up being a trial lawyer for double the money. This is my passion. You can't put a dollar value on that.
No shining stars for me. Married with two kids. i ain't goin' to another country.
No it's not ok to lie.
Yes, I've put on testimony I was fairly certain was not true, but "fairly certain" is a little vague. You tell the client to tell the truth. I wasn't there. I don't know what happened. Fairly certain is different from actually knowing.
It's not proper to violate a court order. You make your objection, renew it, proffer, but you don't violate the court order. Let the appellate court figure it out if you lose.
I'm glad I became a trial lawyer.
Don't believe in reincarnation.
Don't care about the Marlins.
Happy Easter.
Mockingbird is so overrated and over-talked about in this blog.
It is not the best ever screen adaptation
1) The Godfather
2) Gone With the Wind
Are just two off the top of my head.
3) I think One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is also an adaptation from a Novel.
If I were to look at the AFI top 100, I could probably pick out another 25 that I would rather see again than have to sit through TKAM again.
So here we are, another weekend, two religious holidays, two groups of people stuffing themselves silly.
I've read the new testament account of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection. I don't see any accounts of people stuffing themselves with lamb and ham and gorging on chocolate bunnies.
Bring in the legal community in Miami, I've been dragged to many seders. If matzo is the bread of affliction- is brisket the meat of affliction? Are potato pancakes the vegetable of affliction? Is matzo stuffing mentioned in the Exodus? How about chocolate macaroons? When did the Israelites who were slaves have time to enjoy a macaroon?
I would think that if Passover is really about remembering suffering and affliction and the flight from slavery then people should spend a few days hungry, eating a bit of matzo and perhaps a bite of an apple and then learning to live their life with less instead of gorging themselves. I see these people at seders with almost a religious ferver as if some religious text has commanded "thou shall eat chicken matzo ball soup and brisket and sweet cakes until your clothes do not fit."
I just cannot believe how food is now so intertwined with worshiping the divine.
Vereen should run for PD, NOT SA! C'mon Rod!
Angury Gurl--
Worship the LORD your G-d, and his blessing will be on your food and water.
or chicken matzo ball soup
Exodus 23:25
Begining July 1st HB 947 goes into effect- having just been signed by Gov. Scott. The New Law sets a 10-year minimum sentence for possession of a firearm during a burglary of a conveyance, aggravated assault; or possession of a firearm by a felon. The crimes had been subject to a three-year minimum sentence.
The South Park Passover episode this week was one of the best ever. Trey Parker and Matt Stone have taken out just about every major religion with their satire by now and their genius is to simply state the facts underlying the religious belief in question without any embellishment and let the illogic and absurdity of the doctrine speak for itself. The Scientology episode was another classic.
Silence of the lambs
Not sure the bill reads that way, BoB. The only new language to section 775.087(2)(a)1. is the following:
However, if an offender who is convicted of the offense of
possession of a firearm by a felon has a previous conviction of
committing or attempting to commit a felony listed in s.
775.084(1)(b)1. and actually possessed a firearm or destructive
device during the commission of the prior felony, the offender shall be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of 10
years.
So the statute seems to be amended to allow for the 10 year mandatory if the offender's previous felony conviction was for:
a. Arson;
b. Sexual battery;
c. Robbery;
d. Kidnapping;
e. Aggravated child abuse;
f. Aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult;
g. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon;
h. Murder;
i. Manslaughter;
j. Aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person or disabled adult;
k. Aggravated manslaughter of a child;
l. Unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb;
m. Armed burglary;
n. Aggravated battery; or
o. Aggravated stalking.
But here's the bill, you decide
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/0947/BillText/er/PDF
Angry Gurl,
I have to disagree with you on this one. Just because our forefathers suffered, does not mean we have to. In fact, part of remembrance is the knowledge that we have it much better than they did.
Nothing is an excuse for stuffing ourselves, but when people get together, we often over indulge. Such is human nature.
Further, sitting through an occasional Seder you have no idea of affliction. Spend two nights with your family at a three hour dinner, and an entire week eating cardboard instead of bread, and you may understand the need for macaroons and fried potato pancakes.
Give that a try, and you may know the meaning of the word affliction.
THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:
ELECTION CENTRAL .....
Ten working days left in the qualifying period and only one candidate in an open seat is unopposed.
Tanya Brinkley in County Court Group 28 still does not have an opponent. Can she survive another ten days and get elected without opposition?
Tick Tock .....
Cap Out .....
Coppel is a smart and ethical guy. Nice try 2:50 PM
Someone needs to file against Tanya Brinkley ASAP!!!!!!!!! Anyone....Anyone....Anyone
1. If I did not have to enter my billing time at the Pizza joint, yes I would do a job that was not intellectually stimulating for twice the money.
2. ONLY if the other person was someone I could not live without, I would move. Who gives a shit about an established practice. If you have one, you can afford to close it up and travel.
3. It is NEVER ok to lie in court and any lawyer that does should be disbarred.
4. A client asked me to argue that her husband beat her even though she admitted he had not. I refused and she is no longer a client.
5. It is never ok to violate a court order. That is what the appellate court is there for.
6. I wish I had been a doctor. Would have been a more honorable profession, legitimately helped more people, and would not have had to enter billables.
7. Yes, I believe in reincarnation. Obviously most of Miami are on their first go-round and have MANY MANY more life lessons to learn as they return to earth.
8. The Marlins will stink, as does their dumb ass manager. The people who allowed the taxpayers to pay for that stadium, along with the owners, etc. who claimed they could not afford to pay for it privately, should all be in prison.
Rump - No grand jury in George Zimmerman case? Does this mean a filing decision has already been made by the office?
What say you?
After almost 20 years in, I'm ready to move on to something different and would take that pizza job.
This job drains you; lost the passion after about year 12, really started feeling that the system is so screwed up that it's not worth it in the last few years.
Some will say the same about monogomy, but I don't know if we were meant to do the same thing for our entire lives.
I would do it again though; it's been worth it, haven't made my millions, not even by a long-shot, but it's been a comfortable living.
Remember Officer Jerry Davenport from the Metro DUI squad. He was working at the police shooting range but, guess what, he's back on the street doing DUI's. Stay home on the weekends!
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