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.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

STATE COURTS CLOSED MONDAY

AND NOW LAST, AND LEAST, MIAMI DADE STATE COURTS HAVE BEEN (apparently reluctantly) ORDERED CLOSED ON MONDAY. 

Federal court is closed. Read below. 

UPDATE: Neil Armstrong has died at age 82 following complications from cardiovascular surgery. 

MIAMI DADE SCHOOLS CLOSED MONDAY. No change on courts. So for all of you parents of school aged children who work in the court system, what can Brown do for you? But because public schools are closed, federal court is closed, as per Judge Moreno's "Inclement Weather Policy." ( (c) Chief Judge Moreno, 2012, all rights reserved. )

UPDATE: Our favourite federal judge (everyone should have one) Jack B. Weinstein of the Eastern District of New York (that's Brooklyn for the few people in Miami who don't come from NY) has ruled that Poker is a game of skill and thus poker rooms cannot be prosecuted under federal anti-gambling laws. From the Agent Orange Case in the early 1980's, to his outspoken opposition to minimum mandatory sentencing schemes, to his handling of the case against mafia crime boss Vinny the Chin (when the oft told joke in the Brooklyn courthouse was that the lord was seeing a psychiatrist because he thought he was Judge Weinstein kept making the rounds)  Jack B. Weinstein is a great, great judge. 

As dawn breaks over Miami Saturday, winds and rain lash our community and power outages are starting to be reported. TS Isaac is approaching Cuba and the Florida straits, where it is expected to strengthen. Hurricane warnings have been posted for the Florida Keys and a tropical storm watch for the east coast of Florida. 

And our 11th Judicial Circuit posted this notice that courts will be open on Monday. And so it goes. UPDATE: This notice states courts will be closed on Monday. The chief judge congratulates the Miami Heat on a well deserved victory and championship. 

Because they're so on top of things, there's also a notice governing the use of beepers in the courthouse. (not really)

A BILLION TO APPLE
This minute by minute coverage of the verdict on the ATL blog is interesting, but it doesn't answer the question we all have after reviewing the billion dollar verdict Apple received Friday night: Siri- did Morrison and Foster and WillmerHale have a contingency fee recovery in their retainer with Apple? 

The Dolphins stink. 4-12 looks about right. Just enough wins to avoid the top three picks in the draft. And so it goes. 

Stay safe and dry. 


62 comments:

Anonymous said...

4 wins? What's with all the optomisim?

Anonymous said...

What is Brown going to do for me

Diary of the Chief Judge said...

Dairy of the Chief Judge:
Dear Diary: this is why they pay me the big bucks. A major decision. Thousands of employees and millions of citizens in Miami Dade all counting on me to make the right call. I've consulted the experts. I've pondered the imponderables. I've prayed. Now I can truly say I know just what Eisenhower felt as he made the go-no go decision for D-Day, or what President Bush (pick either one, he he he) felt when he decided to invade. These are the decisions that only the leader can make. No one can imagine the pressure I am under. But as I sit here, I think I've decided:

From henceforth the 11th Judicial Circuit and all its vending machines and cafeterias that serve our courthouses will only sell Pepsi products.

Anonymous said...

Joel,

Close the courts Monday.

Remember Katrina? It was just a tropical depression off the coast of Broward and then, a monster that caused major damage in the Grove and Kendall.

So....make us go to court and YOU will be responsible for any injury or death.

We should all be home Monday morning and not on the roads. They are predicting 8 fucking inches of rain and you want me in court.

So warned!

Rumpole said...

You see? It is the colorful language of the locals that we lack when trying to get our point across.

10:12 said it much more succinctly than we did. Well done. Well done indeed.

Now close the f'ing courts on Monday.

This Day in History said...

This Day in History: on this day in 1944, after four years of Nazi occupation, the city of Paris was liberated by Allied forces.

Anonymous said...

Vive la france.

Anonymous said...

There is a hurricane warning in effect for South Dade. They need to close the courts.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...


The Captain Reports:

Great news for the courts and the lawyers. There will be no traffic on Monday because they just closed the schools. Have a safe drive to Lot 26. See you at 9:00am, unless you have a case before Judge Pando at 9; then, see you at 10:30.

Cap Out ......

Angry Girl said...

Remember- what you eat when you stay home because of a storm does NOT count. So load up on chips and cookies and ice cream and cake and candy because a storm is nearby and the calories don't count.

Mopes.

And what's the deal with this moronic chief judge. There's a frickin HURRICANE near by. Even if it doesn't "hit" us Monday morning, there will be a torrential downpour and nobody should be on the roads. Get off your duff and close the courts Brown. Idiot.

Anonymous said...

Brown's a clown

Anonymous said...

Broward and Dade schools closed Monday.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...


The Captain Reports:

THAT'S ONE SMALL STEP FOR MAN, ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND .....

GOD SPEED NEIL ARMSTRONG, GOD SPEED

CAPTAIN OUT .....

Anonymous said...

Thanks JB! Now some parents will have to drag their kids to court on a wet stormy day hope you'll sign their sick notes when they catch cold!

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...


THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

MIAMI-DADE COURTS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR MONDAY .....

Ok Rump, Judge Brown made the difficult decision moments ago. The Courts are closed for Monday.

Cap Out .....

BROWN IN HISTORY said...

Imagine Joel Brown making important decisions in history:

Brown: " The earthquakes and radiation leaks at the Fukishima power plants are minimal. Citizens are urged to remain in their homes"

Brown: "This scare at Three Mile Island is just a scare. Nobody should flee the area."

Brown: "Hurricane Andrew poses a minimal threat to Florida and South Dade. Everyone should spend a pleasant day at home watching TV and go to work the next morning."

Brown: "Apple and their computers are a flash in the pan. It won't amount to much. Buy a nice Zeos and computer and don't buy any apple stock. You'll thank me in the future."

Rumpole said...

BTW; 301 TWITTER followers. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I remember a huricane warning years ago where the mayor told us to get out of Dodge and the storm made a turn and missed us. The next day, judges issued all kinds of arrest warrants for those who couldn't get back.

Gotta love those judges.

Rumpole said...

BTW The JAA blog reports that a BSO Deputy and a JA were caught canoodling or in flagrante delicto in a courthouse jury room. The blog further reports that the third wheel snitched them out and an investigation has begun.

As George Costanza said when he was caught sleeping with the cleaning lady at work "I gotta plead ignorance on this...."

Anonymous said...

You forgot this Brown gem:

"Hey, this Limited Registry thing might just work. I like what I see here. This sucker's got legs..."

Anonymous said...

The "crime and punishment" thread is dead, but I have a thought.

The gun nuts are all, "if they'd had guns in the batman theater, the gun holders would have stopped it."

How do you square that with the nine victims shot by cops at the Empire State shooting?

Anonymous said...

6:15 pm.

The carry public has better shooters?

Your point is ...what?

Anonymous said...

Oops. Response to 6:54 pm.

Confused New ASA said...

I just got a blast email that our office went on a Level II alert. Here's the thing- I'm just in county court. I left the stupid handbook at work. I don't have the foggiest clue about what I am supposed to do when we go to Level II. Any help?

Anonymous said...

Relax 8:23 - I am an ASA and I am guessing Level 1means power off computer and move boxes into hallway. Since the decision wasn't made till a few hours ago and since I do not recall seeing an email on Friday iwith directives, there is absolutely nothing for u to do or would be expected to do. Office is closed on Monday so simply make sure that you are safe and that you have your hurricane provisions. I thought there was a phone tree that was to be utilized in this situation but... As a prosecutor there for over 20 years, relax and stay safe.

Rumpole said...

I don't print comments about the two judges on camera. Old news. Personal issue. Not for the blog

Anonymous said...

Level II means you report to Don Horn at the office the next morning at 5AM for close order drills:

"I don't know, but it's been said

I don't know but it's been said

PD JDs are made from lead,,,

PD JDs are made from lead.

I don't know But I've been told

I don't know but I've been told

ASAs are made from gold

ASAs are made from gold!"

That kind of stuff.

Diary of the Chief Judge said...

Dear Diary:
I have decided to set an example and brave the storm by hunkering down no matter what the dangers or inconveniences.

midnight: trees swaying outside. Called Papa Johns for a mid night snack. No pizza delivery! Damn. This is going to be tougher than I thought.

Diary of the Chief Judge said...

Dear Diary: It was a rough night. The anticipation of the storm kept me tossing and turning. And that weather girl on channel 7 doesn't help. Mamma Mia! Talk about a hot weather system!

Hungry after missing my saturday midnight pizza snack. Going to starbucks for a double latte. They'd better be open or I will crack. As Lance Armstrong just said, there is only so much a man can take, and I am a that point.

Diary of the Chief Judge said...

Dear Diary:
The rain and winds have come. Holy Feeder Bands Batman! This is getting serious. Intermittent reception on my Direct TV because of wind and rain. What ever happened to cable in the good old days?
Meanwhile TMZ reports Snooki had her baby. Hope my gift arrived. Cute kid that Snookie. Baby too, I guess.

I am uploading this diary to the clouds in the event the storm takes a bad turn as channel seven is clearly hoping for, Then there will be a record of one brave man, who hunkered down, and stuck it out, facing hours if not days of limited Starbucks and bad TV reception.

Memo to self if I make it through this: What to do about Milt Hirsch? It just keeps getting worse and worse. Maybe probate is answer.
More later if the internet holds out.

Anonymous said...

If this guy is sitting at home writing this because he/she's is bored, I have one word: BRILLIANT. OK- two words- F'ing BRILLIANT. Please keep it up. Its the best part of this sucky rainy day.

Diary of the Chief Judge said...

Dear Diary:
Very quick update. Direct TV held out long enough to download that last Louie CK episode I missed. Thank the lord I can watch it through this nasty weather.

A Man In Full said...

Isaac totally wiped out my social life this weekend. Props to the CJ for watching the coolest show on TV- Louie is the best. Probably even Fake Kenny W doesn't know about it.

Anonymous said...

Very nice of the public defender to be sending weekend emails to staff with links to articles and announcements about some new help with sentencing.

Any mention of storm? Any offer of help or assistance to the new hires from out of state that have only read about tropical cyclones? Nope. Silent Charlie is now aloof Charlie.

Anonymous said...

Not to be a dark cloud (pun intended) but the storm is moving through Miami right now. Just exactly why was court and schools closed tomorrow? By six PM it will be bright and sunny outside.

Confused New ASA said...

10:24- at least you didn't get an email like I did telling me that our office was going to a Level II alert without telling me anything about what I am supposed to do.

Anonymous said...

I won, I won, I won, I won.......(victory dance while humming Boogie fever.......yes, yes, yes.) This is exactly what happened when a judicial candidate won. Can u guess who?

Anonymous said...

1024

If your educated enough to pass the bar, I think your a big boy/girl and don't need to rely on "silent Charlie" for tropical storm advice.

Anonymous said...

Not the point 12:30. Wouldn't have killed him to end his message with "be safe, etc." goes a long way and it shows some class.

Anonymous said...

12:30

It's called leadership, asshole. No one expects the public defender to help put up shutters, any more than we expect the commander-in-chief to be the point on a platoon in Afghanistan. But leadership IS expected.

Anonymous said...

Either Brinkley or Verde. I bet they like Boogie Fever.

Anonymous said...

Took the family to the Coconut Grove movie theater last night. The parking lot upstairs was full except for two spaces that were reserved 24/7 for Lewis and Tein, PA. I pulled into one of their spots, told my wife the sordid details of their latest travails, then found another spot elsewhere.

Did I do the right thing by not parking there or should I have tempted fate?

Anonymous said...

With the storm on top of us ,
Don Carlito, Jefe de PD, sent
out important email office wide.

No, he did not issued a notice the office was closed Monday nor safety tips. Not even a inspirational note to stay safe.

Don Carlito sent an email on Cognitive Bias Saturday at 6pm and at 8:50 this morning an email on Sentencing Mitigation.


Diary Of the Chief Judge said...

Dear Diary: The rain continues inexorably like the incoming tide. Muffy and Teacup, my miniature schnauzers, are restless. The power has held out, but I still can't get pizza delivery. if Wongs is closed, tonight will indeed be a long night. I don't know whether or not I will make it through this. But I want history to record that I was the last man out of the ship. In the face of winds peaking in the high twenties, I made sure the women and children got out first. Such is the life of a lonely leader. Ike had it. McArthur had it as he held out in the Philippines. The captain of the Titanic had it (how come nobody every remembers his name?) and I have it.

Resolved:If I somehow make it out of this wretched mess to make the courts run more like the Titanic.
The sooner this prima donna judges start treating me with the respect of the captain of the Titanic, the better things will run.

Wow. A crash of thunder has sent Muffy and Teacup running. Need to check on them. More later if I can.

Anonymous said...

Every time you look, Carlos is starting a new pilot project aimed at some bullshit other than litigation. Now he demotes an appellate attorney and has her harassing actual litigators about mitigation packets and sentencing. What the hell does she know about sentencing or mitigation? I swear, the glorious public defenders office is becoming nothing more than a huge state funded social work department.

PD Petey said...

Say what you want about Carlos, but when he Bennett showed up at Bobby Aaron's retirement party Friday and sang a duet of "I Hope You Had The Time of Your Life" there wasn't a dry eye in the house. That little duet appearance is becoming standard at retirement parties as all the old PDs just fade away......

Anonymous said...

Channel six reporting over 16K south florida without power. This is getting worse! Isaac a natural disaster of unprecedented proportions. I haven't been able to eat at the Palm in over two days!

Anonymous said...

The attorney wasn't demoted, she was rehired after leaving some time ago. Not to take away from the rest of your post...

Anonymous said...

DS

Your silence is defeaning. What say you about your boss and the storm?

POAHB said...

My Isaac blessing in disguise: 25 year old female lawyer here. No other identifying data as where I work or what I look like (other than having been told I am very very attractive). I admit a weakness for older distinguished men- but NOT married. Was dating this lawyer- real power player. The type of guy who when we went to the best restaurants federal judges got up to come to our table to speak with him. He never got up to meet anyone. Private jets for weekends in Vegas or midweek hearings in Manhattan where he had a suite at the Carlyle and the staff knew him by name and how he liked his coffee- (black - two teaspoons of organic honey- way cool).

My friends said not to trust him and as the storm approached, the one thing I had never done was see his apartment. And that's because he was stuck and I found out he is MARRIED with a house and kids in Pinecrest. ASS. I hope you read this (he does read the blog) and ROT IN HELL. I won't expose your slimly ass, but I won't answer your emails (spam blocked) and as you can see, I have changed my phone.

I am going to get a cat or a dog or a parrot or all three. I am done with you jerks. I hope your next "conquest" gives you herpes you stuck up jerk. I am really angry, can't sign my name as angry girl because that is taken, so call me,
PISSED OFF and heartbroken.

Anonymous said...

David Weed was warned, but did not have the power or the vision to act. The frog was left without a job in the end. He would still be running the show if the war of 2004 had been won. The frog was double crossed by Rory in the end. And Rory emerged as the great mitigator replacing the puppet master.

c. david weed, you are missed...

Anonymous said...

When did this blog turn to Dear Ann Landers?

Anonymous said...

No intention to be rude but you sound like a typical Miami gold digger--the entire first paragraph of your post is explaining why and how this guy is a "power player." Learn to pay your own bills so that you can select the man that you want based upon deeper qualities than money. And please don't waste our time whining on this blog about your transparent willful blindnes because Richy Rich is a married man. Here's a clue for future,v if you never see his place, he has something to hide. Not condoning what he did but you have equal blame

Anonymous said...

The PD is not a Social Work department. DSU does not do social work, in fact they are useless now. The APDs do all the evals and placement of clients.

Anonymous said...

"other than having been told I am very very attractive" Dear God please get over yourself young sugarbaby - Sugar Daddy's gone so time to grow up. And please spare us from the blah blah blah I loved him crap - ur post is unequivocal, u were in it or the $ and power that u thought was attached to him. Your kind of pathetic girl.

Anonymous said...

5:39 pm, seems like you didn't do your due diligence before getting involved with this dude... or that money and power kind of blinded you to the obvious.

old guy said...

I have not been able to eat at the PALM in over five years; since they stopped aging their beef. I will not pay those prices for Outback food.

Anonymous said...

POAHB, boo hoo. A much older guy took you to fancy restaurants and on expensive vacations but wouldn't take you to his apartment. What did you think was going on? You must be pretty stupid. No pity here.

Anonymous said...

for what it's worth the courts should be open tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Rory is no Weed. I miss Weed. He knew how to mange lawyers.

Anonymous said...

So has anyone asked Judge Hirsch about what he thinks about the federal appeals court reversing Shelton. He has got to feel pretty foolish

Anonymous said...

Ha ha ha Hirsch!