It's a three day weekend, and change is on our mind.
There used to be no security checks at the courthouse. You could walk right in.
But that changed.
There used to be separate bathrooms and water fountains at the courthouses for "Coloreds and Jews", but that that changed.
People used to smoke in the courtrooms, but that changed.
There used to be no women or Hispanic or Asian or African-American or Haitian Judges, but that changed.
The Champion Golfer and amazing person Gary Player has ten commandments for life. "Change is the price of survival" is number one. Check out his website here. Every one of the commandments is a life lesson.
All of these things, and many more have changed since the REGJB opened its doors circa 1962.
There is climate change, and the first African-American president. The Soviet Union rose and fell. So did the Fourth Amendment.
We may have our first woman president. Or our first lunatic as president (but not our first megalomaniac.)
There's been flight, and space-flight, and landings on the Moon and Mars, and the re-paving of some streets in Hialeah.
In the REGJB there's been Cozzoli's, The Pickle Barrel, Au Bon Pain, and now El Chapo Cafe.
And we even have Wi-Fi at our courthouse! Which means you sit staring at your device as the power bar flickers between zero and one, and nothing loads. We used to stare at Newspapers and Magazines while sipping bad black coffee and waiting for our next case. Now we stare at websites unloaded and dream of streaming Netflix while sipping bad black coffee while waiting for our next case.
Change is everywhere.
Except when it comes to summer and the outmoded, ridiculous, ancient, antiquated, superannuated, if not antediluvian requirement that gentlemen lawyers wear a coat and a tie to court during the summer.
That hasn't changed.
Are you listening Judges Soto and Sayfie? Female lawyers used to rightfully complain that male judges had no regard or consideration for them.
The more things change....
Enjoy your long weekend.
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.
Friday, May 27, 2016
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18 comments:
Amazing article. Thanks
Mr. Rumpole, once again you honor us with your annual tirade against appropriate and professional attire. Perhaps you should move your practice to Broward where in the courthouse it's difficult to tell the difference between the lawyers and the random homeless person asking for a dollar. (Alas, it used to be a quarter but with the costs of Obamacare and other government programs it was to be expected.) Being a lawyer is not or should not be considered a mere job and a suit and tie a mere uniform. It is a sign of the respect and dignity that should be afforded the law and all of those who have the privilege and honor of engaging in its practice.
The way we dress denotes and distinguishes us from other professions and we should rue the day if, or when, those of your persuasion are able to have their way. How could it be acceptable for some men to not wear ties and jackets in court for example and then not acceptable for others, including women, from wearing shorts or sandals? Or is your dress code simply no dress code at all? Anyone wearing Crocs of course should be shot on site in my opinion.
Perhaps you should also send your appeal to federal court, one of the last vestiges of professionalism left in the law, and ask Chief Judge Moore to address your concerns?
It's sad the decline of standards in too many aspects of our culture is emblematic of the greater decline of our Western civilization.
Civil has a relaxed dress code for summer...at least some judges do. My wife laughs at me while I sweat out my suit and she goes to court all casual. I laugh while telling her to stay away from the asbestos!
PS. As men we will most assuredly lose the battle of "Women aren't sensitive to our needs" so play that card delicately.
So what are you suggesting? Sandals, shorts, and cheap Hawaiian shirts? Why not just show up barefoot with a bathing suit and straw hat? Dressing well shows class, self restraint, self respect and respect for others. If you dress well, other people will act accordingly.
Love ya Mate, but disagree on this one. I think that there has to be at least one place left that inspires respect and perhaps awe in people. I detest seeing lawyers in court wearing jeans, sneakers, jacket no tie. Call me a snob, call me old fashioned, this is a profession, and we can put proper a tie on. Try seersucker or linen. Great fabric for hot weather. What do you suggest. Khakis and a polo ?
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
If you have to send out two retractions in one week on the facdl list serve, perhaps you are using it way too much. Please stop.
From the Washington Post:
Here are Donald Trump's teleprompter positions over the past month, from April 27 through May 27:
—April 27: Pro. Uses a teleprompter while delivering a foreign policy speech.
—May 2: Con. "I don't have any teleprompters...I'm up here all by myself."
—May 20: Pro. "I've started to use [teleprompters] a little bit. They're not bad. You never get yourself in trouble when you use a teleprompter."
—May 22: Con. Attacks Clinton because she "reads off a teleprompter, you notice. She's reading off a teleprompter, she always does."
—May 24: Con. "We should have a law that when you run for president, you shouldn't be allowed to use a teleprompter."
—May 26: Pro. Uses a teleprompter while delivering an energy policy speech in North Dakota.
—May 27: Con. "Isn't it great when you don't use teleprompters? ...we oughta have a law that if you're running for president, you can't use teleprompters."
(To be continued....)
Ed Car Hart just died. So sad. One of the great ones from the Gerstein Era. Great article on him in the Herald.
It's not the decline of western civilization. It's just the choice not to have to wear a freaking jacket when its 90 degrees out and 100% humidity when going to court on a motion to continue.
Go Trump.
Big shot like you should have a stable of coverage lawyers to handle petty matters.
Your clothes shouldn't matter if your argument is on point.
Western civilization is based upon lawyers wearing regionally inappropriate attire to court? I'm sure your boy Trump will return the public morals to greatness. I for one am looking forward to the day when every American is encouraged to marry often with young trophy wives and steal money from students. Also my summer casual wardrobe is nicer than what 99% of lawyers wear to court.
Guayberas for all!
Rumpole, one key plank in my campaign platform 6 years ago was that, if elected, I'd happily hear from lawyers wearing guyaberas and similar attire from mid-June to mid-August.
Just another reason my resounding defeat in 2010 defies easy explanation.
Someone on the list serve needs to stop the self grandiosity and the " I practice at a high level" bs. I have blocked you, I encourage others to do the same
Rumpole, any thoughts on Miami Beach PD blatantly trying to distract from the obvious racism in their urban beach weekend military state by posting gratuitous photos with black people and cops on their Twitter account all weekend? Is this the "I'm not racist I have lots of black friends approach?"
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