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.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

IS THE BLOOM OFF THE ROSE?

It starts as a mumble, progresses to a grumble, and eventually the complaints reach our ears and eyes and email in-box.

So just wondering which federal judge, former state court judge, is not making friends with the lawyers by rejecting pleas and complaining about the leniency of pleas and suggested sentences? This difficult attitude culminated Tuesday in the Judge, on a one year recommended sentence by both parties for a young woman, after expressing displeasure at the sentence, eventually accepting the sentence,  and then rejected the agreement and request from both sides not to take the defendant into custody, ruling that "The Holidays are no reason to allow a surrender at a later date" or words to that effect. BAH! Humbug. 

So now, on a relatively low sentence, the defendant was taken to FDC and will be housed there until sent to a facility for a few months, and then released. It's more expensive for the taxpayers, and it's more punitive than either party wanted. And that's okay- Judges are required to make decisions that sometimes no one agrees with. But this is- we are told- not an isolated incident. 

So what's going on with a judge who took the bench with great promise? 
Why the difficult demeanor and harsh treatment of defendants?
Is the Bloom off the rose? That would be very sad and disappointing. 

From Occupied America, where the new tax cuts benefit us by a saving of about $13,000.00 a year, but it's still a bad bill, Fight The Power.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

So strange. I remember her being a very fair judge in county court, where 10 day sentences after trial where rare. Now she has an extremely harsh reputation. What happened?

Anonymous said...

Show me a criminal who delayed committing a crime because it would affect his victim's holiday plans and I might agree with you.

Millennial Me. said...

Everything about federal court seems so strange, and self important, and for a new lawyer like me- exciting. But the judges seem all mean and mad all the time at the lawyers and I wonder why that is?

Anonymous said...

Forget Federal Court-how about the SAO's new policy of not waiving gun min. man's and CC min. man's-I've had three pleas blow up in the last few weeks because of this new policy-which is only going to force many more trials where the clients are going to be risking everything. And ROC Court is going to be hit the hardest-which is a real problem for defense attorneys.

Anonymous said...

I appeared before her on many a occasions but i truely never understood why she was fawned over by the defense bar. I still don’t.

Anonymous said...

Because half the time they are faced with the petty arguments that you find in state court when dealing with under prepared lawyers fighting about inconsequential issues.

Federal judges prefer the attorneys to work issues out and come fight prepared about the things that matter.

Sometimes you can't because you are dealing with a difficult ausa who isn't reasonable. Then it becomes frustrating because many of the judges don't hammer the ausa as they should.

Anonymous said...

I had a Sentencing with her and she treated me well....but then again I’ve got the Kavorka

Anonymous said...

This rose has always been thorny.

Anonymous said...

I have not appeared in front of her in FedCt. However, I tried 2 jury trials in front of Beth Bloom when she was in Circuit Civil and she was amazing. Smart, prepared and great temperament. Someone must have really pissed her off.

Anonymous said...

The Q used to run circles around her in state court. made her nuts.

Anonymous said...

She's the new Lenard.

Millennial Me said...

Hey I'm hearing about is ALL MALE holiday party today at some secret restaurant with lawyers and judges and food and booze and I'm wondering why I CAN'T attend???

Anonymous said...

Because people want to be free to behave as themselves without fear of "me too" biting them in the ass.

Anonymous said...


Shouldn't be surprised when rich, politically people become judges and turn out to be hacks. Look at the current JNC list.

Anonymous said...

This is where we are headed.

Anonymous said...

Rump, you got your facts wrong. Way wrong. We represented the defendants. Judge Bloom did not express displeasure at the sentence. Judge Bloom did not suggest that it was too lenient. Judge Bloom did not take the plea reluctantly. This was a very difficult case and Judge Bloom was always completely professional, fair, respectful, patient, thoughtful, impartial, cordial and just.

Bill Barzee
Marc Seitles
Sabrina Puglisi

Anonymous said...

Richard Hersch will be back in criminal after one year in Juvie.

Anonymous said...

the horror a Judge who sentences people harshly

so unfair

Anonymous said...

Very well said.

Anonymous said...

If it’s an all male party, and you’re a female, do you really need to ask why you aren’t invited? I’ll give you are hint, you aren’t a male...

Anonymous said...

This may or may not be true, but I declare this comment inherently unreliable, given the circumstances.

Anonymous said...

Your silence speaks volumes.

I deduce while she was "completely professional, fair, respectful, patient, thoughtful, impartial, cordial and just," she therefore was not compassionate, empathetic, or even soulful.

Lordy, I hope there are transcripts.