THE BEST OF THE BEST

ASA Sally Weintraub is retiring at the end of this month. She's a spry 85. Judge Reemberto Diaz, who had several memorable battles against her when he was a defense attorney, rightly called her "one of the best of the best." 

The Herald's article, written by David Ovalle is here. 
Having had our share of cases with Ms. Weintraub, we echo Judge Diaz's comment: The best of the best.  

Some of the highlights from Ovalle's article: 
Janet Reno recruited Ms. Weintraub in 1979, when she was in her 50's! Most lawyers have an eye on an early retirement at that age. Sally Weintraub started the career that would define her as a lawyer. 
Ms. Weintraub had many accomplishments in her career, which the Herald article recounts. We confine our remarks to her last case: The prosecution of the murderer of young Rilya Wilson. 
Rilya Wilson was a foster child. Her disappearance wasn't  noticed/was covered up- for an astounding fifteen months! She was unwanted, apparently unloved, and the State sadly failed in it's obligation to this child. But Sally Weintraub spoke for her when no one else could or would. She prosecuted her killer. The convictions for kidnapping and child abuse couldn't bring this poor child back, but it gave her a dignity in death that she was deprived of in life: someone cared. 

Our community has been blessed because of Ms. Weintraub. We need more prosecutors like her. Personally, we didn't always agree with how she saw a case. But we always respected her view and her dedication. We wish her well in her retirement; a retirement she earned decades ago, but forfeited to serve the people of Miami. Godspeed Ms. Weintraub. 

JUDGE GAYLES CONFIRMED. 

Judge Darrin Gayles was confirmed by the United States senate (motto "proudly not agreeing on almost anything since 1789, but even more so recently") 98-0 on Tuesday as a United States District Judge. Judge Gayles joins a distinguished group of District Court Judges who started their judicial career in the REGJB as a County Court Judge. From Misdemeanors in 2004 to a lifetime appointment in 10 years. Not bad. Not bad at all. 
(For you history buffs who take umbrage with the date of 1789, the senate was created in the drafting of the Constitution in 1787, but first convened in 1789.) 

Is the Bloom off the Rose? UPDATE: NO!
Judge Beth Bloom was nominated at the same time as Judge Gayles. She and Judge Gayles were voted favourably out of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the same time. And yet Judge Gayles was confirmed, but a vote was not held on Judge Bloom, who in our humble opinion is as equally deserving as Judge Gayles. We (for once) have no answer as to the delay. Can anyone shed some light on this? 
UPDATE: Several alert readers wrote in to inform us that Judge Gayles was included with other judicial nominees for political purposes that relate to private matters. Judge Bloom's nomination is scheduled for an up/down vote with the next batch of Judges. However, not to jinx anyone, but in this current political climate, if Obama sneezes and uses the wrong handkerchief, the right wing of the senate is likely to respond by freezing all his judicial nominees. We hope Judge Bloom gets a vote before the 2014 political season heats up with the mid-term elections.

See you in court.