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.

Monday, July 28, 2008

1000+

Very quietly last week we posted our 1000th blog post.
It seems a bit surprising that we have sat down at various computers over the years almost a thousand times (we've had a few guests and the Captain contributes regularly) to write, mostly about our little world.

For me personally, the blog has meant a few things:
It has taken more of my time than I ever imagined. It has caused me to feel a certain weight of responsibility as I realized over time that people I knew and liked were reading things that sometimes bothered them. And at times I have made some very bad mistakes. But I know I have learned from them, and I hope my apologies were accepted in the spirit they were given.

But mostly it has been a joy. Wonderful things have been written by others on this blog, and it has contributed in a small way to creating a better sense of community in our courthouse.

Personally, it has made me a far better writer.

I can remember the very first time I sat at a table of lawyers and judges and heard someone mention that they laughed when they read something I wrote on the blog. That was an almost indescribable feeling- much like when I won my first jury trial.

So thank you for reading. I work as hard as I can to make this a fair and open forum for discussion about our courthouse. Not everyone is happy with what I do and the decisions I make. And in the end, much like those robed readers I enjoy poking every now and then, that must mean I'm doing a pretty good job.

See You In Court.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Has anyone ever realized from reading the Herald endorsements that they know very little about these candidates and rely on "resume" type stuff instead of the "real background?"

Anonymous said...

Seriously, you're doing a great job Rump. Keep it up (and don't let anyone know who you are!!!).

BTDT

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

Rump, we are all looking forward to the next 1,000 posts.

Cap Out ...

Anonymous said...

Rump, have you really won a jury trial??who was the judge and what were the charges and what year was it??

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Rump! Always well written and expressed as are the comments. Here's wishing you 1000 more. I too will be celebrating soon, I am nearing 100 rejections by the Princess.

Attorney Rejected By The Princess,
proud member since 2008

Rumpole said...

ahhh 10:17- the real question is whether I can remember the last time I lost? Unfortunately I can. This year in fact. And here's the thing- I learn more from my losses than my wins. It's why I lose so infrequently. But I do lose.

Humble In Victory.
DEFIANT in defeat.
W. Churchill.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Rump. It is a milestone to reach 1,000.

We can all only wish to be at your level as assimilation is the best sign of respect.

See you soon...

Anonymous said...

Scott Fingerhut is Rumpole. Everyone knows it. Scott, just admit it.

REGJB Sherlock Holmes

Anonymous said...

9:16--you are right about Shapiro and wrong about Cohen. Shapiro is dull and boring. Don't know about his opponent, but will probably vote for her. He's a nothing

Anonymous said...

fingerhut

Anonymous said...

This blog is great, excepted I know for a fact that the Rumps does not print center factually proven matters, which are not personal in nature.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

The following have applied to be our next Florida Supreme Court justice(s):

H. Scott Fingerhut, 45, Miami, Attorney
Michael D. Gelety, 56, Fort Lauderdale, Attorney
Judge Vincent G. Torpy, Jr., 52, Daytona Beach, Fifth District Court of Appeal
Judge Charles Canady, 54, Lakeland, Second District Court of Appeal
David R. Herman, 39, Tallahassee, General Counsel, Fla. Dept. of Veterans' Affairs
Scott D. Makar, 48, Tallahassee, Solicitor General
Clifford A. Taylor, 58, Tallahassee, Chief of Litigation, Fla. Dept. of Mgmt. Services
Judge Stephen O. Rushing, 62, Brooksville, Fifth Judicial Circuit
Karen Gievers, 59, Tallahassee, Attorney
Stephen J. Willis, 55, Gainesville, Professor of Law, University of Florida
Judge Scott Stephens, 50, Tampa, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Kenneth W. Sukhia, 55, Tallahassee, Attorney
Daniel J. Gerber, 45, Winter Park, Attorney
Judge Emily A. Peacock, 52, Tampa, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Judge Israel Reyes, 49, Miami, Eleventh Judicial Circuit
Ladd C. Brown, Jr., 42, Boca Raton, Senior Counsel, Treasury Department
Manuel Farach, 48, West Palm Beach, Attorney
Perry M. Adair, 49, Coral Gables, Attorney
Arnaldo Velez, 59, Coral Gables, Attorney
Judge Marva L. Crenshaw, 56, Tampa, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Stephen M. Durden, 48, Jacksonville, Professor
Thomas F. Slater, 46, Jacksonville, Attorney
Judge L. Clayton Roberts, 43, Tallahassee, First District Court of Appeal
Judge Pauline M. Drayton, 55, Jacksonville, County Court
Edward G. Guedes, 44, Miami, Attorney
Judge John C. Murphy, 50, County Court, 18th Judicial Circuit
Judge Philip J. Padovano, 61, Tallahassee, First District Court of Appeal
Judge Charles A. Francis, 59, Tallahassee, Second Judicial Circuit
Judge Juan Ramirez, Jr., 62, Miami, Third District Court of Appeal
Albert F. Tellechea, 57, Orlando, Attorney
Judge Jorge Labarga, 55, West Palm Beach, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
Paul R. Regensdorf, 60, Fort Lauderdale, Attorney
Vicki M. Dearing, 43, Jacksonville, Assistant Law Professor
Judge Kevin Emas, 50, Miami, Eleventh Judicial Circuit
Judge William D. Palmer, 55, Daytona Beach, Fifth District Court of Appeal
J. Dudley Goodlette, 60, Naples, Attorney
William S. Bilenky, 63, Brooksville, Attorney
Judge Terry P. Lewis, 56, Tallahassee, Second Judicial Circuit
Judge Ricky L. Polston, 52, Tallahassee, First District Court of Appeal
Judge Peter D. Webster, 59, Tallahassee, First District Court of Appeal
Judge Ron Swanson, 60, Milton, First Judicial Circuit
Judge James R. Wolf, 58, Tallahassee, First Judicial Circuit
Judge Gisela Cardonne Ely, 57, Miami, Eleventh Judicial Circuit
Judge William P. Levens, 61, Tampa, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Judge Frank R. Jimenez, 43, Miami, General Counsel of the Navy
Judge Waddell A. Wallace, III, 55, Jacksonville, Fourth Judicial Circuit
Lynn C. Hearn, 42, Tallahassee, General Counsel, Fla. Dept. of State
Judge Angel A. Cortinas, 45, Miami, Third District Court of Appeal
Judge Leslie B. Rothenberg, 60, Miami, Third District Court of Appeal
George C. Richards, 53, Cape Coral, Chief Assistant State Prosecutor

We contact encourage you to contact Robert S. Hackleman, Chair
Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission at (954)468-1329 for comments on any of the candidates.

CAPTAIN OUT ......

Anonymous said...

Inside info has it that The Q was "asked" to leave his name off until the next seat opens up.

Seems that Capo di Tutti Capo Shumie of the Lombana Family put the malooki on that bid.

Anonymous said...

So Rumpole (who we all know is Fingerhut) has applied for one of the seats on the Florida Supreme Court. Hopefully we will one day be referring to you as Justice Rumpole.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Fingerhut?

South Florida Lawyers said...

Congratulations Rump, I have lifted my glass (filled with Vat 69, straight), in your honor!

Anonymous said...

Rump, congrats on your 1000th posting. Although I can only claim reading about 300 of them, Ive thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your "little world". As for your friend captain, he should be careful copying and pasting from the miamiherald.com...particularly when he changes the order of the names to advertantly put his favorite candidate at the top of the list...your readers, my dear rump, might catch on, and your identity may be revealed.

BTW captain, although he says Im "not bad" he never did muster up the guts to kiss me on the rooftop.

Hugs and kisses,
Your biggest fan

Anonymous said...

Judge Giselle Cordone are you freaking kidding me? Have you ever been in her court room.

Anonymous said...

Judge Leslie B. Rothenberg, 60, Miami, Third District Court of Appeal

Yea, kick it up a notch and pick this woman. How in the world she ever got on the Third is beyond me.

Anonymous said...

Captain someone wrote :

Anonymous said...
Dear, Mr. Captain and Mr. Rumpole, I have a question.

Q. In 2006, how many judicial candidates endorsed by the Miami Herald actually won?

If you have the answer please post. Just curious if the Herald support is crucial to a victory.

Saturday, July 26, 2008 6:08:00 PM


Do you have the answer, I too am curious.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on 1,000!

How many posts have you had to remove since this blog started?

This is fun. Finally, a chance to say what we really think about judges.

Anonymous said...

WITH RESPECT TO JUDICIAL RACES, IT SEEMS THE HERALD WILL RECOMMEND AN AMERICAN OVER A HISPANIC EVERY TIME. THE ONLY TIME THE HERALD ENDORSES A HISPANIC IS WHEN THERE ARE TWO HISPANICS CANDIDATES. IS THIS A COINCIDENCE?

Gomer said...

I remember my first 1000.
Can't remember her name though.

Happy 1000, Rumpster.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of blogs.... Review launched a sassy one lately. Just bumped into it. It's funny. Picking on judicial candidates and Brummer. And apparently we are losing Books & Books on the beach, too. Very informative little blog, too.The best part is it's free. http://dailybusinessreview.typepad.com/insidetrack/

Anonymous said...

Last year the County paid over $1 million dollars to make those street signs that say your dollars at work. Yep those signs that have the Mayor name all the county commissioners and our clerk of court letting you know your dollars are at work cost over $1 million to make last year.

So why a judicial assistant get cut from her job. A court staffer fights over a paper clip we can be sure that when you pass a sidewalk being fixed you will be able to view the sign telling who is running this town (to the ground I might add).

See the story here:

http://cbs4.com/video/?id=55071@wfor.dayport.com

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

to 4:55 PM:

THE CAPTAIN RESPONDS:

I did not copy the list from the Miami Herald. The list was pasted from the Florida Bar website. And the list was reprinted in the exact order that they have it.

Cap Out ....

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

The interview schedule has been set and is available at the Florida Bar website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2008
CONTACT: Robert S. Hackleman, Chair,
Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission
TELEPHONE: 954/468-1329

FORT LAUDERDALE-- The Supreme Court JNC interviews have been set for all 50 applicants on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12, 2008, in Tampa. Anyone wishing to provide comments regarding any of the applicants shall do so in writing to the chair prior to the interviews. Aug. 13 and 14 are reserved for deliberations and voting which is done in closed session pursuant to Article V, Section 11(d) of the Constitution of the State of Florida

The Captain would encourage each of you to spend a few minutes addressing a letter to Mr. Hackleman. There are some very worthy candidates on the list and they deserve our support.

Cap Out ....

Anonymous said...

looks like the counties are filing suit against the regional counsel offices over funding requirements...http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/26030369.html

Anonymous said...

The real outstanding talent in the Supreme Court group is limited to Padovano + Emas.

Therefore, since ass-kissing and spreading some Republican cash around are the real criteria -- neither of those two luminaries stands a chance!

Anonymous said...

WOW!! No let me say that again WOW!!

Abby Cynamon has spent $308,373.58 on her Campaign to date! The donations only totaled $66,000.00 and she has loaned the Campaign $300,000.00 has any one told her that you cannot buy a seat on the court? Well maybe you can?

I have seen Judicial Candidates put up alot of cash to scare off opposition but I have never seen one spend a quarter of a million dollars of there own cash.

I am voting for Abby. I hope she wins because if not, OUCH!!

Anonymous said...

Captain,

I apologize. I did think you posted from the Miami Herald website, when in fact, you did not.

Thank you for keeping the facts straight.

Anonymous said...

The Herald probably recommends whoever spends the most money on advertising. Otherwise, their recommendations don't make sense, and they often get their facts about the candidates wrong. And, yes, they seem to be biased against Hispanics. Perhaps it's time for all candidates to ignore the Herald. Not much of a relevant newspaper anymore.