WHO'S THE MOLE? AND FUN AT FDC

UPDATE: Retired County Court Judge Henry Oppenborn has passed away. The Obit is here. Those who practiced before Judge Oppenborn remember a wonderful, warm man who was the epitome of a Judge. He was dignified, fair, and considerate of all of those who appeared before him. Judge Oppenborn was a paratrooper who had active service in the Korean war where he received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for being wounded in battle. Judge Oppenborn was awarded the Silver Start for bravery for leading soldiers to rescue his men who were wounded and being held at an enemy stronghold.

Judge Oppenborn started every court session by inviting (not requiring) all of those who appeared in court to rise and recite the pledge of allegiance. This was not some political ploy, but the genuine act of a good man who was a real American. He risked his life for his country and served our nation and our community and we are all the better for it. Rest in peace Judge Oppenborn.

UPDATE: We neglected to mention that our own Barry Wax was elected to something important at the FACDL conference at the Motel 6 in Orlando. Barry will be responsible for keeping the lights on for the FACDL conferences. Just kidding. His service and all the time consuming work all attorneys do for FACDL and NACDL is donated and serves an important role in protecting the role of criminal defense attorneys in our system.

ALERT: RUMPOLE MAKES A MISTAKE!!!! CHECK IT OUT BELOW.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE: Attorney Brittney Horstman who was stopped from entering FDC (that's the Federal Detention Center for our state court robed readers.)

Jay Weaver- Miami Herald Reporter following a "hot" story.

Brian Tannebaum, Miami attorney; bon vivant, and current present of the statewide Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.

First- Ms. Horstman's tale of woe: She attempted to enter FDC to see her client. The metal detector went off. Ms. Horstman was wearing a bra with wired support. She was denied access to her client. Ms. Horstman removed the offending underwear and cleared the metal detector, but she was again denied entry to see her client because at FDC their motto is " We live to make you miserable." and because she was now NOT wearing the bra that caused the problem in the first place.

Just to recap for our readers who work at FDC- Ms. Horstman could not see her client because she was wearing a bra and she could not see her client when she was not wearing her bra. See how easy that is?

Anyway, Ms. Horstman sent an email on the FACDL listserve which is a system where select lawyers can chat with each other though email. Or something like that.

Mr. Weaver wrote an article (the title of this post links to the Weaver article) on Ms. Hostman's umm...double dilemma.

And then along comes our intrepid FACDL MIAMI President SABRINA PUGLISI WHO SENDS THIS EMAIL:

Here is Mr. Tannebaum's email about the Weaver article:

STRIKE THAT- THE FIRST EMAIL WAS SENT BY CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE MIAMI FACDL SABRINA PUGLISI. THIS IS OUR FIRST MISTAKE OF THE YEAR, OCCURRING ON JUNE 13, 2010.

You may have seen the article in Saturday's Herald regarding Brittney
Horstman's bra issue at FDC the Friday before last.

First, let me assure everyone that Jay Weaver is not a member of
FACDL-Miami nor does he have access to the listserv. The reason that he had
copies of the emails from our list is because a member forwarded the emails
to him. This is not acceptable. I remind everyone that our listserv is for
members only. We should not feel that what we write is being forwarded to
Judges, prosecutors, media, etc. The board will be looking into this matter
and I will advise with further information as I have it.

Secondly, as soon as I became aware of Brittney's situation, I advised
Kathy Williams. She contacted the new warden who personally looked into the
situation. The matter was promptly resolved.

Here is Mr. Tannebaum's email on L'affair la Bra:

While I agree these emails are meant to be kept within the membership, I think we've lost that battle. Jay Weaver is a fair and ethical reporter and wrote a great story.

I've had it with this FDC issue. That Kathy Williams has to remind them monthly, quarterly, or yearly that common sense should play a role in the administration of that facility, is disgraceful. I'm tired of the meetings, phone calls and memos all in the name of treating our colleagues with a little damn respect. Sometimes diplomacy works, and sometimes it doesn't. What happened to Brittney is pathetic, and we should all make clear that this bullshit, and it is bullshit, is unacceptable.

Now whomever is our little mole, go ahead and forward this to FDC, put it on Rumpole's blog, pass it out to your friends. If I have to wait 3 hours next time I go to see my client there, I don't really give a crap.

Rumpole says: What did we do? Why is Tannebaum taking a cheap shot at us?

We almost never reprint those charming FACDL Listserv chats which are usually something like:

"Does anyone have the Miranda cite memorized? I need it asap."

"Look it up yourself you lazy lummox."

"Can anyone cover my 8am in West Palm and my 8:30 in South Dade tomorrow?"

"Do it yourself jackass."

"Can anyone get me into Prime 112 this Friday night at 8?"

"Stop showing off."

"Did that Judge in Jacksonville overrule Marbuy v. Madison."?

"Yes."

"No"

"Please, I need to impress my girlfriend. Can you get me a table at 112.?"

You get the idea.

Anyway, Bras, moles, and defense attorneys who shed undergarments all in the name of protecting their clients. Isn't this fun?