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, September 25, 2014

...AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON

Legend has it that during an otherwise non-descript late afternoon hearing before the legendary Judge Ellen Morphonious, a "C" prosecutor told the "C" PD  "fuck you."

The PD turned to Judge Morphonious and asked her if she heard what the prosecutor just said to him? 
And Judge Morphonious replied: "Yes. He forgot to say 'and the horse you rode in on'.

Such were the fun days in the REGJB, when a little release of stress didn't lead to bar complaints, human resource investigations and discipline, and anger management classes. We know who both the lawyers are, they can reveal themselves in the comments section if they wish, and both have gone on to distinguished careers. 

All of this is a prelude to the Miami Herald article hear about Judge Jacqueline Schwartz who allegedly told employees of a convenience store that was displaying a large sign for one of her opponents in the last election (she had two, one is remaining in a run-off) to "go fuck yourself" after  they refused to remove the sign. 

Campaigns are a tough business. All politics is local, and nothing is personal:   "It's not personal Tom. It's strictly business." Michael Corleone to Tom, after he removed his brother as consigliere to the family. 

Say what you want about judicial temperament, and Judge Schwartz has her share of complaints about her performance as a county court judge, but she wasn't wearing robes when she said this. Admittedly she was verbally abusing a few powerless clerks since the owner of the building had put up the sign and they had no  authority to take it down, but there is something old-school about this incident. 

Courts are closed today as members of the Jewish faith  begin ten days of introspection and reflection culminating in the day of atonement when they make amends for their shortcomings for the prior year. It's an excellent time for people to seek out those they have hurt or insulted (or wrongfully cursed at) and seek forgiveness.  Of course, we lead an exemplarily life and such pedestrian concerns are beneath us. But for the rest of you, get your house in order for a new year. 

See You In Court. 

29 comments:

Real Fake Former Judge said...

You should have heard Kenny curse when the 49'ers lost. I heard it here in Palo Alto- 3,000 miles away.

Anonymous said...

I would whole heartedly agree with you Rump if that was an isolated incident of inappropriate behavior on Schwartz's part. We all know it is not, ask any lawyer or clerk. The woman only lasted 3 months at REG and it wasn't because she was so good or tough it was because she was so very bad.

Anonymous said...

Jackie Schwartz simply cannot do that job. Although not wearing a robe at the time, judges have no fucking business being assholes anywhere. Ooopppssssss.

Rumpole said...

Really??? Judges exhibit that particular attribute almost everywhere all the time. IMHO.

Anonymous said...

L Shana Tova

Anonymous said...

Jackie Schwartz does not deserve to be a member of the judiciary. She is not intelligent, she is extremely disrespectful, and she cannot make a decision to save her life. It's shameful and an embarrassment to the attorneys and people of Miami-Dade County. I voted for Rachel Dooley in August and now I'll vote for whoever the other guy is. I couldn't care less who the other guy is. I wish I could tell Jackie to F off.

Anonymous said...

Rump,
You are an idiot.Judges are bound to exhibit proper judicial temperament and demeanor on and off the bench. When they don't, the should be called out on it. From former Broward Judge Joyce Julian to Judge Schwartz, bad behavior diminishes the bench.

Rumpole said...

9:44 ghezundite.
11:19. Let's start over. Welcome to earth. This is a small planet and we who inhabit it all try hard to get along although we have had problems in the past.....

Anonymous said...

So, who were the two attorneys in Morphonious' courtroom? She swore me in to the Bar on September 19, 1979.

Claude Erskine- Browne QC said...

Like it ir not Horace, Judges , under the Judicial Rules of Ethics have to behave if not Judicial, non-assholish. What if a Judge got into a road rage incident or beat their spouse? Certainly the Public as Voters should consider this behavior ?
SI, Como No !

Anonymous said...

There is a big difference between the incident in Morphonios courtroom and the incident involving Jackie Schwartz and the store owner. It's not just the temperament issue of cursing and inability to control her temper, but her going there in person to intimidate the store owner and cashier and, then, the vindictiveness of calling Code Enforcement on them and getting him fined. The Herald buried the story probably as a courtesy to Bob Levy, which is also the likely reason that they endorsed her over two more qualified opponents.

Bill said...

Actual Ellen Morphonios headline

Girl Puts Hoods in Jail

DS said...

Bob Levy is a great political PR guy. Known him for years. But he is no friend of the Herald. The Herald wouldn't hide a story as a favor for Bob, the Herald doesn't like Bob.
If the Herald buried the story its cause its editors didn't think it had much play.
I voted for my ok friend Rachel, and will vote for Frank , a guy w lots of real world experience

Anonymous said...

I'll take that as another reason to vote for Frank.

Anonymous said...

That article on Morphonios actually has her dimensions?!

"Ellen grew up to a pleasant-looking 35-22-37 and came to Miami with a High School education, a legal pad and pencil, and a fierce interest in the law."

Anonymous said...

"I voted for my ok friend Rachel"?

Anonymous said...

I bet you there are not 5 lawyers,not her family, whoe believe Scwartz is competent. Lets see.

Anonymous said...

I voted for Rachel and will vote for Frank.

Anonymous said...

Has Anyone tried the recently released 2011 Kenneth Weisman Cabernet Sauvignon? It was rated 100 points by Robert Parker and also received a 100 point rating with Wine Spectator.

It is as good as any vintage Colgin, Harlan Estate or Opus One!

Great with a Kobe Bone In Rib Eye!

I think that it is the same Kenneth Weisman from South Beach?

Anonymous said...

Me too. For some strange reason Jackie simply is not up to the job.

Anonymous said...

Kenny seen at beach Denny's ordering a grand slam extra bacon breakfast and muttering to himself about Colby and the 49'ers. The dude is losing it. #savekennynow

Anonymous said...

Related: an elected judiciary is ridiculous.

The REN (a venue) said...

Last night at The REN (a venue) it was salsa -swing, with half price on all Mexican Cerveza and specials all night long on Tequila drinks. Tonight is sexy saturday- the hottest outfits, the coolest drinks, the hippest place to be. And don't forget to try our organic - wild raised pork belly sliders with black-bean, corn and avocado salsa! The best sliders in town.

Anonymous said...

3:18, a politically-appointed judiciary is even worse.

Anonymous said...

#savekenny now trending on twitter. Come on people, we can make it #1.

Plus it will help kenny.

#savekenny

Anonymous said...

Rump, please delete The Professor's disgusting and offensive comment which refers to celebrating someone's death. I dont care who it is- it should not be tolerated by this blog.

Anonymous said...

827
Fuck bob and the horse he rode in on.

Rumpole said...

Sorry- you are right. The comment was inappropriate.

Anonymous said...

The Professor says:

My apologies to you Mr. Rumpole.

To 8:27, or should I say Mr. Levy,

You are correct as to the inappropriateness of my post, if it made reference to your death and how people might react to it. Sometimes, even I can not hold back in the face of nice things being said about you.

So let me say something that is not offensive to anyone, but you. It is my belief that if you chose to leave town, there would be a parade in your honor, which would be held after you left and celebrating your departure. In fact it would be easy to raise enough money to buy you a month's supply of sandwiches, so you would not get hungry for days and you could go further and further away. Might I suggest the northern slopes of Alaska.

Is that less disgusting and offensive?