Our Public Defender Carlos Martinez!!!
As detailed in ace Herald reporter David Ovalle's article this week, Carlos Martinez was in Tallahassee successfully fighting for a pay raise of 6% for his employees after years of drought.
This success was to the chagrin of Miami SAO Kathy Fernandez-Rundle, who immediately cut short a vacation to complain that prosecutors, who have for years been paid more than PDs, weren't being given a space at the trough.
From the article:
But the issue of the pay differential between the two sides has long been a politically sensitive issue in South Florida’s criminal-justice community. Florida prosecutors have traditionally earned more money than their counterparts at the public defender’s office.
Martinez said Monday that bill solely addresses the longstanding wage inequity, which he says averages about $4,000 between attorneys on each side.
“It tries to provide parity in salaries between assistant public defenders and assistant state attorneys,” Martinez said.
For fighting the good fight for his dedicated and under-paid employees,
the honour of being our first person of the week is Miami-Dade Public Defender
Carlos Martinez.
Honorable Mention: FACDL President Brian Kirlow- nominated by the
Captain.
Second runner up and a favourite of the commentators on the blog this week, for apparently just showing up to work- Judge
Hanzman, who is off to a fast start in making a great name for himself, but-to
the best of our knowledge- didn't really do anything exceptional this week.
Judge Hanzman for next week RUMPOLE.
ReplyDeleteWe certainly respect and accept your "POW". Kudos.
Please sit in Judge Hanzman's court this week and listen to the Motion to Suppress. Look at his philanthropic work with children at risk. Look at the scholarships he funded at the UM LAW School under Judge Lenore Nesbitt's memory. Look at the academic articles published and awards. I implore you.
If not, Judge Alan Fine is brilliant too. Look at Judge Jeri Beth Cohen. Sweet as sugar to all. Always in a great mood.
Kirlew
ReplyDeleteExcellent choice for Person of the Week. That raise for the PDs is well overdue. ASAs, get over it.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know why PD or SAO would pay different salaries? They both work hard and do similar work.
ReplyDeleteGood choice-Great reason! So wonderful that you are actually doing this.
ReplyDeletewhat bullshit that ASA's get nothing. PD's are allowed to practice law on the side and ASA's are not.
ReplyDeleteit is truly appalling how much the state of Florida values the work done by PD's and ASA's. Some Moron handling a PIP suit over a $50 Xray is entitled to a 450 per hour and a $100,000 fee. While a PD or ASA handling a murder case doesn't make 60 grand a year.
This State is a joke and the Republicans who run it are truly awful people.
You are an idiot. As an ASA you can handle matters outside of criminal court if you get permission from the Office.
DeleteJudge Miller would be the best for the Third, but will be missed in the circuit court. She researches cases on her own while on the bench and is as impartial as can be. She will be a great appellate judge. Not sure how or why a person without any judge experience can be appointed to the appellate court.
ReplyDeleteFor circuit court, in alphabetical order, Cuesta, Simon, and Wolfson will be the best choices. Anyone who has ever had a case in front of them, know the respect for the law and how great each of the three are. I hope they all get to the circuit court.
PDs did not get the 6%. Stripped from the bill. They get the same raise as all state workers.
ReplyDeletePerson of the week for May 8, 2017: Sgt. German Bosque.
ReplyDeletePerson of the week: Don Horn in the movie requiem for a prosecutor.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your kind words about Carlos. The additional monies are well-deserved. I also agree with you that Judge Hanzman is doing a great job. He is smart, well-prepared, polite, wise, and considerate of everyone in his courtroom.
ReplyDeleteThe article this morning regarding state atty going after the north miami cop was unprofessional. Why is horn giving quotes?
ReplyDeleteAside from the academic publications the orders this Judge enters are insane. if you want a great and entertaining read go look at the order shredding Bruce Jacobs( REG alum) in EMC 24 FLW Supp 604. I do civil defense and dabble in criminal. laughed my a-- off when a foreclosure defense lawyer gave me this to use. Not sure whether this Judge or anyone else who gets paid to do a job deserves person of the week but he writes beautiful orders and is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteCelebrity baby!
ReplyDeleteHanzman is very smart. And he and his friends clearly like to comment on this blog, that much is certain. But as someone who has regularly appeared in that division for the last few years, I preferred Ruiz. Just as smart with none of the ego. And I would venture a guess that if you speak off the record to ASAs, PDs, and other regulars like me in that division (including Corrections, Probation, and other staff) they'll tell you they are hoping Ruiz returns. Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteI kicked Horn's a** many moons ago in a trial . I forget the facts but was not impressed with his trial skills. I do not think he has gotten any better with not being in the courtroom. He should stay in administration and try to quiet the people who complain when the cops shoot up their neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteMiller is one of the worst judges ever. Revisit her performance in the murder trial won by Milian and Mathewman where Milian called her a prosecutor in open court and on tv. The reason she researches is so she can argue on behalf of the state. There is a line of good Latin lawyers who want to take her on next cycle.
ReplyDelete"I honestly don't know why PD or SAO would pay different salaries? They both work hard and do similar work." Anonymous
ReplyDeleteBecause one side works for the revenue generating part of the govt.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
ReplyDelete"it is truly appalling how much the state of Florida values the work done by PD's and ASA's. Some Moron handling a PIP suit over a $50 Xray is entitled to a 450 per hour and a $100,000 fee. While a PD or ASA handling a murder case doesn't make 60 grand a year."
That moron made a better life choice than you it seems. Also, money paid by insurance companies in the form of attorney fees is private money, while PDs and ASAs are paid with taxpayer dollars. That's why.