When you see something that is not right, not fair, find a way to get in the way and cause trouble. Congressman John Lewis
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.
Friday, February 09, 2018
TWO NEW COUNTY COURT JUDGES COMING TO A COURTROOM NEAR YOU .....
THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:
AND YOUR TWO NEWEST COUNTY COURT JUDGES ARE:
LAURA SHEARON CRUZ. Ms. Shearon Cruz is 39 years old and she has been a member of The Florida Bar since 2007 out of Tulane Law School. She spent her first four years working as an ASA, then left the office in 2011 to join Wicker Smith doing civil litigation (defense insurance cases). She returned four years later in 2015 and she is currently a DC and handles homicide cases. She was born in Memphis and she grew up in Alabama. Her father was an attorney and her great grandfather was criminal court Judge in Tennessee. She is married to Erick Cruz, former ASA and current criminal defense attorney. Judge Cruz replaces Judge Ivonne Cuesta. ***Up until today, Shearson Cruz was a candidate in Group 18 of the County Court running against Mike Mirabal. (Group 18 is an open seat due to the retirement of Judge White Labora).
CHRISTINA DIRAIMONDO. Ms. DiRaimondo is 33 years old and she has been a member of The Florida Bar since 2010 out of Nova Law. She is also with the State Attorney’s Office and she replaces Judge Laura Ann Stuzin. She is also a Division Chief and has been with the office for all seven years of her career.
CAPTAIN OUT .....
Captain4Justice@gmail.com
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76 comments:
THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:
In addition to the two ASAs appointed to the County Court today in Miami-Dade County, Gov Scott also made two appointments in Volusia County. Both new judges were, of course, ASAs.
While Rumpole's position is that “former prosecutors make the best Judges”, PDs should get a better chance of appointment to the bench than they do now under the reign of Rick Scott.
By my imprecise count, Rick Scott has appointed more than 40 judges in Miami-Dade County in the past seven years. And only six of them have PD experience: Judges Rosa Figarola, Eric Hendon, Richard Hersch, Lisa Walsh, Ivonne Cuesta, and Lourdes Simon.
The list of judges appointed by Scott that were not from the criminal defense side of the bar include: (and several of them have been appointed more than once):
Jason Bloch
Victoria Brennan
Michael Hanzman
Charles Johnson
Norma Lindsey
Robert Luck
Christina Miranda
Ariana Fajardo
Thomas rebull
Rudy Ruiz
Rodney Smith
Angelica Zayas
William Altfield
Donald Cannava
Betty Capote
Dawn Denaro
Jason Dimitris
Carlos Guzman
Spencer Multack
Laura Stuzin
Diana Vizcaino
Gordon Murray
Renantha Francis
Victoria del Pino
Joseph Mansfield
Edwin Scales
Thomas Logue
Ivan Fernandez
CAP OUT ......
DiRaimondo is a horrible choice. Nice person, but a horrible lawyer. Tried lots of cases against her and she did not know the law. We don't need more judges that are state oriented. We need fair judges.
Rick Scott, for all his faults, has done a pretty good job with judges. There are only three names on that list that are really bad judges. There are four that are really good judges. One a great judge who could go to much higher places. The rest are fine. Much better percentages than the elected judges in terms of quality.
Hey 4:58 from the previous thread. The Captain always gets it right. You sir are a LOSER. Thanks to El Capitan for keeping us in the loop.
Both of them are good choices. The list was not particularly strong.
33 year old? What brilliant things has she done to warrant being a judge at so young an age?
7:29pm.
Who is the “really great Judge”?
Not impressed by these choices. DiRaimondo was called out by the Third for an improper closing argument and her reputation at the State is dismal. cruz, not sure what she’s done. Seems like anyone can get appointed.
Oy vey...
2 great picks dealt with both of them. Diraimundo is really bright and ethical.
DiRaimondo is a joke. She is a horrible lawyer and an embarrassment to the bench. I’ve personally witnessed her treat people very poorly as well. Shame.
Of the names I recognize on this list which are all bull a few, it looks like Scott has done a splendid job of selecting judges. And as gov he has done a good job also, as far as I can tell. Not sure what faults he has as gov.
ok... 7 years experience and now a judge. Give me a fucking break.
I miss the good old days. Judges were over 50 had tons of experience and were NOT afraid to make decisions.
Look at the 3rd DCA lately. Decision after decision fudges the law to make sure the State wins. Worst offenders....Emas and Rothenberg but, they talk the others into following them. Trust me, we'll get no luck with Luck either.
Emas recently ignored a clear comment on right to remain silent by saying it was just a momentary slip of the tong. Leslie simply makes stuff up in her never ending quest to screw a defendant.
Thanks Rick Scott. You took the 5th over and over and we put you in charge.
Lawyer since 2010? And now qualified to be a judge? Di Raimondo is a very nice person but come on. Judges need life experience, trial experience and time as a lawyer before being given the robe. Happy for her but sad for the process.
LMAO at Diraimondo getting the nod. At this point, anyone who just just passed the bar exam should apply to become a judge.
Panel: what makes you qualified to be a judge?
Applicant: I just passed the bar exam and I watch a lot of Law & Order.
Panel: here's your black robe.
I was in the office with Christina a few years ago, she was an amazing prosecutor and will be a good County Judge. Guys this is not circuit, it's just county, calm it down.
7:29 name the 4 really good judges and one great judge on the list..... i bet you can't.
Victoria Brennan and Jason Bloch are by far the worse. Ariana Fajardo and Rosa Figarola not too far behind. Let me say that I want judges were more diversity of experience more so than whether they were a PD or an ASA. As a defense attorney, I can say without a doubt that some of my favorite judges were former prosecutors and some of my least favorites were former PDs. When it comes to country court appointments, I am ok with lesser diversity of experience. But not for circuit. For circuit, they have to be well rounded.
I don't know Ms. DiRaimondo, but 33 years old? Come on. Are there no qualified candidates with a little more age and experience under their belts?
RUMP,it that judicial meeting- conference scandal in Altoona Pa going to make it back to Miami? There were Florida judges there....I mean #metoo and all that going on, and 18 yr old strippers? Come on man, use your head. Or at least think with that instead of thinking with you know what....
As a current ASA no one has heard of these two in the office, the press release said one of them returned to the state in 2015, did She complete her 3 year commitment before she applied?? Apparently the trend is become friends with judges and you too can be a judge. More qualified people need to apply for these vacancies but truth is the more qualified applicants don’t want to take a pay cut. Disappointing.
THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:
HERE ARE THE NAMES OF THE TEN ATTORNEYS WHO DID NOT GET PICKED BY SCOTT:
Milena Abreu (current candidate for County Court Judge)
Ramiro Areces
Karl Brown
Raul Cuervo
Peter Heller
Elijah Levitt
Jonathan Meltz
Julie Harris
Luis Perez-Medina (current candidate for Circuit Court Judge)
Natalie Rico
CAP OUT .....
This blog is full of haters. Especially against women. The jealousy from all these men against smart women is scary. Diarimondo and Cruz are decent choices. You must all be friends with the older men on the list who the Governor will not give the time of day to.
Judge DiRaimondo was vetted by the jnc. For those that don't know what that means it is a group of 9 seasoned attorneys who have practiced different areas of law and are from different party affiliations. She got a nomination from that rigorous panel. She then was vetted by another team of lawyers in Tallahassee. For those in the know it is a difficult process which is substantive in nature which takes into consideration the applicants entire background. 15 peoples gave judge Diraimondo the thumbs up. Give her a chance.
This blog historically criticizes young people they are all doing great calm down
I have Been a defense lawyer for 12 years...I tried a case against Diraimondo. She kicked my ass fair and square. Good luck judge Diraimondo
Those appointments are an embarassment. Look at the likes of Heller, Cuervo, Meltz, Brown. All experienced lawyers with decades of success and accomplishments. All we know from Cruz is that her family was successful but what has she done. What has Diraumundo done. It’s obvious that it’s not what you know but who.
Women haters!!!
This is so obvious the reason she is being attacked is because she is a beautiful intelligent woman. There have been other young female judges appointed and elected no one has attacked them like this because they weren't pretty. Haters
Mr. 10:23pm when you did your research why did you fail to mention the contemporaneous opinion on a similar issue by a white male recent appointee who was reprimanded by the 3dca?
The sexism is alarming! Why is there so much hate against women? It is alarming!
I met Christina 10 years ago when she was an intern when I was working at us attorney's office She was a super star then and she is going to be a super star now. Congratulations your honor
I stood in court one day and watched Christina dismiss a 1st degree murder filed by someone else in her office. She told the judge there was insufficient evidence to go forward. This is the type of person we want on bench someone with balls. Congrats
Seriously commenting on her age?. People should serve based on their merit not their age. Plenty of world leaders assumed major leadership roles in their 30’s. New Zealand, Ireland, France, etc. Happy to see Christina DiRaimondo do the same!
Happy to see Ms. DiRaimondo appointed- I’ve tried cases with her and she has always been prepared and hardworking. Shame folks want to comment on her age. She’s tried more cases that a majority of judges in the state.
Laura AND Cristina! this is a testament to Kathy Rundle. I’ve met them both- great picks!
Sure. The four really good are Luck, Ruiz, Del Pino, and Fernandez. The one great is Hanzman who is one of the very best the Justice Building has ever had.
Rico is next. All about young judges. Yeah Laura and Christina!
Cristina is honest with a brain unlike half the people in that office
I guess no heller time?
Always the same story when young people get the nod. They always do great.
Jealousy is toxic
Please all you haters out there give it a rest
This is an incredibly weak liist and being a division chief at SAO is pretty good experience to be county judge
Circuit not so much
So from the list of people who the governor didn't pick, I'll pick just two: Peter Heller, Luis Perez-Media.
You're telling me those two guys are less qualified than Diraimondo???? GTFOOH. I've worked with Diraimondo, the chick is dumb.
So if you don’t get picked what does that mean? Meltz is a great lawyer. Good temperament. He would be a wonderful judge. He works his cases. Always prepared.
Laughing my ass off at Judge DiRaimundo.
Nova Law? Median LSAT 149 at Nova.
Median in the USA? 151.
Now there are enough of us around who took the bar in 2010 or the years immediately before or after, just like her honor. Think back to the folks in that giant room in Tampa. Yes, the 50 year olds, those who had failed four times previously, the morbidly obese, those hacking up their cigarettes in the lobby, those from barely-accredited law schools who had special t-shirts printed up, etc etc.
That group of tired, poor, huddled masses achieved a median of 151. Nova grads score, at median, two points BELOW them.
And we just got ourselves a brand new, 33 year old, NOVA grad who has never worked outside of the SAO? Please tell me where she did her undergrad and what was her UG GPA. Please tell me what work experience she had between UG and law school.
Lol, Florida is such a piece of shit state. Low IQ in every way.
I loathe governor Scott but I gotta say that is a very good list of Judges he appointed. the overwhelming majority had real courtroom experience and actually tried cases. very very few firm "litigators" who practiced for 25 years and went to trial once. Sorry haters but if the choice are those "litigators" or SAO veterans who have actually, you know, been in a number of actual trials, I will take the former ASA's any time. you may not like Brennan but an intellectually honest person cannot say she did not know the law or what she was doing.
would anyone actually take the folks who have been elected over the years instead of this group.
not really a close one there.
Luck was very young when he was appointed and I don't think anyone would say that he was not qualified and did not turn out to be a good Judge. Same with Rudy Ruiz.
Wow! I’m thrilled to see these women appointed! I hope my daughter will continue to see women like them accomplish amazing things, and be inspired to lead the way that they have!
Everyone who used the word "hater" in their post, should surrender their bar license. There is no reason anyone over the age of 25 should ever use the word "hater."
Second, having worked at the SAO, if the pod leaders like you, then you will get promoted very quickly. Diraimondo, was always well liked. Which leads me to address the comment about how the JNC approved of her. Big f ucking deal. So you mean to tell me that the panel liked her and sent her name up tp the governor? Wow. (Insert golf clap here)
No, I am not sexist. In fact, someone like a Christine Hernandez or Abbe Rifkin would make a GREAT judge. Diraimondo is nowhere near the caliber of lawyer as those two women. As an aside, Diraimondo was very close to Dawn Denaro while Denaro worked as a DC. Diraimondo is no Dawn Denaro as a lawyer.
Essentially, Diraimondo got the nod because of who she knows. Not because she's a star. Hell no.
As a Nova Law grad, I will defend the school from my point of view.
I turned down UM because Nova offered me a large fellowship to attend. I ended up at the SAO which probably would have happened whether I was at UM or Nova.
Peter heller???
Nice guy but when I was an ASA I knew he was gonna plead his case
I doubt that heller has tried more cases than these two people
1128 you are truly pathetic
LSAT scores? Who gives a shit about them
Losers like you whose LSAT score has been the high point of a rather undistinguished career
Hanzman one of the great ones??!
Should donate his ego to a medical school so they can study and figure how someone can love to hear themselves talk so much
10:23 they are both wives and mothers, hard working, trying murder cases day in and day out. What do you do all day?
It’s time to elevate Judge Hanzman from County Court to Circuit Court.
He deserves it.
11:20 - if Florida is a POS state, you are a big part of the reason. What a nasty, awful post. Instead of saying vile awful things about a new judge, how about giving her a chance on the bench? Did you put your name in and get passed over? Is your post based on jealousy? Sexism? Ageism? I've met lots of people from "prestigious" law schools who have no common sense or courtesy. Lots of those folks think they deserve respect, but they don't bother to try to earn it. And to the person who posted a comment asking what have these women done to deserve becoming judges, here is your answer: They are smart, prepared, kind, they work hard and have trial experience. They have families, they care about this community, and they are humble. They were chosen by the governor fair and square. If you don't like them on the bench, then run against them... but given what you have written, I bet you have no friends and no one would support you. These attorneys should hold their heads high and apologize to NO ONE, especially to someone like YOU, for becoming judges. They will do great.
So many judges went to nova idiots
This has nothing to do with gender, stop hiding behind that. When Luck and Ruiz were appointed they received the same backlash but those two clerked for federal judges and were standouts at their offices. These two are not. Plain and simple. The smartest thing they did was apply now where there were a lot of vacancies and became friends with the right people. The fact that people are disappointed at their appointment says one thing: they are not the stars they think they are. Better ASAs in that office that should apply and don’t. Also PDs should also apply but they don’t. It’s politics.
She dismisses a lot of cases not because she has balls because she’s lazy. Of course the defense loves her. Nice person but not a hard worker.
Judges Diraimond and Cruz are the best yippee
What? No mention of the Federalist Society? With membership comes great privileges--such as being appointed to the bench.
Do you need to be 55 to try a DUI or a landlord dispute? Come on, seriously?
Diraimundo does not have a good reputation at SAO. Lot of raised eyebrows and smirks when the news broke.
so the 33 yoa is making double what you are making and doesn't have to bring in clients, i'm sure you are not jealous, your comments are completely unbiased.
At least we know for sure what posts/subjects brings out the commenters. 64 Comments was the most for any single post this Blog has had going back to August of 2016 when Rumpole posted on the Victoria Brennan brouhaha.
So, what does that say about our readers? They are quite opinionated when it comes to who is occupying the bench and making decisions on peoples lives. They are guilty of jealousy, sexism, ageism, as one reader posed. They like to complain about who gets appointed but many are not willing to place their name before the JNC, as others have chimed in.
Both of these new judges will have to face the voters in two years. They will have 27 months to prove that they were worthy of the Governor's confidence in them. And if you don't like the way they handle their new-borne power, then you have the right to file to run against them by May of 2020 and prove that you are more worthy of the job.
Cap Out .....
Simply put, Judge Luck was horrible and still thinks he's a prosecutor. I hope I don't see him on my panel next month.
CHB shut up!!
If you are smart enough to get appointed you are liked by everyone. The Defense , State and the bench. Congrats Christina on a job well done in short order. Everyone knows you are going to be a fair and compassionate judge. To the one detractor out there posting false narratives get accustom to saying Judge DiRaimondo!
From KFR down to her division attorneys Mrs. DiRaimondo is loved! Congrats Judge!
Nice posts judge Denaro, we all know you’re buddies.
DiRaimundo played it right. Got Kathy's blessing, friended up very publicly with female judges (Denaro, Stuzin, et al), attended every event and made sure she was photographed with other judges, like she was one of the club. Brilliant.
At this point, any county court ASA or APD should apply. Fuck it.
So I know why those being negative are posting as anonymous (like me). But why are people who have positive things to say also anonymous? Is it because it’s the same person over and over or because they don’t really want to be publicly shown as supporting someone as clueless as Diraimundo...?
@6:52, Perez-Medina has only been practicing since 2006, and his only campaign expenditure so far has been $250 to the federalist society. Talk about sexism!
Only one of them tries cases and is in the office more than 20 hours a week. Cruz will be a great Judge.
As the old axiom goes, time will tell, and it now has. DiRaimondo is plainly atrocious. Unmistakably unqualified as a jurist. All the prior commentary regarding her not being qualified has now proven to be spot on.
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