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, April 05, 2018

JUDICIAL ELECTIONS 2018 .... MARIN & HAGUE OUT ..... UPDATED


THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

JUDICIAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE ... 2018 .....

It has been a busy couple of months since we posted on December 27 and December 28 about the candidates for Circuit and County Court. Several new candidates have filed and many more have  either withdrawn or switched Groups. Here are the highlights from the past three months:

CIRCUIT COURT

In Group 14, Louis Martinez filed on February 6 and Vivianne del Rio joined the Group on March 1. They face Renee Gordon.

In Group 25, "Joe" Perkins, who had filed in Group 79, withdrew his name on March 9th. He filed in Circuit Group 31 on March 12th; then switched to County Group 18 on March 19th only to withdraw three days later on March 22nd. The next day he  switched once again and filed to run in this Circuit Group against Yery Marrero.

BREAKING NEWS:

Circuit Court Judge Antonio "Tony" Marin, who was expected to serve out his term in Group 79, suddenly and unexpectedly resigned effective March 9, 2018. As a result, the two candidates that had filed in this Group, Luis Medina and Joe Perkins, were forced to withdraw from the Group as Governor Scott will fill this seat through the JNC.

COUNTY COURT

See if you can keep up with these moves:

In Group 2, Kristy Nunez filed to run on March 20 only to withdraw six days later. Then Rosy Aponte withdrew from Group 32 of the County Court and on March 26th moved into this Group against Jeff Cynamon.

In Group 18, Betsy Alvarez-Zane joined the Group on March 14th. Laura Cruz withdrew her name on March 1 and Joe Perkins withdrew his name on March 22. That means that, for the moment, Zane is unopposed.

BREAKING NEWS:

County Court Judge Andrew Hague (Group 21) and I communicated on a few occasions back in December. He explained his three options to me: resign before the end of the filing deadline; serve out his term; or run one more time. Well, he finally made his decision known last week. And it appears that candidate Jacqueline Woodward was smart enough to stay in touch with Hague because on March 23rd, she withdrew from Group 2 and was the first candidate to file in Group 21. Hague has made his decision and it is to serve out his term and then retire from the bench.

(NOTE: Not only was Woodward the first to file in this now open seat, but in order to scare off any opponents who are thinking about running against her, she plucked down a cool $375,000 of her own money, loaning that amount to her campaign war chest).

In Group 32, Lizzet Martinez filed on February 1. She faces Chris Pracitto.

In Group 33, Madelyn Diaz withdrew on December 29. Mike Mirabal switched from Group 33 to Group 18 to Group 43. That leaves Olanike Adebayo and Eleane Sosa-Bruzon, for now.

In Group 43, Steve Paulson withdrew on March 1. Milena Abreu currently faces Mike Mirabal.

No doubt there will be many more changes before the filing deadline which is on May 4, 2018.

CAPTAIN OUT .......
Captain4Justice@gmail.com

45 comments:

Rumpole said...

A week is a lifetime in Politics.

Churchill

Anonymous said...

FYI, our own Phil R. is married to Jackie Woodward.

TC said...

First Time, Long Time 5’9” 185

Saw a comment a little while back. David Gilbert and Bruce Fleischer might be making their final appearances at RGJB.

I was at Juvenile Court beginning in 1972 or early 1973 before the SAO took over from the County. We fed some real talent into the Senior Court in just those few years: Janet Reno, Tom Petersen, David Gilbert, Rick Margolis, Linea Johnson, Mel Black, Bruce Fleisher, Bob Singer, H.T. Smith, Bill Clay, Bruce Levy, Carl Mazdel and in no special order: Steve Rosen, Steve Bronis, Roy Gonzales, Ivan Tobias, Terry DeMeo, Barbara Blue, Mike Gale, Kirk Monroe (?), Mike Voight, Lori Strait…

Why not try to see who can expand that list from SAOs & PDs takeover until the day I left, around 1976. A golden era? TC

P.S. Could you have been there too?

Anonymous said...

Rumor has it David Miller just drew an opponent - a young chica from Cole Scott.

Anonymous said...

Why would anyone want to be a judge? Seems terrible to me. Surely Woodward makes more than $135k a year. Who would want this?

Anonymous said...

Jackie is perhaps the most qualified candidate for county court judge in the last decade. She has spent her career there, and is always on call every day by judges, PDs and even ASAs to help out with a difficult issue or do pro bono work for an unrepresented client who doesn't understand what's going on. She is always pleasant and professional and usually can solve even the most difficult problem.

She probably has more pro bono work in County Court than any lawyer I know, and I know this because I work there and see her every day. She has my support and vote.

Anonymous said...

It a power move. Give credit for doing it. Others would if they could.
Amy Donner approves.
Nice to see a successful lawyer agreeing to go to the bench for non financial reasons.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...


THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

As of this afternoon, the elections site does not show an opponent for David Miller.

Hey Rumpole - I learned something new from our readers today. Phil R is married to County Court Judge candidate Jackie Woodward. Thank you to 8:23 AM for that information.

And, I couldn't agree more with the comment from 2:32 PM. Jackie is the best and deserves the opportunity to serve as a Judge in County Court.

Cap Out .....

Anonymous said...

Fear Pracitto- a Sicilian schemer and great campaigner who will make a fantastic judge.

Anonymous said...

Jackie Woodward actually handles some of the more complex and serious felonies- as an ASA I've litigated against her on a serious case and talked to others who also have some hard felonies with her. She is smart as a whip. But very honest. I wish her well.

Anonymous said...

Rump what about the fact there are judicial candidates who are facing serious bar issues?
And I agree- I'm hoping on the Pracitto bandwagon. And also lets not forget Melena Abreu who lost by a whisker to Seraphin- who really needed to be replaced with his ignorant comment about lawyers who were breastfeeding mothers- and Melena ran an amazing campaign and really deserves to be a judge and will be great- why isn't she getting a JNC nod? The governor would do well to pick Melena.

Anonymous said...

Que paso Rene Gordon? Old time PD through and through and a class act. She should win. Would be a great great judge.

Maximmilan Schnell said...

Pracitto is the acknowledged master of DV court, and much like Woodward in County and traffic, he is sought out all the time by judges, PDs and prosecutors to assist in cases, and some judges have asked him to give CLE lectures on issues particular to DV- like excited utterances. He will be a great judge, but Miami being Miami, the only place they won't put him is in DV. He'll probably be sent to something like Doral Probate.

Anonymous said...

Hey guys what about the fact we're losing Judges Andy "hit man" Hague and Mary Jo "let em go" Francis- two of the nicest and fairest and hardest working judges in the REGJB?

Jeeze- we just toss them to the curb without a thank you?

And also Tony "el tigre" Marin, although he didn't do anyone a solid by bagging out early and throwing the seat to the governor. He should have stayed through 5/4 and let the candidates slug it out. He knows better than that.

Real Fake Former Judge said...

Doral Probate! I love it.
Is fast Gerry still doing bond hearings?
What about Nesbitt doing Arthur hearings?
Has anyone nominated Hanzman for the supreme court, or the international court in the Hague, or just for King or President?

Anonymous said...

I heard Jose Maria “Pepe” Herrera is targeting Judge Tunis’ seat.

Anonymous said...

I don't believe anyone at the SAO is talking to other ASAs about who they have "hard felonies" with.

Anonymous said...

Isn’t Judge Jackie Woodard the sister in law of SIR KENNETH THE W?

If so, I know her from her days as a sales manager at Zegna Sport in Bal Harbour Shoppes! Wonderful news. Well played.

Anonymous said...

My picks:

Group 2 - Cynamon
Group 14 - Gordon
Group 18 - don't know her
Group 21 - Woodward (of course)
Group 25 - Perkins
Group 32 - Martinez
Group 33 - not sure
Group 43 - Mirabal

Anonymous said...

Elisabeth Espinosa, a 10-year lawyer at CSK has filed against David Miller.

Anonymous said...

to poster number # in the list above:

I add attorney Douglas L. Williams to the list of former ASAs under Richard Gerstein. One of the finest, most well-read and sharpest legal minds I have ever known. He is a fiercely loyal friend and neighbor as well. I credit his influence as the reason I became a lawyer.

Anonymous said...

Don't know what you felt it necessary to note that he's Sicilian. Fucking racist.

Anonymous said...

The upper brass at CSK should be ashamed of themselves. Putting up a grossly unqualified candidate against one of the best judges in Dade county, only because they don’t like his rulings against insurance companies. What a bunch of a-holes at CSK. All judges should remember this and clobber these insurance defense bottom feeders every time they get the chance.

Anonymous said...

Ok. I’ll be the fly in the ointment. I met Woodward as I was a young ASA years ago she tried to bully young county court ASA’s for pleas she wanted or would threaten to go trial. Of course it worked on some but others who said, great let’s try a case (I got tired of being bullied) all of a sudden, plea was accepted. I realize felony world is different but everyone who has drank Jacky cool aid should walk into the misdemeanor land to see her. Notwithstanding all of that, no doubt she is more qualified on that list than most. Let’s see how she is on the bench.

the trialmaster said...

Another example of a female Hispanic lawyer who has no accomplishments who works for an insurance mill and under-bills other insurance defense firms running against an accomplished trial lawyer and distinguished long time judge merely hoping to win based upon her gender and latin name.

Anonymous said...

Elisabeth Espinosa, was also a assistant state attorney? or is that another Elisabeth Espinosa?

Anonymous said...

From CSK sirte.

Ms. Espinosa practiced as a prosecutor for six years in Hillsborough County, Florida. During her time as an Assistant State Attorney, she held the position of Lead Trial Attorney of her assigned felony division. During her prosecutorial career, she handled felony, juvenile, and misdemeanor cases in both county and circuit court. Ms. Espinosa prosecuted a variety of offenses including violent crimes, drug offense crimes, property crimes and economic crimes. Prior to working at the State Attorney’s Office, Ms. Espinosa acquired experience in private practice defending federal criminal cases. In her career, she has tried over 70 jury trials and over 60 bench trials.
Ms. Espinosa is admitted to practice in the State of Florida and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. She is also a member of the Cuban American Bar Association.

Anonymous said...

Are Lederman and Murphy up for retention?

the trialmaster said...

I doubt if she has tried 7 cases much less 70. Have her name them. If she was successful in private practice she would not be at Cole-Scott. They do not pay much for the attorneys.

Anonymous said...

Jackie Woodward is the class of candidates for county court. She is exceptionally well respected and has spent twenty years there trying cases. Judges often ask her to come to their courtroom to help pro se litigants resolve their cases. She will be a great judge.
Much the same for Chris Pracitto who spent 20 years handling DV cases and is the acknowledged expert in DV court and like Jackie, Chris is often called every day by DV judges to stop in their court and help resolve an issue with a pro se client. Both of these lawyers have very successful practices. They are seeking the bench for the best of reasons. Bravo!

Make County Court Great Again said...

As an ASA who has (unfortunately) rotated though regular County Court and DV court, I can tell you 9:14's comments are right on. I think they both will be great judges.

#MCCGA!!

Anonymous said...

Miller is a great judge. This is the second election in a row someone has run against him because they didn't like his rulings. I have no problem with people running against an incumbent who isn't doing their job, but running against an incumbent because you don't like their rulings is just messed up. (Full disclosure - I was only before him in one case and he ruled against my client.)

Perkins, Mirabal, and Abreu seem like they are campaigning the hardest and I've seen them all at many events. I've only really talked to Perkins - he's smart as hell and will be a good judge.

I haven't really talked that much to Mirabal or Abreu but think their race will probably be the most competitive this season because they both seem like they have good heads on their shoulders.

Anonymous said...

I Wonder!
How can you become a Judge without any Court experience.

Some Judicial Candidates have been sitting behind a desk for

years while others makes the court their 2nd home.

Just Wondering!

Anonymous said...

Carlos Lopez, Joe Perkins, and Jackie Woodward are easily the best suited to be on the bench.

Anonymous said...

Good picks

Anonymous said...

Miller is a great judge. Can't believe someone is trying to unseat him.

Anonymous said...

Don't forget Milena Abreu, she is been litigating cases in the courts almost 20 years. Lots of experience.

Anonymous said...

What's going on with Group 18,everbody fled when Betsy Alvarez got in and she has

not drawn any opponents. Strange!

Anonymous said...

She hasn't been a lawyer for 10 years at CSK.

Anonymous said...

She hasn't worked at CSK for 10 years. That's false.

Anonymous said...

Why anyone would want to put another Cynamon on the bench is a head-scratcher. We already have one who needs to go. And how Santovenia hasn't drawn opposition is another head-scratcher. One of the worst!

Anonymous said...

Miller works his ass off and cares only about getting it right. This is frankly shameful and disgusting behavior by CSK.

Anonymous said...

Agree with all anonymi who have posted that Miller is one of the best and hardest working judges on the bench. But, CSK's antics are more than shameful and disgusting. They're unethical, worthy of Bar investigation, and s very serious threat to the integrity of the judicial system. Not to mention that every sitting judge should be very concerned. Stay tuned and fasten your seat belts, it's gonna be a bumpy night.

Anonymous said...

Miller v. Espinosa update. Heavyweight vs. Lightweight division. Round One. CSK has filed 30+ motions to disqualify Judge Miller from all of its cases pending in that division on the sole basis that one of its associates has filed papers to challenge his seat. (Forget the fact that she hasn't qualified yet.) At least two were followed by plaintiffs' motions to disqualify CSK. Only a judge who has the cojones to issue rulings based on what's right could generate this much resentment from an insurance defense firm. Judge shop much? Stay tuned.

Anonymous said...

I just met Joe Perkins and see what everyone is talking about. This guy is the next Robert Luck / Rudy Ruiz.