He was Janet Reno’s chief assistant when she was the state attorney and he accompanied her to DC when she became the AG. John was roundly comsidered to be one of the finest trial attorneys in an office loaded with talent. While he is probably best remembered for his successful prosecution in the Officer William Lozano prosecution (he won the case against Roy Black only to have it overturned on appeal and Lozano was acquitted in a re-Trial in Orlando) we think that there are many other cases that John handled just as well. We are sure many people have will post them. In our dealings with John we found him to not only be a worthy adversary but a very nice gentleman.
His contributions to Miami during the turbulent time of the State Attorney’s Office cannot be overestimated.
When you see something that is not right, not fair, find a way to get in the way and cause trouble. Congressman John Lewis
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7 comments:
How does one earn the recognition as "one of the best" if not the best in a top five in the nation prosecutor's office of state crimes. The reason the Lozano case was overturned was because Roy Black, regarded as the best criminal defense attorney in Florida for about 25 years,came up with the argument that having police in riot gear and military type vehicles outside the courthouse to deal with the inevitable rioting if the jury returned a not guilty verdict. THESE COMMENTS ARE INTENDED FOR THOSE WHO READ THIS BLOG AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY EVALUATE TALENT. First, to rise up the ranks to be given the responsibility of handling the most difficult cases one must win, win ethically and humbly, and have judges and opposing counsel respect you and make no accusations of impropriety.
Secondly, you must continually educate yourself so that you are on top of statutory changes, case law, new science. Third,you can handle the stress of the media, television coverage, and every decision and move you make analyzed and criticized and remain focused. Fourth, you have the courage to go up against the best. Like the athlete who chokes in the playoffs after a great season, there are PLENTY of trial lawyers who want to be no where near a tough case and plenty of prosecutors who will not go to trial unless they have no witness and evidentiary problems and about an 85% chance of winning going in. The greatness of a trial lawyer like John Hogan is that he possessed all of the above and did it quietly. Young attorneys, you do not have to toot your own horn. The judges and lawyers know who they are. It is easy to spot them, they are the ones judges ask to accept appointment in impossible cases and they are the prosecutors who try cases against the most competent defense attorneys and Miami is known for having the best in the nation. So Rest in Peace, John Hogan, I never had a case against you but I knew of you and you were a rarity, talent and class together. The type of lawyer so many of us should aspire to and don't, but you did!
Just saw that Wendell Graham has resigned effective Aug 31. Any news on that?
John was a really great lawyer but, also a really nice man. Sorry to hear the news.
As a young prosecutor who worked with John he was a quiet gentleman. He was superb. But he never tooted his own horn. He had a quiet confidence. His door was always open for advice and he always welcomed me in with a warm smile. I admired him greatly.
341 makes some good points. Federal Judge Scola was asked to defend a man who convinced his friends to land a helicopter in the yard of a prison to escape. His reward: Circuit Judge then federal Judge.
Circuit Judge Scola successfully prosecuted a violent gang in federal court as an ausa. Reward: Circuit court judge. I could go on. Yes there are some idiots on the bench who got elected but most are highly competent and earned their seat.
3:41 Great post!
I was a rebellious and [sometimes] maverick prosecutor under John Hogan's supervision. He was quite fair, absolutely authoritative and always a gentleman. He definitely groomed me, and other contemporaries, into being better lawyers. He was a real good guy and class act.
R.I.P.
John was my boss at SAO back in the old days. He was always a nice guy but, still a tough prosecutor. He never made me look bad when I made a mistake. Sorry to hear of his passing.
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