Legendary Miami Juvenile Court Judge Tom Petersen passed away Friday. He was 80 years old.
They do not make them like Tom Petersen anymore. He was the type of judge, the type of man, that did not let bureaucrats, or legal niceties stand in the way of helping and protecting the children of Miami. He was not the type of judge to shrug his shoulders at an injustice and say that he just calls balls and strikes. He was the type of judge who saw a wrong and righted it. He was the type of judge who would take off his robe, roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty.
Judge Petersen would not just read reports on how a child was doing; he would get in his car and visit the home. As the Miami Herald reported, he once took a child to a Marlin's game as a reward for completing his assigned community service. He would dress up as Santa for Christmas and deliver toys to children. He was a judge, but he was so much more. A humanitarian; a ceaseless advocate for juvenile justice and the rights of children.
Judge Petersen, both a former public defender and a former prosecutor, used the grand jury process to investigate wrongs and help right them. One of the first pre-trial diversion programs in the US? Tom Petersen developed the program and saw it instituted in Miami. Have a client whose case was dismissed after PTI? Thank Tom Petersen. That program alone benefited -- a hundred thousand Miamians? Maybe more.
What people who knew Tom Petersen closest will tell you is that he used the law and courts to make society a better place. And he did it exceptionally well. Judge Petersen comes from a time when Judges worked to make a difference in the world we all live in. From a time when Judges carried the ball of desegregation over the goal line; a time long gone, replaced by judges who believe that they are empowered to do little, and solve less. Judge Petersen was the antithesis of a conservative judicial philosophy. He lived his life believing he was empowered to try and make the world a better place. As we said, they don't make judges like Tom Petersen anymore, and unfortunately that is by design.
Miami owes a debt of thanks to Tom Petersen that will never be fully recognized or repaid. We are all better for the life he lived.
Here is the Herald Obit- spend a few moments and read about this remarkable man.
13 comments:
The man knew every inch of Miami Dade county. In a misdemeanor bond hearing, he’d be reading an A Form for some bullshit disorderly intox and look up at the defendant.
“you live at 6829 SW 141st street?”
Defendant would nod yes.
“That Burger King still at the corner?” Judge Peterson would ask?
Then he’d warn the guy about being drunk in public and dismiss the case.
Class act. Old school. Will be missed.
Not only a remarkable man but also such a kind and compassionate one as well
I just plane loved him.
I often mention how sad it is that no one ever created a Hall of Fame for those giants who have walked the Halls of now REG. Tom Peterson is one person who earned a spot in the Hall. He was the creator of Pretrial Intervention back in the 70's. Thousands of people and maybe tens of thousands can thank him for their successful encounter with the criminal justice system in a system not known for being user friendly. Always warm and friendly Tom always had time to stop and chat. He will be missed. A great man and better human being who gave so much to those less fortunate, Tom was part of an idealistic generation tempered by John F. Kennedy in the early 60's who actually made a difference. Somewhere along the way we lost that passion and zeal to make the world a better place than we found it.
He was incredible with his dedication to children’s issues in court. So was Judge Seymour Gelber, Judge Michael Hanzman and Judge Gladstone. Legends. Heroes. Made a difference.
Yes Ted. We seem to only have the ability to leave the world a hotter place than we found it
Even in retirement, Tom was always helping people. What a pleasure it was to have known him.
I'm very saddened to hear about Judge Peterson's passing. I met him when he was one of my professors at the University of Miami. I was a criminology major and he was my professor for several of my classes. After several semesters, I spoke to him about wanting to go to law school. He said he would write a letter of recommendation for me. I was so honored and spoke to some of my attorney friends about him. Everyone said nothing but nice things about him. He was a caring professor and his passion for the law came through with each class. Once I became an attorney, I ran into to Judge Peterson in the cafeteria on the 1st floor. I quickly ran up to him to say hello and we had a little chat. He was loved by my classmates and respected by all of his colleagues. May he rest in peace and thank you for all your contributions to our legal system.
Thank you, Rumpole, for publishing the full obituary story by Carol Marbin Miller about Tom Petersen.
I worked with him in my years as an ASA in the late 70s. He stood nearly alone in recognizing that not everyone who smoked weed should go to jail, or even have a conviction on his/her record. This led to his founding of the PTI program in Miami which has no doubt saved the butts of many young people who later went on to live useful, even distinguished, lives, free of the criminal record which can sharply limit, even snuff out, ambitious live plans. It is not really possible to overestimate the value of Tom's advocacy in this regard.
Because I am writing anonymously, and he has passed, I will add that Tom was a longtime active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, in which he accepted his own addiction, stayed on a path to recovery, and provided real help to other alcoholics, as a regular member of at least one home group, as a sponsor, and as a warm and caring friend.
There is no doubt at all that Tom's memory will be for a blessing.
When I first became an attorney I appeared before Judge Peterson often. He always struck me as a thoroughly decent human being. It seems he struck everybody the same way. Life is a fleeting thing but the legacy we leave can be enduring and an inspiration to others. Judge Peterson will be remembered fondly by hundreds of people who were fortunate to know him.
I am still heartbroken over his passing. One of the best human beings, period. The world seems a little sadder without him.
The legendary Judge Petersen was a man with a heart of gold, an incredible sense of humor and a brilliant mind. He used everything he had to fight social injustice. In his personal life, he retired from Senior Status to spend more time with his wife Irene, who was the love of his life. Always trying to make a difference in the lives of others, he took a few civil cases pro-bono to help the cashier at a local supermarket, a retired state worker who was swindled of her life savings, and on and on went the list of acts of kindness.
Petersen's currency was love and respect. He enjoyed the simple, yet meaningful things: small gatherings with friends, his cats, reading, watching movies, uber eats and loving Irene.
Rest in peace Judge, there will never be anyone else like you.
I was a close friend of Tom Petersen and live in New York City and we share the same birthday. In trying to reach him as we did traditionally on our 9/17 birthdays, I learned he had passed away. What a remarkable compassionate man Tom was and a close friend also of my brother Anthony and I am also trying to reach Irene. If anyone sees this belated condolence plz contact me - I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. God bless you dearest friend Tom and all you did for humanity. Suzanne Vlamis -- svlamis13@gmail.com
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