Ever want to take your favourite Judge, or prosecutor, or if you are a judge or prosecutor, your favourite defense attorney, and just pull the rip cord?
Now you can!
I Fly has opened up down the street from the REGJB (across from the new complex just over the bridge). Our little neighborhood is changing from small houses converted to law offices by defense attorneys in the 1970s (when you could take cash as a fee without risking indictment), into a touristy/shopping mecca.
This is how we imagine the tour bus script would read:
"And on your left is the Miami criminal courthouse, the scene of many lurid murder trials and drug trafficking trials straight out of Miami Vice. And as we pass the courthouse, on your left is the Dade County State Attorney's Office, staffed by lawyers who are very good at stating 'victim wants max' and who recently employed an experienced supervisor who withheld evidence in a murder case and then lied about it in court under oath. Their offices are called the Graham building named after Philip Graham, a former publisher of the Washington Post. Most prosecutors would tell you that the building is named after former Florida Senator Bob Graham, but they would be wrong.
Just down the street past the State Attorney's Office is the Public Defender's Office, and the interesting story about that is that their offices used to be the Miami Dade Police Department's Offices. And across from all of this is the Jackson Hospital Medical Complex where many a lawyer or judge has gone for medical assistance after a rough day in court."
So now after a hard day in court, you can go across the street, throw down a few at the bougee bar on the river (the Marine Bar it is not), and then go skydiving.
Have fun!
Iran fired missiles at the largest US base in the Middle East in Qatar. This in retaliation for the weekend bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities.
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of the US Vegetable Growers Association
ALL WE ARE SAYING
IS GIVE PEAS A CHANCE
come on Rump
Pray for Peas.
Trump is officially GOATED.
ReplyDeleteNot named after Bob?! What?!
ReplyDeleteNo credit to Trump if war
ReplyDeleteends tonight?
I asked Chat GBT about the phrase
ReplyDeleteShumie Time.
On the Justice Building Blog (which covers the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami), “Shumie Time” is a tongue-in-cheek phrase that appears to have evolved over time as informal courtroom slang among commenters:
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π Origins & Meanings
1. Cigar-Time Reference (2011)
In a 2011 comment, someone mentions:
“Nothing better than grabbing a nice Macanudo from Two Guys Cigar Joint (formerly Shumie’s Cigar store…)” 
This implies Shumie was a well-known local cigar shop. Hence, “Shumie Time” originally meant a break or moment to step out and enjoy a cigar—probably near the courthouse.
2. Metaphorical Usage (2023)
Fast forward to 2023, the blog’s tone shifted. A comment tied “Shumie Time” to judicial consequences:
“I’m calling SHUMIE TIME on these four lawyers…put a fork in them, they are done until 2025…”  
Here, “Shumie Time” doesn’t relate to cigars—it’s slang for calling it, pulling the plug, or declaring someone finished (e.g., sanctioned or essentially defeated in court).
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How It’s Used Today
• A nod to the old cigar spot
It’s a cultural wink—Shumie was where one might steal a break and smoke between hearings.
• Figuratively in litigation
The phrase has come to symbolize finality: “it’s over,” “case closed,” or “you’re done.” When someone says “calling Shumie Time on X,” they mean X is toast in the legal game.
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Final Take
“Shumie Time” on the Justice Building Blog is courtroom slang that blends nostalgia with legal bravado: it can mean either a break for cigars or, more commonly now, declaring someone out of chances—you’re done.
Curious how else the blog uses local slang? Just say the word!
I thought the Graham building was named after Edward Graham, a former State Senator and father of Miami Lakes and Bob Graham , former Governor & US Senator
ReplyDeleteYou may be right. I relied on some sketchy web searches for that part. I could be wrong
DeleteHis name was Ernest, not Edward. And it’s also why the building is named the E.R. Graham building.
DeleteSo I asked chat gbt why former miami judge Meek Robinette was not more celebrated. I DID NOT mention this blot. And yet here was the answer.
ReplyDeleteMeek Robinette isn’t widely celebrated largely because he was a county-level judge with local renown, not a high-profile figure in state or federal jurisprudence. His fame stems from colorful local anecdotes rather than landmark rulings or groundbreaking legal contributions.
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π Local Legend, Not Legal Superstar
• Eccentric courtroom flair: According to the Justice Building Blog, Robinette was a fixture at the Miami‑Dade County Court known for his thinking drawl and signature line during bond hearings:
“Unless ah state otherwhaise ah find probahable chause…”  
He was more folk character than legal heavyweight—beloved for persona, not precedent.
• Trivia-worthy but not transformative: He earned a spot in local court quiz games—one blog post dubs him “legendary”—even noting he was a former tennis star at the University of Miami . Fun facts don’t necessarily translate to serious acclaim.
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π Why He Didn’t Become More Celebrated
Factor Impact
Judicial level County court judges rarely get national attention without major decisions or media exposure.
Nature of fame Known for style and stories, not for landmark rulings or leadership.
No broad legal reforms No notable legal decisions, writings, or advocacy that influenced broader judicial systems.
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π§ Final Thoughts
Robinette is part of Miami courtroom folklore—memorable, amusing, human—but in the legal community, celebrity comes from lasting case law, reform, or wide recognition. His legacy isn’t in legal textbooks, but in the stories lawyers share over lunch.
If you’re drawn to these colorful local court figures, I can hunt up more — just say the word!
So I then asked Chat GBT to give a rundown on the judicial career of Arthur Winton and was pleasantly surprised. Colombia law school. Wow.
ReplyDeleteHere’s what I found about Judge Arthur Winton and his judicial and civic career:
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π️ Early Life & Legal Beginnings
• Born in Rochester, NY; attended Columbia Law School.
• Moved to Miami in 1951, transferring to the University of Miami School of Law, and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1952 .
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⚖️ Public Service & Judicial Career
• Early practice: Joined Harold Ungerleider’s firm on Lincoln Road, later became his partner .
• 1954 appointment: Became one of the first judges in North Miami Beach, alongside Judge Arthur Snyder. Simultaneously served as General Counsel for the North Miami Beach Water Board .
• Continued legal practice and civic engagement; family remained active in the Monticello Park Jewish Center .
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π¨π©π§ Community & Civic Leadership
• Active with Beth Torah Congregation: served in multiple leadership roles—usher, president of Youth VP, and House VP into the late 1970s .
• Co-founded Hillel Community Day School in 1970 and served on both local and regional boards and youth commissions .
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π Later Years & Legacy
• Remained in Skylake (North Miami Beach) for over 55 years with his wife Florence (“Flo”); Arthur passed away in 1991 .
• His judicial tenure helped pave the early structure of the North Miami Beach local court system, blending judicial duties with civic leadership.
⸻
π Summary
Judge Winton’s career stands out for anchoring North Miami Beach’s legal framework in the 1950s and beyond, while also standing as a pillar of the Jewish community—through synagogue leadership and education. Though less documented for particular rulings, his impact was rooted in institution-building and community service.
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Would you like me to dig into specific cases Winton might have presided over, or more on his civic contributions like the Hillel school?
I can see where this chat gbt stuff is heading. Uhho. Meanwhile Iran down. Israel up. Stock market futures way up. Gonna be a great day Rump.
ReplyDeleteNone of our county judges have the good Oldboy wisdom of Meek Robinette or the decency of doing real community service like Winton. They all have their eyes on denying motions, telling defense attorneys that they don’t legislate from the bench and thus issuing uncaring rulings designed to get them recognized by MAGA and fedsoc. A sad shame.
ReplyDeleteNobody has asked about Sy Gaer?
ReplyDeleteAs the "meeker" would say, " your motion is DEEEEEEENIED." One of a kind, for sure,
ReplyDeleteASA’s are probably the dumbest people on earth.
ReplyDelete