PODEN US

 PODS have been explained. They caused us confusion a few posts ago when we posted the zoom numbers for Judges. Judges also have Pods. We could not understand why. Then  a long time reader filled us in. It is really poddenly simple, poden the pun. 

Pods are for in custody defendants. Apparently the jails only have so many zoom outlets and therefore to close out a case with an in-custody defendant a Judge needs to use a Pod. 

Pod explained. They could have called it "in custody zoom hearings" but the self explanatory nature of the nomenclature (say that five times fast) is too simple for use. 

At 45 seconds: "They're like huge sea pods" 

Invasion of the Body Snatchers. 1956. 

REGJB CRIMINAL COURT ASSIGNMENTS 2021

 Here is your new and updated 2021 judicial assignments for our beloved, yet empty, REGJB. This chart has the all important Zoom numbers, without which, you cannot appear and function as an advocate. You used to need your REGJB Id before starting the day so you could skip the line and be admitted to the courthouse. Now you need your Zoom numbers. Life marches on. 

2021 Felony Division Zoom Directory PDF by HR on Scribd

  

We also have a "POD" schedule. Now, as readers of this blog know, we are a polymath. If you want to know why Eisenhower chose North Africa as the first place to start America's involvement in WWII, we can speak on the subject for hours, and give you detailed reasons for the failed battle at the Kasserine Pass. If you want to know why NASA chose lunar orbit rendezvous as the strategy to land on the Moon, we can delve into the details, and update you on Buzz Aldrin's doctoral paper at MIT on orbital mechanics. The plots of Shakespeare tragedies roll off our tongue almost unconsciously, and we can quote Romeo and Juliet from nearly beginning to end. If the origins of the universe intrigue you, cosmology is our hobby. Should you wish to debate the merits (there are none) of the designated hitter rule in baseball, pull up a chair and pop open a can of your favourite micro brew and lets begin. Longtime and careful readers of the blog know this about your humble blogger. 

However, when stymied, we fully admit the limits of our (vast) knowledge. We do not understand the appeal of Instagram, or Keeping up with the Kardashians, or how to snapchat. We can find the leakage in a stock's options pricing and sometimes exploit that for personal gain, but we do not understand much about television streaming services. 

Which brings us to this: PODS. We also present to you a POD schedule. However we are admittedly confused about the need and use of said POD. Do not Judges have Zoom in their courtroom? Then why a POD? What exactly is a POD? Has the REGJB been reconfigured? Are there White-House like situation rooms now sprinkled throughout the building? Is special attire required when entering a POD? If we have a case set for court, how do we know whether to use the Zoom ID or somehow gain access to a POD? The micro-seconds after the big bang can be explained with mathematics within our grasp. The expansion of energy was a once-in-a-universe's-lifetime-event. We know why the universe did not expand evenly and we (sadly) understand why it will continue to slowly expand until our sky is a dark vast void. But we do not understand PODs. 

Here is the POD document. Do with it what you wish. 

Pod Schedule 2021 by HR on Scribd

THE PATH FORWARD AT THE REGJB

SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE: Ace Herald Reporter @DavidOvalle305, is just one of a long line of distinguished Herald reporters who have called the crime beat their own. From Susannah Nesmith all the way back to Edna Buchannan, prowling the hallways of the REGJB and digging up the stories the powers that be want hidden has been a hallmark of these intrepid members of the Fourth Estate. Now, of course, covering the REGJB has been reduced to "click-n-Zoom". The other day, David realized that he had some competition. Another person was Zooming around the REGJB Zoom calendars. His Name: "Big Meat Daddy". You can read all about their encounter in David's twitter feed listed above. 

This is the email from Judge Sayfie about new normal at the REGJB. It has been approved by the Motion Picture Association for distribution to all ages. 

Greetings to all.  I hope this email finds you all healthy.

As you all know we are back in phase 1, having spent less than 2 weeks in phase 2.  While this means that we all need to continue to be vigilant, in and out of REG, the good news is that we can move forward with our next stage.

Beginning Monday, July 6^th, we will go back to normal…our new normal.  All division calendars will be heard in the respective division’s VIRTUAL courtrooms.  To appear in court you need to zoom into the virtual courtroom.  Attached is a directory of all virtual courtroom ID’s with clickable links. [Rumpole says: we have included the attachments below]. Each judge will preside over their virtual courtroom. If a judge is covering another judge, the covering judge will appear in the virtual courtroom of the division being covered. If questions or issues arise please contact chambers.  All chambers numbers are also attached.

We will still be limited to 3 “Pods” or connections to the 3 jail facilities.  The judges will continue to special set hearings and pleas in their respective Pods for defendants who are in custody and need to be present.  Additionally, every AM there will be one judge on duty for each Pod to cover pleas and other issues that arise in the AM calendar, from divisions assigned to that Pod, that may require the presence of the defendant.  The Pod duty judge will cover their division calendar first then “move” to the Pod virtual courtroom for matters requiring inmates.  I have attached the Pod schedule and the clickable link for each Pods’ virtual courtroom. This will be amended as MDCR works to increase the number of zoom stations or pods.

We have also created a procedure for the safe fingerprinting of out of custody defendants to take pleas.  These will be set by the division JAs.

Finally, thanks to the hard work of MDCR, the COC, and our CITES, we have been able to limit the physical appearances in the courtrooms to the judge, bailiff, court clerk and court reporter, ensuring that movement and contact within the REG is limited and within the CDC guidelines.

As always, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  I want to thank all of you for your leadership and cooperation and patience as we tackle these issues. 

Please take care and wear your mask and keep your distance and stay healthy and safe!    

Rumpole says: The Judges have put themselves in Pods and we have not said one word about it- not even a passing reference to 

Invasion of the Body Snatchers. That deserves some type of award in our opinion.

Judge's Pod Schedule by HR on Scribd

Virtual Courtroom Zoom Id Directory by HR on Scribd

Coming Monday: Judge Matte Belle Davis; Judge Ted Mastos; David S Markus; David O Markus; a star-studded blog post not to be missed!

NEW FELONY PROCEDURES

UPDATED: Ovalle and Herald report nearly 500 inmates in Dade jails have tested positive for Covid-19. That's a 41% infection rate for those of you keeping score at home. And the FACDL chatter is that prosecutors are pushing back at most bond motions because...better dead than Covid...

Presented, at great personal sacrifice without any snark or comment. They're are putting judges in Pods. It's like they are baiting us to comment, but we stand firm and present this as is.  

FELONY Corona Procedures for ARRAIGNMENTS/AC/Bond Reviews for LAWYERS, CORRECTIONS
& ALL VIRTUAL PARTIES (Courtroom 4-1)             
Effective May 15, 2020 and beyond    

Join Zoom Meeting                                                    Meeting ID: 996 0478 5521
https://zoom.us/j/99604785521

One tap mobile
+17866351003, 99604785521# US (Miami)

1.       9AM: AC’s, ARRAIGNMENTS (IN CUSTODY & UNREPRESENTED OUT OF CUSTODY), Bond Reviews

(Courtroom 1-5 will be hearing Bonds, Extraditions and In-State Fugitive Warrants Only. To access remotely  (312) 584-2401, 1051843#    OR     https://call.lifesizecloud.com/1051843 )

2.       The Court will go in Division order, AC then ARRTS then BOND REVIEWS. NO PASSING CASES SO PLEASE BE “THERE” ON TIME

3.       No DEFENDANTS will be present. CORRECTIONS will be “present” with all jail cards

4.       The PD will be appointed on all out of custody arraignments

5.       The Judge will reset cases for the following day at 10AM if there is a plea, release or other issue requiring the Defendant’s presence

6.       The Judge will set all cases for status on the date prearranged by the clerk unless otherwise indicated

7.       If the case is to be RESET for the 10AM 4-1 calendar, then CORRECTIONS must note this on the Jail Card and ensure the Defendant’s presence at the hearing via ZOOM.

8.       Please review Corona Procedures for SPECIAL SETS* for information on setting and accessing a SPECIAL SET HEARING

 Courtroom 4-1 Bench Phone Number: 305 548 4946
Or Call the Chambers of the Judge Assigned to that day’s calendar

FELONY Corona Procedures for *SPECIAL SETS - LAWYERS  
Effective May 15, 2020 and beyond  

1.       If the case was reset directly from the 9 AM 4-1 arraignment calendar then it will be heard on the 10AM calendar in 4-1 by the ASSIGNED JUDGE on the 4-1 Zoom Conference Room

2.       If the case is a SPECIAL SET from DIVISION it will be set in one of 3 courtrooms depending on the Division.

3.       To place a case on a SPECIAL SET calendar, you must go through the Division Judge.  Do not contact the the COC. All arrangements must be made through the Division Judge. Please make sure you have EXHAUSTED the possibility of an agreed order or ruling on the pleadings.  Please include 1. If your client’s presence is required 2. If your client needs an interpreter 3. Name, Case #, JLN, dob of your client 4. COPY YOUR OPPOSING COUNSEL ON THE REQUEST

4.       PLEASE DOUBLE AND TRIPLE CHECK THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO JA for accuracy.

5.       FOR PLEAS MDCR will be taking fingerprints at the facilities. Prosecutors must email scoresheets to the JUDGE/JA for signature and filing.

Pod 1: 4-1                                                    

Div.   1/Simon

          5/de la O                                          

          6/Cruz                                               

        18/Milian

                21/Wolfson
                70/Fernandez   

Pod 2: 4-2

Div.  2/Fernandez-Karavetsos

        3/Diraimondo                                  

        4/Pooler                                            

        7/Miranda

 9/Johnson

        10/Brinkley

        12/Areces

Pod 3: 4-7

Div.  11/Venzer

         13/Hersch                                        

         14/Watson                                      

         15/Beovides

         17/Blumstein

  19/James (covered by MTM)

         20/Altfield

https://zoom.us/j/99604785521

Meeting ID: 996 0478 5521

One tap mobile +17866351003, 99604785521#

         

Bench Phone: 305 548 4946

https://zoom.us/j/91431602221

       Meeting ID: 914 3160 2221

One tap mobile +17866351003, 91431602221#

Bench Phone: 305 548 4927

https://zoom.us/j/93234628428

Meeting ID: 932 3462 8428

One tap mobile +17866351003, 93234628428#

 Bench Phone: 305 548 4984      

(See below for an abbreviated version of Special Set Procedures for Judges)                 

FELONY Corona Procedures for SPECIAL SETS - JUDGES 
Effective May 15, 2020 and beyond     

1.       The Judge must screen all requests for hearings and determine whether

a.       The issue can be ruled on without a hearing

b.       The issue necessitates a hearing

2.       The Judge/JA must RESERVE a time slot by contacting the POD coordinator.  Lawyers cannot request a reservation directly.  All requests must come from the Judge/JA.

3.       Requests must indicate a reasonable period of time for the hearing, being considerate of other colleagues that may also need access to the Courtroom.

4.       Once the time/date are reserved then the Judge/JA/Bailiff of the division are responsible for sending notice to the parties and agencies: lawyers, corrections, interpreter, court reporter, probation and the clerk.

5.       Effective 4/13/20 – the Court can hear matters in 4-1 via Zoom that are not emergencies or critical matters, at the discretion of the division judge and giving priority to other matters that are in fact critical or emergencies.

6.       You must use the new MEETING IDs provided.  These IDs will work with the new ZOOM simultaneous interpretation function and these IDs are being distributed to all parties & agencies.