JUDGE SLOM TO RETIRE

(Scroll down below for exclusive video of THE BROWARD STRANGLER ( (c) Rumpole, 2019, all rights reserved)- a Broward Judge in action. Not safe for children.) 

Say it ain't so Sam. 
Judge Sam Slom, the Chief Administrative Judge of County Court Criminal Division  is set to retire on October 31, 2019. Boo!
As the Chief Administrative Judge of the criminal division of County Court, Judge Slom took County Court from the era of paper files and pushed, and pulled, and cajoled and led his Court into the future, implementing most of the technology the Florida Supreme Court has required. (Misdemeanor Criminal Files are still paper files, in violation of the order, but shhhhhsh….we won't tell if you won't.)

Judge Slom was a good, capable, and dedicated administrator. He is much like an umpire or referee; you know he is doing a good job when you don't hear much about him or his charges. Riding herd on a gaggle of misdemeanor judges who are just sitting around marking time until their true brilliance is discovered and they are elevated to circuit court is not an easy job.  Egos must be accommodated. Judges who have no idea what they are doing, but think they know it all, are difficult to handle on their best days. 

Judge Slom handled his duties with aplomb. His work and dedication should be recognized and appreciated, and his leadership will be missed. 

But now the real fun: you think there is political intrigue in electing a pope? HA. The Vatican has nothing on the type of political infighting and backstabbing we will see  when judges sense a leadership ring is within their grasp. Who are the front runners? Who are the dark-horses? Stay tuned. 

VIDEO OF THE BROWARD STRANGLER (que spooky music)
Here is the video of the Broward Strangler - a Broward Judge doing what Broward Judges do best: acting insane. 

Judge Rosenberg and the First Step Act. 
And before you're done with todays action packed blog post, check out Judge Rosenberg's Op Ed piece in the NY Times about reducing a life sentence to 20 years under the First Step Act. The piece is here. This is what real judges do readers. 
H/T to the indefatigable Mr. Markus and his top notch blog.