Criminal Law
JAABlog 
Coverage of the Broward County, Fla., courts and judiciary.
Post Frequency: 5.6/day Last Entry: September 01, 2010 at 18:50:00 Recent Entries: 1242
By Bill Gelin,Brian Reidy, Vivian Gariboldi, Donald Cannarozzi, and Jeffrey Ivashuk.
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McHUGH IN 2012
Posted on September 01, 2010Her Honor? Attorney Katie McHugh is running for county court judge in 2012. She's got her eye on two occupied seats, although she may opt for an open race depending on how things shake out over the coming months. She joins Jonathon Marne, Bob Nichols, and Steve Schaet in the rapidly growing pool of announced 2012 contenders...
MEET JUDGE LOPANE
Posted on September 01, 2010Nick Lopane and perennial finalist/good guy Raag Singhal GM Nick Lopane has been appointed to replace John Frusciante on the circuit court. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FINALISTS Also: Robert A. Butterworth, 68, of Hollywood, attorney with Atkinson, Diner, Stone, Mankuta & Ploucha P...
JAABCAM
Posted on August 30, 20101.) "I'm running." Peter Weinstein, pictured with his long term deputy Tony Sutera this afternoon. The gregarious Weinstein confirmed he's seeking the Chief Judgeship, but wouldn't elaborate. The word on the street is he's already got the votes; 2...
HOUSEKEEPING
Posted on August 30, 2010Broward Judge Hurley Gets Standing Ovation From Inmates Ginger Lerner Wren: "Failure to educate" "The cradle-to-prison pipeline that exists has been well-documented and discussed by our nation's leading experts in government, education and the law ...
THE 2012 JUDICIAL ELECTION SEASON BEGINS
Posted on August 26, 2010Judge Marne? Attorney Jonathon Marne is announcing his candidacy for judge in 2012. For now he's keeping the seat he's seeking a secret, although many who know him may have an idea. Marne is undeterred by the Incumbent Steamroller, taking Tuesday's lessons to heart...
JAABCAM
Posted on August 25, 20101.) Free at last! APD Don Cannarozzi reacts to news of Lee Seidman's loss; 2.) Dragonslayer nonpareil. Judge Sandra Perlman and former ASA Brian Silber this morning. Perlman has vanquished both Cheryl Aleman and Seidman. Is there a Satz in her future?; 3...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on August 25, 2010Dance, puppets, dance - here's the list of judges up in 2012. Remember, it's not whether you win or lose, it's about protecting the public from arrogant, insecure bullies who forget they work for the voters. Sure, some bad judges were swept in this time along with the deserving moderate Crist appointees who are Broward's future, but there isn't a judge on the bench who wants to sing for his or her supper, lose sleep, spend money, and possibly forfeit a disgustingly fat retirement benefit...
MEET JUDGE PERLMAN
Posted on August 24, 2010Sandra Perlman strikes again. First Cheryl Aleman, and now Lee Seidman. Sorry Lee Jay, but we told you so back in April. Now you'll have to settle for locking up your dog when he's late for kibble, instead of defendants who are ten minutes late for court...
MEET JUDGE MICHAEL ROBINSON
Posted on August 23, 2010Abracadabra! General Master to Circuit Judge ... Mike Robinson has been appointed to fill Gardiner's circuit seat. GOVERNOR CRIST APPOINTS MICHAEL A. ROBINSON TO 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ROBINSON FAMILY!
TONIGHT AT 7:00 PM
Posted on August 21, 2010So lonely ... Howard Finkelstein will be speaking this evening at 7:00 PM at the Koinonia Worship Center, 4900 West Hallandale Beach Blvd., in Pembroke Park. The politically influential congregation has a close working relationship with the Public Defender's Office, having sponsored civil rights Redemption Workshops and other outreach programs in the past...
KULIK SPEAKS ...
Posted on August 20, 2010A sunshine law violation would have required an agreement or decision between the two commissioners in a private, unnoticed to the public, meeting. It would have to be such an agreement on an issue which would have been raised before the board at a later date...
EVERYTHING'S COMING UP O'CONNOR ...
Posted on August 19, 2010Pulp: Businessman Says Political Contributor Bought Judge O'Connor's Allegiance " ... Anyway you look at this situation, it stinks. O'Connor -- who has been dogged by past discrimination complaints filed against her while she worked as a federal prosecutor before being appointed by Jeb Bush in 2003 -- can say (Attorney Mimi) Sall's money and support had no influence on her decisions in the case, but the appearance is there...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on August 19, 2010House foreclosure diffused - portions of the fifth and sixth floors of the old courthouse were temporarily closed Thursday morning, due to a bomb threat. The fifth floor was reportedly specified, leading observers to wonder if a soon to be homeless homeowner was making a last ditch effort to stay put ...
SATZ DOES IT AGAIN
Posted on August 18, 2010Fred Berman disposed of the public corruption cases against two Coral Springs commissioners a few minutes ago via Directed Verdict. That's right, the cases were so weak a judge didn't even let them get to a jury. Attorney Kevin Kulik has been keeping us abreast of this one...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on August 18, 2010? ? ? ? Guv in an elevator ? ? ? ? DENIED! - the Governor's people firmly rejected our request to sit in on the judicial appointment interviews today, in professional and polite fashion. These guys are no amateurs. There weren't any compelling legal arguments to make either, besides the feeble "hey, the JNC interviews are open, so why not the Governor's too?"...
NEVINS WEIGHS IN ...
Posted on August 17, 2010BBeat: Skolnik and O?Connor "Circuit Judge Eileen O?Connor is getting a pass ... On her March 6, 2003 application to be appointed judge, O?Connor was asked if she had ever been accused of misconduct or the subject of a complaint ?with any regulatory or investigatory agency, or with your employer?? O?Connor answered: ?No...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on August 17, 2010Meet The Governor - Charlie Crist is in town Wednesday, interviewing six finalists for two open circuit seats in his Fort Lauderdale office. We're told they are not Sunshine Meetings, but we'll let you know what happens ... What did she say? - "One minute you?re an advocate, then the next minute you?re not anymore...
FRIDAY BONUS
Posted on August 13, 2010Cohen v. Melnick - an unofficial transcript of the recorded calls of inmate Stephen Gibbs has come our way. Here are the portions Team Cohen reportedly are relying on: Recording #8: call with girlfriend: Florence: so what about, today. Your mom is going down to?...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on August 12, 2010PSCC Reunion - the PSCC met for the first time since February Thursday, with a fully recouped Henry Mack at the helm. It was also the first meeting held over at BSO's Public Safety Building since Vic Tobin sounded the death knell for easily accessed Sunshine Meetings in the courthouse...
COHEN V. MELNICK HEATS UP
Posted on August 11, 2010From Dale Cohen's RESPONSE TO MOTION TO QUASH SUBPOENA AND MOTION FOR ATTORNEY?S FEES: "... Judge Cohen had figured out that (Defendant) Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Melnick were engaged in illegal and improper forum shopping. Mr. Melnick did not know it but, his client at the time, Mr...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on August 11, 2010JAABWALK - Wednesday's constitutional started at 9:35 AM, ending at 9:53 AM. Only the old courthouse was checked, scheduled for demolition. One campaigning judge was on the bench, and at least three were MIA. 36 courtrooms were checked, yielding 20 EMPTY, and 16 IN USE...
JAABCAM
Posted on August 10, 20101.) Community Organizer Sallie Tillman-Watson, outside early voting at the African-American Library Tuesday; 2.) ASA Joe Zager and Deputy Julie Bower (PWBC); 3.) Bob and Stanton K; 4.) That's Mickey Rocque with hair and Bob Fogan, clearing the way in the early nineties for the very same Drug Courts that Satz now takes credit for; 5...
OH LILAS!
Posted on August 04, 2010The Sun Sentinel's Tonya Alanez has come up with a real gem. It turns out yet another Broward prosecutor is caught in a potential ethical quagmire, investigated for striking a bicyclist at 12:20 AM Friday morning and not sticking around to iron out the details (gee, why would she leave?)...
WHO WANTS TO BE THE STATE ATTORNEY?**
Posted on August 04, 2010(The following article was written by Buddy Nevins and posted on his website BrowardBeat.com this afternoon. It has been reproduced in full below, with Buddy's permission.) Survey Shows That Mike Satz Is Vunerable BY BUDDY NEVINS The survey was done only in Sunrise, but it still should vitally interest State Attorney Mike Satz...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on August 04, 2010LitDrop - want to lend a hand in the coming weeks? Send an email to litdrop@yahoo.com. Confidentiality guaranteed. Violent Image Warning - here's the video of Jamaican police beating and shooting a suspect in front of witnesses last week. The shooting takes place at 1:43 of the tape (Thanks to Reggaelawyer)...
O'CONNOR/SOKOLOFF UPDATE
Posted on August 02, 2010We've been hearing all kinds of rumblings regarding the vandalized Rhoda Sokoloff signs. For instance, there may be a suspect, who may in fact be a Judge Eileen O'Connor supporter. We couldn't contact O'Connor's campaign treasurer Ramon Rodriguez with questions, since his listed address on the Florida Division of Elections website is no longer valid, and because the EverBank representative we spoke to didn't have a forwarding number (Bank of Florida's successor)...
T.J. REDDICK ENDORSEMENTS
Posted on August 02, 2010Ghenete Wright-Muir, TJ Reddick Bar Association President Here are the T.J. Reddick endorsements for the upcoming judicial elections. Be sure to read the announcement, which also includes blurbs as to each candidates' qualifications. Circuit Court: Gillespie, Williams, Rodriguez, Lebow, Destry, Rebollo, McCarthy, Luzzo, Porter, Perlman, O'Connor...
JAABCAM: GOVERNMENT IN THE DARK EDITION
Posted on July 30, 20101.) Where your tax dollars are going - a bunch of technocrats are currently going over the building plans for the new courthouse. The meeting is a semi-secret all day affair, held in the Broward County Main Library Auditorium, since Chief Judge Victor Tobin has successfully moved all public meetings out of the courthouse to thwart your humble author...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on July 29, 2010More than fifteen so far - that's the estimated number of Rhoda Sokoloff signs that have been criminally vandalized by someone who obviously supports her opponent, Judge Eileen O'Connor. All the signs damaged so far have been on the east side, and sprayed by the same person, authorities believe...
LEBOW 1, SATZ 0
Posted on July 28, 2010State v. Jason Stone In sum, we hold that the circuit court?s ruling granting a motion for judgment of acquittal before a jury verdict is not one that the state may appeal under section 924.07. The court?s ruling was based on the state?s failure to present evidence after being given the opportunity to do so, and not on a defect in the indictment or other ground unrelated to factual guilt or innocence...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on July 27, 2010Thursday Night @ 5:45 PM - here's the info for the County Court Judicial Forum at NSU. 2012 Races - here's the info on which judges are up in 2012. Breslaw's busted - here's the article by the Sun Sentinel's Tonya Alanez outing the government cheese eating wannabe judge...
MAN ON THE TRAIL
Posted on July 26, 2010Tony Clifton will be handicapping this year's races in honor of his old drinking buddy, Jimmy the Greek. Clifton is an independent contractor, so don't confuse his thoughts with the forthcoming JAABLOG endorsements. After being around the condos all these years, you learn a thing or two about campaigns...
JAABCAM
Posted on July 26, 20101.) Lester's hosted another surreal meal today. Ken Jenne and Art Kennedy were there, gentlemen both. Despite the extra hard knocks we've given the former Sheriff, he was genuinely gracious and engaging. 2.) Dr. Alan Braunstein was there too, as was Dr...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on July 22, 2010Rodriguez slays 'em Me, me, me - The BCBA circuit court candidates forum was held tonight. It was an eye opener to finally attend one of these events, especially the one being being billed as this season's flagship forum. Every circuit Judicial Group was represented, and it went on for quite awhile...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on July 20, 2010Condo Commandos hanging with Judge Matt Destry Tuesday Florida Bar Voluntary Self-Disclosure Statements - click here for the resumes of participating judicial candidates, courtesy of The Florida Bar. Where's Ana? - has anyone seen Gardiner on the campaign trail? Didn't her new boss, Richard Cole, tell the Sun Sentinel that she "will head the firm's new plan to support "judges who have done an outstanding job who are being targeted for elections"? Come on Ana, Broward needs you now more than ever...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on July 19, 2010CCRC v. PD - Philip Massa is still fighting. He wants standing to contest Public Defender Motions To Withdraw, for obvious reasons. Click here for his brief filed with the Supreme Court, asking for Johnson v. State (Fla. 4th DCA 2009) to be quashed, and here for all of the filings thus far...
DONOHO DOES IT AGAIN
Posted on July 16, 2010Here's the email candidate Melissa Minsk Donoho sent to a ton of criminal defense lawyers earlier today: From: bacdl@googlegroups.com [mailto:bacdl@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of melissa donoho Sent: Friday, July 16, 2010 12:45 PM To: bacdl Subject: (BACDL) Judge Hurley I have debated sending this out...
FRANK LOCONTO PRESENTS ...
Posted on July 15, 2010The Broward County Bar Association has aggregated all of the judicial campaign interviews shot for a $175.00 fee with BECON TV's Frank Loconto. The videos are found here. The following county candidates filmed segments (click the name for the video): John D...
LIFE IN PRISON!
Posted on July 14, 2010Attorneys Richard Rosenbaum and Mike Tenzer have saved Omar Loureiro's life. Despite ASA Brian Cavanagh's best efforts, the jury returned a recommendation of life in prison minutes ago, after deliberating for a little less than four hours. It's unlikely the judge will override the jury's recommendation...
JAABCAM
Posted on July 14, 20101.) ASA Brian Cavanagh and the victim's brother, Rick Lentry, after the sentencing. Both men are gracious to a fault. Cavanagh told Loureiro "you are a very lucky man, you have marvelous advocates for lawyers". Lentry, for his part, said the family was prepared for either verdict, having agreed before the second trial that life without parole would be an acceptable outcome...
CAESAR & HERALD ENDORSEMENTS/GARRISON DEFERS
Posted on July 13, 2010Democratic Chairman Mitch Ceasar announced today his endorsement of all five minority incumbent judges currently opposed for re-election. Ceasar as Chairman (14 years) has never endorsed in judicial elections. In explaining this unprecedented action, Ceasar explained that these judges "were not opposed because of a lack of competence or scandal, but rather because of the color of their skin...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on July 12, 2010Alan Bernstein A message from circuit court candidate Alan Bernstein (paid political advertisement, blah, blah, blah ... ): My name is Alan Bernstein and I am a candidate for Broward Circuit Court, Group 23. I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself...
SUNDAY NOTES
Posted on July 11, 2010July/August SAO Newsletter - click here for the summer edition of "The Seventeenth", featuring ASA Monica Hofheinz's summary of criminal laws effective July 1st. "For the most contested judicial race in Broward County history" - click here for the flyer advertising the Nova Southeastern "Meet Your Judicial Candidates" forums on July 22 (Circuit) and July 29 (County)...
COURTHOUSE LOSS
Posted on July 09, 2010Attorney Ed Dinna has passed away. Ed was no stranger to adversity and one hell of a lawyer. He was an inspiration to us all. GOD BLESS
SERVER PROBLEMS
Posted on July 07, 2010(Miami Herald 2005) THIS SPACE WILL UPDATE SHORTLY DMV Field Trip Wednesday - Formal Review policy changes/DWLS one year amnesty; O'Connor & Seidman Herald endorsements; Mike Satz - fair weather friend?; If 80% of the affected class is African-American, is it still classism?; Have JNC Interviews been properly Sunshined?; Judge Elijah Williams Fundraiser at Attorney Steve Melnick's office MONDAY, across from the jurors lot; PRRs sent to SAO; White candidates and the Black churches; Behind the scenes Chief Judge election intrigue heating up; HST: "I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours...
MORE GRISS FOR THE MILL
Posted on July 06, 2010We had a chance to pull the Griss file earler today, spurred on by the following comment from "Gelin your full of it ", stating: "Spencer has had this case from the beginning, it was not just pawned off on him ... ". Well, the commentator is correct...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on July 06, 2010Ambassador Andrew Young in the house ... Brush with greatness - former UN Ambassador Andrew Young appeared before Judge Carlos Rebollo today. The former aide to MLK, Mayor of Atlanta, Congressman, and Ambassador under President Jimmy Carter spoke on behalf of a young man with a bright future...
JAABCAM/SPU STRIKES AGAIN
Posted on July 05, 20101.) Sun Sentinel photographer Lou Toman doesn't know the meaning of retirement. Here he is last week volunteering with the Sheriff's Posse unit, helping out at BSO's Public Safety Building; 2.) Howard Finkelstein endorsing Mike Mayo's candidacy for judge; 3...
SATZ ALL WET
Posted on July 02, 20106th Floor Appeals Division Big flood in the old courthouse .... SAO flooded. Developing ... UPDATE: TV camera crews on scene at 11:00 AM.
A PUBLIC APOLOGY ...
Posted on July 02, 2010To ASA Spencer Multack, from JAABLOG. Our take on the Griss trial ("Surprise, Surprise") has ruffled some feathers. Not that we care about ruffled feathers, but we do care when a post can be read as impugning an innocent bystander. The fact is that Spencer did an amazing job prosecuting Griss, and that the Reckless Driving verdict was not his fault...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on June 30, 2010Repeat - the same names went up today for Governor Charlie Crist to replace Gentleman John Frusciante. Crist will now be able to replace both Gardiner & Frusciante from the same gene pool. Two of the following six names will magically become judges in the near future: Raag Singhal, Mike Robinson, Maria Schneider, Nick Lopane, Jorge Hurtado, and Jerry Williams...
GRANTED!
Posted on June 29, 2010Judge Richard Yale Feder granted Team Golburgh's Motion To Dismiss Complaint For Failure To State A Claim minutes ago. Team Merrigan's efforts to get Golburgh booted off the ballot have failed at the trial court level. Another blow for an incumbent judge...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on June 28, 2010Jack Thompson's Corner - The Florida Bar has been corresponding with Jack. Click here for a letter dated June 25th, confirming again both the Bar's own complaint & investigation of the Gardiner JQC issues, and the closing of the Thompson complaint...
JAABCAM
Posted on June 27, 20101.) Yes, African-Americans can be lawyers too. Jermaine O'Neill Thompson got the defendant treatment last week, after trying to enter the courthouse via the attorney entrance. He came in with his friend, similarly attired former ASA Brian Silber, who was allowed to enter unmolested...
IT'S BRESLAW v. ROBINSON
Posted on June 24, 2010Jordan Breslaw writes: THE BRESLAW FAMILY LEGACY SURVIVES THE FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS JUST REVERSED THE LOWER COURT''S RULING AND ORDERED THAT JORDAN HOWARD BRESLAW BE MAINTAINED ON THE BALLOT FOR THE PRIMARY AUGUST 24, 2010. THE COURT STATED THAT JORDAN USED THE NAME "BRESLAW" FOR DECADES, IT IS THE NAME THAT HE WAS BORN WITH AND WHICH HE HAD USED IN HIS PUBLIC AND PERSONAL LIFE FOR DECADES! JORDAN HOWARD BRESLAW MADE NO ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE OR CONFUSE THE VOTERS...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on June 24, 2010Judicial Endorsements - Judges Ken Gillespie, Elijah Williams, and Mary Rudd Robinson, together with Candidates Roshawn Banks and Jahra McLawrence, won the coveted Nichols Endorsement Thursday night. The honors were bestowed at the Melrose Park Homeowner's Association meeting by Judicial Candidate Robert Nichols...
WHITEWASH!
Posted on June 23, 2010Look at him, Mr. Satz ... SS: Agencies clear two Sunrise officers accused of brutality "The officers arrested teenager Ewan Rose on Oct. 9, more than a year after his acquittal in a sexual battery case. Rose, then 18, was charged with loitering, battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest with violence...
SIX NAMES FOR GARDINER'S SEAT
Posted on June 23, 2010The JNC has sent the following six names to Governor Charlie Crist for consideration to replace Gardiner: Raag Singhal, Mike Robinson, Maria Schneider, Nick Lopane, Jorge Hurtado, and Jerry Williams. The names to replace Judge John Frusciante will also be drawn from the interviews conducted yesterday, at a later date...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on June 23, 2010And it's only June - things got a little wacky at the Hollywood Democratic Club Tuesday night. A surreal handful of voters, and a veritable mob of candidates. A speaker or two reportedly sang their addresses, and Lloyd Golburgh took the opportunity to blow off some steam, giving what observers call an usually candid speech about the Broward judicial political process...
BROWARD'S WHITE KNIGHT HAS ARRIVED
Posted on June 21, 2010Just when you thought nothing could redeem the image of Broward's beleaguered judiciary, along comes its savior. That's right, the white knight has arrived, in the form of former Judge Larry Seidlin. The Sun Sentinel's Tonya Alanez reports that Seidlin will be bringing his charismatic stream of consciousness patter to television sets everywhere, in a show called "Psychic Court"...
MORE FUN WITH DROP
Posted on June 21, 2010The Sun Sentinel's searchable DROP database has unclouded a few mysteries regarding the future plans of some of Broward's constitutional officers. With "double dipping" a thing of the past, an elected official must retire and wait at least six months to return to government work...
MEET JUDGE MELINDA "MINDY" BROWN
Posted on June 21, 2010That's what we're hearing, taking over Judge Peggy Gehl's seat ... Will confirm Tuesday ... CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FINALISTS!
SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!
Posted on June 20, 2010Who needs the Peace Corps? DROP! - Broward/JAABLOG state courts notables set to retire within five years or less, from the searchable Sun Sentinel DROP Database: Fred Berman, Lucy Chernow Brown, Geoff Cohen, Leonard Feiner, John Frusciante, Edward Garrison, Marc Gold, Patricia Henning, Kathleen Ireland, Peggy Quince, Mary Robinson, Robert Rosenberg, Dale Ross ($631,888...
GUILTY!
Posted on June 17, 2010Omar Loureiro is guilty as charged. The penalty phase begins July 12. Two careers destroyed FOR NOTHING. The coverup is always worse than the crime ... In other news, Stacy Ritter's father got a free pass from the SAO. All minimum mandatory penalties waived...
SUSPENDED!
Posted on June 17, 2010Infamous FLPD Raider Jason Maldonado has been suspended. DEVELOPING ...
JAABCAM
Posted on June 17, 20101.) Tenzer & Rosenbaum after the buzzer announced a decision had been made, but before the Loureiro jury verdict was published. These guys have already fought a gallant, corruption busting battle to ensure justice, even though their greatest challenge on this case is yet to come; 2...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on June 16, 2010"Hey Vic, what's in the cooler?" - once upon a time, Chief Judge Victor Tobin was just one of the guys. Fun loving, hard partying, and a respected trial lawyer. He liked to win, and frequently did. The best story we've heard (trial story, that is) has to do with a death penalty case, before 'Hanging Judge' Thomas Coker...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on June 14, 2010Congrats Brad Collins! - it's not everyday one of your pals makes it to the US Supreme Court. Here's the opinion, and the New York Times editorial. "Welcome to the 2010 Broward Judicial Bar Poll" - Consultant Dan Lewis will be distributing voting access keys to the 8,000+ licensed attorneys in Broward county by email and making the voting site ?Live?, possibly as early as Wednesday...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on June 10, 2010Williams & Steinsaltz fundraisers - a Bondsmen Special for Judge Elijah Williams, TODAY (Friday), June 11th, at Chuck's Steakhouse on 17th Street, at 12:00 PM. Attorney Terrence Moons is hosting a party for County Candidate Debra Steinsaltz, WEDNESDAY, June 16th, at Marcia's Cafe, 3750 N...
WEDNESDAY NOTES/"IT WAS ONLY LUNCH"
Posted on June 09, 2010"It's my shackles, my shackles!" Do it again - State v. Loureiro took a turn for the worse today, after defendant Omar Loureiro complained of pain, stood up and stumbled out in front of the voir dire panel, exclaiming "It's my shackles, my shackles"...
LAWSUIT!
Posted on June 08, 2010Team Merrigan has filed this lawsuit against opponent Lloyd Golburgh ... (JAABLOG will update at the normal time)
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on June 08, 2010It's getting nasty out there ... and it's only June - reports are coming in from all over the county regarding judicial candidates going negative. Oliver Parker was reportedly stripped of a microphone after going after Judge Ken Gillespie, anonymous emails and Facebook pages have been popping up regarding Judge Eileen O'Connor's problems at the US Attorney's Office, and Melissa Donoho has been sending out Judge Jay Hurley articles to newspaper editors and not minsking words in public...
JAABCAM MONDAY
Posted on June 07, 20101.) Jury selection in State v. Omar Loureiro Part Deux got underway today. That's Loureiro sitting next to attorney Mike Tenzer. He may look mild mannered, but he's already destroyed one judge, in addition to being accused of murder. The SAO isn't messing around this time, entrusting their #1 ace Brian Cavanagh to win in his usual honorable and stylish fashion; 2...
THURSDAY NOTES/LOE v. HAYWOOD
Posted on June 03, 2010Shades of Milian v. Terrell - check out what happened in Chicago recently: Cook Co. public defender charged with choking prosecutor. This is old hat stuff to Broward old timers, but interesting nonetheless. From the article: The prosecutor ?left the courtroom and was in the hallway when the public defender came up to him and resumed the argument...
15 APPLICANTS FOR GARDINER'S SEAT
Posted on June 02, 20101) Michael Robinson; 2) Maria M. Schneider; 3) Gerard S. Williams; 4) Samuel D. Lopez; 5) Melinda K. Brown; 6) Catherine M. Kozol; 7) John Phillips; 8) Steven W. Hyatt; 9) Kathleen S. Mager; 10) Alan D. Sackrin; 11) Jorge E. Hurtado; 12) Thomas A. Truex; 13) Nicholas Richard Lopane; 14) Lorena V...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on June 02, 2010"Definitely no deal" - that's how Ken Marvin, Director of Lawyer Regulation for The Florida Bar, put it when we asked him today whether a deal had been made regarding Gardiner's law license during the pendency of the JQC proceedings that led to her resignation...
MONDAY BONUS
Posted on June 01, 2010The Judge is A-OK - your humble author was trolling around Gardiner's former office last Friday, her last day as a judge. Gardiner was mostly MIA the last few weeks, of course, but we were still hoping to get lucky and click a farewell picture. Anything to defeat the anti-climatic ennui that has gripped the courthouse since Gardiner & Aleman slinked out of town...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on June 01, 2010The Cohens' respond - click here for Judge Dale Cohen's ANSWER TO NOTICE OF FORMAL CHARGES AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES, filed May 24th, and here for the strongly worded JQC'S REPLY TO AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES, filed May 28th. Finkelstein challenges Tobin- click here for Howard Finkelstein's reponse to Chief Judge Victor Tobin's recent letter throwing in the towel on the juvenile shackling issue...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on May 27, 2010Gardiner's last day is Friday! - The Sun Sentinel's Tonya Alanez has the scoop here, including the bit about Maria Diamond, Gardiner's JA, being left in the lurch. Diamond's employment ends June 30th, unless another JA slot is secured before then. Everyone's hopeful that Judge Peggy Gehl's replacement, likely to be named next week after interviews are concluded June 3rd in Tallahassee, will save Diamond from being yet another casualty left in Gardiner's wake, since she's widely regarded as an efficient and trusted colleague...
SAY NO TO GEHL
Posted on May 26, 2010What's up with Gehl? Public Defender Howard Finkelstein has authored a letter to Chief Judge Victor Tobin regarding recent statements by Judge Peggy Gehl. From the letter: Here is a summary of four incidents wherein Judge Gehl made racist comments ...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on May 26, 2010A couple more fun facts concerning the Kerly Alce trial - Alce lives in the Orlando area. He had no money for a hotel in Broward, meaning he had to travel three and a half hours north to sleep on Monday night, and drive straight back for the continuation of the trial at 10:00 AM Tuesday...
TUESDAY NOTES/MEET "MR. X"
Posted on May 25, 2010Kerly Alce and his family, dragged through hell ... "Try it and lose it" - one of the most despicable SAO episodes in recent memory ended Tuesday. In a county that has executed at least one innocent man, and wrongfully convicted and imprisoned untold numbers, it still ranks right up there, despite the not guilty verdicts...
MONDAY NOTES/THE BAR *IS* LOOKING AT GARDINER
Posted on May 24, 2010Jack does it again - "It has just come to my attention that there is in fact an open disciplinary file regarding this matter" (emphasis added). The preceding lingo is taken from a second Florida Bar letter written to Jack "The Equalizer" Thompson, concerning Gardiner...
THURSDAY BONUS
Posted on May 20, 2010All in the family (redux) - The Florida Elections Commission on Tuesday dismissed Mardi Levey Cohen's complaint against Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes. The case stemmed from the lawsuit filed by defeated candidate Pedro Dijols that temporarily forced Levey off the ballot in 2008...
JAABCAM/"NO JURISDICTION"
Posted on May 20, 20101.) Sign of the times. Gardiner's last week starts Monday ... ; 2.) Hugh's Cafe manager Victoria Pena with owner Hugh McCauley (Hugh's Catering); 3.) Sun Sentinel columnist Mike Mayo. This shot could have made the JAABCAM Hall of Fame, if corruption busting ASA Sheila Alu hadn't dodged the frame at the last second; 4...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on May 19, 2010She's outta there! - Brenda Shelton has left the Clerk's Office. She's looking for something in the legal assistant world, so drop her a line at shelbrenda@aol.com if you're hiring. $10,000 in chairs? - is it true? Did Court Administration really spend hundreds of dollars each on super flashy mesh, ergonomic desk chairs for the Staff Attorneys? Sure, the judicial whipping boys & girls deserve nicer everything than the judges they make look coherent, but come on, in these desperate times, couldn't they have gotten by with standard issue instead of close to twenty Cadillacs? It's our understanding that the Staff Attorneys didn't even ask for the chairs, leading us to wonder if there really is a fiscal crisis...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on May 18, 2010No, not another gratuitous titty picture (see below) Hey Broward Bar Association - where's our Welcome to the BCBA packet? And our membership cards for the Professionalism and other committees? It's been nearly two weeks since we joined ... "Unauthorized Physical Contact" - did you know that ASAs now have access to Department of Corrections' reports detailing Defendants' prior prison stays? Report cards, if you will, detailing fights, threats, the previously mentioned you know what, and any punishment received? It must get awful lonely in there ...
JAABLOG SHALL RETURN SHORTLY ...
Posted on May 17, 2010In the meantime, enjoy the Petitions For Writs/Request For Rule Nisi filed by Messrs Tenzer & Rosenbaum in State v. Loureiro. They're asking the Fourth DCA to intervene, in order to reverse Judge Lucy Chernow-Brown's refusal to allow discovery into the vast Gardiner/Scheinberg communications made public via the JQC's finding of probable cause, amongst other issues...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on May 17, 2010Frank Loconto Interviews - BECON-TV's Frank Loconto is producing professional interview spots for any judicial candidate who ponies up $175.00, in conjunction with the Broward Bar Association (yes, challengers can play too). Interestingly, we're told the notoriously camera shy Mike Satz will sit for some Loconto softballs at some point in the future too...
COURTHOUSE LOSS
Posted on May 12, 2010ASA Kim Anderson passed away last night after a brave fight with cancer. Kim quickly worked her way up from juvenile to the felony division, after embarking on a second career as a lawyer in 2004. Tough but fair, Kim even managed to handle homicide matters in a very short time...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on May 11, 2010Old news by now - but here are the resignation letters authored by Judges Frusciante, Lazarus & Gehl. What's in a name? - click here for the official name change document for county court candidate Jordan Howard Breslaw, formally making him Jordan Howard Jordan, back in 1991...
JAABWALK MONDAY
Posted on May 10, 2010Courtrooms checked in the old courthouse between 1:34 PM and 1:51 PM. No North Wing or Satellite courtrooms checked since they are not scheduled for demolition, despite the fact they would yield an even greater number of empty courtrooms. Again, this isn't about judges' work habits, since some were holding hearings in chambers...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on May 10, 2010Love, Lee Jay - click here for Judge Lee Seidman's letter to all his county court campaign contributors. By law, he has to notify them of his switch to circuit court Group 51, against Sandra Perlman, and refund a pro rata share if they choose not to support him in his new race...
FRIDAY NOTES
Posted on May 07, 2010JQC v. Dale Cohen Hearing Friday (open to public) - Cohen's Motion To Dismiss will be argued today at 2:00 PM. If you'd like to be a fly on the wall, dial 1-888-808-6959 a little before the start time, and punch in access code 1149597. The full agenda is here...
JACK COMES THROUGH
Posted on May 07, 2010One of JAABLOG'S oldest and dearest friends, Jack Thompson, has really come through. Sure, we've had our differences, but as far as crusaders are concerned, no one can question his undying tenacity in fighting for what he believes is right. He's even come after us on occasion, ultimately helping, in his own unique fashion, to define the boundaries of permissible speech, activities, and responsibilities of licensed attorneys in the blogosphere...
WEDNESDAY NOTES - LLORENTE QUITS!
Posted on May 05, 2010Heeres's Brian - Attorney Brian Simon has always seized the podium with a true advocate's zeal, and a comic's heart. He now has a professional outlet for his love of stand-up and comedy writing, courtesy of National Lampoon's Underground Comedy Club, Fort Lauderdale...
RIDE ALONG TUESDAY AT 10:00 PM
Posted on May 03, 2010Point Blank ... Carmel Cafiero Presents: Pisman & Hager in ... "Arrest & File" Tune in Tuesday at Ten on WSVN Channel 7; Also shown between 5:30 & 6:30 PM Wednesday THANKS MIKE! (JAABLOG will update shortly)
JAABCAM/SUNDAY NOTES
Posted on May 02, 20101.) H. Wayne Huizenga Friday, at his son's sentencing. A tough day for any father, no doubt compounded by the myriad of headaches that must accompany running an international business & charitable empire; 2.) Jim Kiick (R), running back with the undefeated '72 Dolphins, is still well protected by a front line consisting of Mike Rothschild (L) and Owen McNamee (C); 3...
PERLMAN v. SEIDMAN
Posted on April 30, 2010THE HONORABLE CIRCUIT JUDGE SANDRA PERLMAN (Eventually) GOD BLESS AMERICA (Good luck to Judge Cheryl Aleman in all her future endeavors) (The Governor's Press Office is not aware of an Aleman resignation as of 12:00 PM, meaning the only wild card left is whether Judge Lee Seidman stayed in the Lebow contest, or switched to the Perlman race since Aleman didn't file ...
FRY v. HOWES v. ROSNER
Posted on April 29, 2010John Fry is switching from county court Group 13 (Berkowitz v. Pratt), into Group 1. His qualifying should post later today. To view all the qualified county candidates, click here. To see the qualified circuit candidates thus far, click here. BBeat: Crist?s Independent Bid Hurts GOP Judicial Candidates
20 FOLLOWED BY TEN
Posted on April 29, 2010Judge Michael Gates sentenced Darryl Jackson to twenty years in prison today, followed by ten years of probation, on cocaine delivery charges. Jackson scored nearly five years at the bottom, with a three year minimum mandatory penalty. There was no offer from the SAO, forcing an open plea to Gates, since Jackson waived his right to trial...
THURSDAY NOTES/ENTIN WEIGHS IN
Posted on April 29, 2010Bo & Jerry's Law Day FRIDAY, followed by Schaet's coming out party - don't forget to attend the 31st Annual Law Day bash on the 30th, starting at 4:30 PM at 613 SE 1st Avenue, across from the courthouse. Candidate Steve Schaet is having a campaign kickoff fundraiser afterwards at Yolo (starting at 6:00 PM), with more free booze and food (political advertisement blah blah blah, pick up your own copy of the flyer if you want to make sure he has the proper lingo on it)...
NO SO FAST ...
Posted on April 28, 2010Buddy Nevins reports that Judge Lee Seidman has filed against Judge Susan Lebow. The article is here. The announcement, however, is premature. Seidman did, in fact, redesignate his county court filing to Lebow's race with Brenda Snipes' Office, but that was strictly for campaign account reasons...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on April 28, 2010All eyes on the Florida Bar - in re Howard Scheinberg. People curious as to whether soon to be Ex-Judge Ana Gardiner will have Bar problems are paying attention to Scheinberg's rumored reopened Bar case. Are there no Bar problems at all? Are similar deals in place for both of them? Or, is the worst yet to come? And are local grievance committees, with possible conflicts of interest, involved? Are Gardiner and Scheinberg being treated equally? ...
PARKER v. GILLESPIE
Posted on April 27, 2010Attorney Oliver Parker has filed agains Circuit Judge Ken Gillespie. The filing is here. Parker is a veteran Broward Republican politician and experienced campaigner. Time to rally for Gillespie, if you believe in good judges, and diversity on the Bench...
NOTHING YET ...
Posted on April 26, 2010The Governor's Press Office is double checking, but as of 11:00 AM they still were not in possession of a resignation letter from Judge Cheryl Aleman. We're told that the Governor would have had to have received and accepted a resignation by 12:00 PM today (the first day of qualifying week), in order to be able to appoint a successor...
JAABCAM
Posted on April 25, 20101.) Attorney Eugene Pettis on behalf of diversity on the Bench, at Friday's TJ Reddick Bar Association Press Conference; 2.) Judicial candidate Olga Levine has the Luzzites very concerned; 3.) Attorneys Michael Bloom, Jim Cobb, and GM Michael Robinson await their ten minutes before the JNC last week...
"YOU'RE A BIGOT!"
Posted on April 23, 2010I've got me under your skin - the New Courthouse Task Force met this afternoon, primarily about parking and elevator/escalator issues. Chief Judge Victor Tobin wasn't there, but we did spot him later heading into the meeting area some minutes after the meeting broke...
COURTING CONTROVERSY
Posted on April 23, 2010We just got back from the TJ Reddick Press Conference about the targeting of minority judges, and the total failure of the JNC appointment process to adequately represent our minority communities on the Bench. Just before the presentation began, we also got a call from one of our favorite (and most influential) local newsies, telling us that the publication was getting a ton of calls because of today's wild JAABLOG WELCOME photo...
BACKMAN OUT
Posted on April 23, 2010TO: Club Presidents, Democratic Leadership & Special friends FROM: Jeffrey Backman Announcement - Forwarded by Barbara Effman Since the beginning of my campaign last April, I have been honored and humbled by the outpouring of support from the entire community, both legal and non-legal...
GARDINER MAKES IT OFFICIAL
Posted on April 22, 2010(Sun Sentinel) Sorry, we were sworn to secrecy as to the particulars, but at least Judge Ana Gardiner gave the story to Buddy Nevins today: BBeat: Ana Gardiner Quits Bench; Gets Private Job Pulp: Bob Norman Always Gets His (Wo)man *Resignation Letter (pdf)* SS: Gardiner's Statement And now it gets really interesting ...
THURSDAY BONUS
Posted on April 22, 2010Diversity under attack - The TJ Reddick Bar Association is arranging a press conference at the Broward County Courthouse for tomorrow (Friday). Two issues are on the agenda 1) the failure of the JNC to send up any minority candidates to replace Judge Peggy Gehl, and 2) to raise awareness and support for minority judges being challenged in 2010...
STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT TOMORROW AT NOON
Posted on April 22, 2010UNDER ATTACK AND SHUT OUT: Minority Judges Not Wanted in Broward County Ft. Lauderdale, FL ? The T.J. Reddick Bar Association will host a press conference ?Minority Judges -- Not Wanted?? on Friday, April 23, 2010, 12:15 pm, in front of the Broward County Courthouse located at 201 SE 6th Street, Ft...
WEDNESDAY BONUS
Posted on April 21, 2010MEETING TONIGHT - the Broward Law Library Committee meets TONIGHT at 5:00 PM, in Chairperson Judge Mel Grossman's office, in Room 826 of the Broward Central Courthouse. We're sorry for the last minute notice, but this is one Sunshine Meeting that never seems to get much light via advertising (we've left word for Grossman to call us regarding how the meetings are publicized)...
WEDNESDAY NOTES - SAVE THE LAW LIBRARY!
Posted on April 21, 2010The Truth Shall Set You Free - we called the Florida Bar Ethics Hotline today to get some guidance on whether the same rules that restrict a lawyer's free speech rights when talking about sitting judges apply to former judges as well. The answer? A big fat "NO"...
JAABWALK
Posted on April 20, 2010Courtrooms checked in the old courthouse between 1:30 PM and 1:48 PM. No North Wing or Satellite courtrooms checked since they are not scheduled for demolition, despite the fact they would yield an even greater number of empty courtrooms. Again, this isn't about judges' work habits, since some were holding hearings in chambers (although some of the locked courtrooms' judges were seen wandering the halls just like us)...
SIX NAMES TO CRIST
Posted on April 20, 2010The following six names were sent to Governor Crist by the JNC to replace Judge Peggy Gehl: BRENDA Di IOIA JERRY WILLIAMS NICK LOPANE MINDY BROWN MICHELE RICCA JIM COBB MAY THE CANDIDATE BEST ABLE TO HELP CHARLIE CRIST BEAT RUBIO WIN
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on April 20, 2010Sheila Alu Day - by now everyone knows that disgraced former Sheriff Ken Jenne (Satz's chum) has lost his pension for good. Something like $135,000 a year for life, sacrificed for a lousy $150,000 in ill gotten gains (that we know about). Well, it got us thinking...
BRESLAW v. ROBINSON
Posted on April 19, 2010Attorney Jordan Howard Breslaw has filed for County Court Group 14, against Judge Mary Robinson. The filing is here. Here's a bit of info on Breslaw, by Bob Norman in 2006. WOULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN EASIER TO JUST GIVE THE PEOPLE WHO CARE A "SEAT AT THE TABLE"?
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on April 19, 2010Attention ASAs and APDs - free lunch courtesy of BACDL this Thursday at the 110 Tower. Judges and members get in free too. Click here for the flyer advertising the event, featuring speechifying by Chief Criminal Judge Marty Bidwill. We're told all the candidates will be there too, so it might be worth checking out for the dirty looks alone...
AL SCHREIBER WEIGHS IN
Posted on April 19, 2010BROWARD COUNTY CAMPAIGNS by Al Schreiber I regret to inform the voters and the lawyers in Broward County that I am not running for a judgeship. Also, I am not Alan Schneider, who just filed to run against incumbent Circuit Judge Elijah Williams. Thanks, nonetheless, for all the phone calls and support for my non-existent campaign...
SUNDAY NOTES
Posted on April 18, 2010Trial Stats through March - get your trial stats here, as released by the Clerk's Office on April 15th. The judges' year to date totals follow the March numbers. Keep in mind that judges get a trial credit for a case that pleads after a jury is sworn, if you're looking at the numbers with a critical eye...
SCHNEIDER vs. WILLIAMS
Posted on April 15, 2010Attorney Alan B Schneider has filed for circuit court, against Judge Elijah Williams. The filing is here. And there are still two weeks left until the April 30th filing deadline ... (Thanks to "Judge Williams has opposition")
MISS MANNERS SAYS ...
Posted on April 14, 2010Making a list, and checking it twice ? nasty anonymous comments are once again the topic du jour, dear readers. This time we?re told the SAO is up in arms, over a recent onslaught of baddies concerning ASAs involved in the Zolnoor Affair (imagine that), and the sliming of good girl Allison Kelliher in Spitgate...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on April 14, 2010A little law, for a change - click here for a Practice Advisory prepared by The Immigrant Defense Project, titled Duty of Criminal Defense Counsel Representing Immigrants After Padilla v. Kentucky (April 6, 2010). Everyone knows the INS isn't messing around these days, so give it a click to get up to speed...
JAABCAM
Posted on April 13, 20101.) Bo & Jerry present the thirty-first annual Law Day, on Friday, April 30th; 2.) That's Palm Beach macher Jack Fleischman, on a plane from California that stopped in Vegas to pick us up too (PD Alum Johnny Weekes was also spotted on The Strip during Easter break); 3...
LEVINE v. LUZZO
Posted on April 12, 2010We're told Olga Levine has switched from the Seidman county race, and will be filing against Judge Jack Luzzo. The filing should post here today or tomorrow. Also, click here for the JQC's Opposition To Motion To Dismiss, in re Judge Dale Cohen. Regarding JQC v...
HERE'S SPIT IN YOUR EYE
Posted on April 12, 2010Click here for the video from last week that everyone's been talking about. The incident happened in Judge Destry's courtroom, and it's no laughing matter. The ASA was hit square in the eye with a medium consistency goober, and she's been prescribed meds...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on April 08, 2010It's those pesky phone records again - Click here for a very interesting Motion To Reconsider, filed by Messrs. Tenzer & Rosenbaum, captains of the real Loueriro Express, which has been a crucial force behind Broward's most intriguing current JQC drama...
"Different cases; different facts; we don?t discuss pending cases."
Posted on April 07, 2010Lou Toman's famous photo of author Raag Singhal and a mentally incompetent Monster ... It was a typical response from the Broward State Attorney?s Office. They were asked to explain how two Coral Springs City Commissioners were formally charged with Sunshine Law Violations a mere twenty days after their alleged occurrence, while six fired Hollywood police personnel, whose actions were captured on videotape, remain uncharged...
JAABLOG IS A REFLECTION OF ITS COMMUNITY
Posted on April 06, 2010It?s not the Blog?s fault, but they can't admit it - The Broward County Bar Association's (BCBA) Professionalism Committee met yesterday. Of all the things we?ve heard, one thing?s for certain. The meeting was disorganized, and yes, unprofessional...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on April 06, 2010Place your bets! She's outta here! - congratulations to gutsy Daily Business Review reporter Jordana Mishory. She's off to greener pastures, covering the Pentagon with a focus on Congress and Defense Department issues for the prestigious Inside Washington Publishers...
JAABCAM: VEGAS EDITION
Posted on April 04, 20101.) Low price lawyer billboards dot the horizon, like this one near Chinatown ("Criminal $100.00 Down" - hey, they stole our business model!). Stylish billboards for the The Defenders, and $700.00 DUI's, are all over I-15 (not to mention The Poop Magician's residential dog doo removal services); 2...
WEDNESDAY BONUS
Posted on March 31, 2010"Broward is what?" Conciliatory sounds from Llorente? ? it seems like it, at least from his comments in Thursday's Sun Sentinel, and his brand new "President's Message" (note to our various selves: never, ever, tick off Eddie Dominguez). Still, we?re not sorry for calling the Broward County Bar Association (BCBA) "a toothless, sycophant organization for people in power"...
JAABCAM QUICKIE
Posted on March 31, 20101.) Shame on Broward! - a thirteen year old child being taken from court Wednesday via the public hallways, handcuffed behind the back, pursuant to BSO policy. The kid was bawling his eyes out ("Why do I have to go to jail?"), despite the genuinely kind and sympathetic efforts of two of Central's best deputies (come on Vic, sign the damn administrative order already, please?); 2...
MOTION DENIED!
Posted on March 30, 2010Judge Ana Gardiner's Motion To Dismiss was denied a few minutes ago.We accessed the telephonic hearing, which anyone can do. Next time we'll post the info in advance.David Bogenschutz argued that he's concerned for future JQC panels, as the ability of the JQC Chair to "manipulate" the makeup of the panel makes for an "intolerable" and unfair situation for a sitting judge to have to deal with...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on March 30, 2010Gehl interviews will be held April 19th - eighteen of the twenty-five applicants will be interviewed (open to the public - come join us for the fidgeting and stock answers). The following five applicants were cut: Woody Robert Clermont, Ray (Ramesh) Gudur, Ira S...
Applicants for County Seat of Retiring Judge Gehl
Posted on March 29, 20101) Woody Robert Clermont2) Brenda Di IOIA3) Gerard S. Williams4) Ray (Ramesh) Gudur5) Roshawn Banks6) James Abernethy Cobb, Jr.7) Ira S. Bergman8) Michael Scott Bloom9) Mari S. Blumstein10) Michele McCaul Ricca11) Stacey Schulman12) Thomas A...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on March 29, 2010"You like me, right now, you like me!"Is the end nigh? - the JQC is wasting no time. Click here for their response to Ana Gardiner's Motion To Dismiss. In short, the JQC seems highly dismissive of David Bogenschutz's technical argument...
JAABCAM/NEW COURTHOUSE UPDATE
Posted on March 28, 20101.) Surreal Meal - two Jim DeFedes, within earshot of 2.) Judges Peter Weinstein and Victor Tobin, prior to the New Courthouse Task Force meeting Friday (Lester's Diner); 3.) County court candidate/former police officer/U.S. Marine John Fry has so much law enforcement support behind him, 4...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on March 25, 2010FUNDRAI$ER - friends and enemies across the land are mad because we haven't been advertising fundraisers, of which there are a lot. Be patient, coming into the season we'll try to aggregate them every so often and put them out there. Even incumbents we don't like, absolutely everyone that wants it will have all their campaign stuff put out there on a periodic, bulk basis...
JAABLOG SUGGESTION BOX: SATELLITE COURTHOUSES
Posted on March 25, 2010Satellite's gone, up to the skies ...Administrative Chief County Judge Sharon Zeller has requested a list of suggestions as to how to standardize and improve practices at the satellite courthouses.Here's a great chance for the Broward legal community to weigh in and be heard on a situation that has become quite unmanageable for busy lawyers...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on March 24, 2010What's going on at the satellites? - lots of time a whole lot of nothing, as far as we can tell. Tuesday morning featured a rare first stop at the North Satellite Courthouse, for an 8:30 hearing. A circuit trial call in Central at 9:00 followed, and a couple of 10:00s in Hollywood after that...
GARDINER'S MOTION TO DISMISS
Posted on March 23, 2010INQUIRY CONCERNING JUDGE(And David Bogenschutz is the lawyer)"The Chair, who presides of the investigative panel, or some other member of the Commission, unilaterally and without apparent authority, disqualified Commission members Russell, Judge Backman and Judge Gehl...
SUNDAY NOTES
Posted on March 21, 2010The never-ending parade ...JUVY'S Still Shackled - it's been way more than the sixty days Chief Judge Victor Tobin promised it would take for his Administrative Order banning the parading of shackled juvenile and adult offenders throughout the central courthouse...
JAABCAM
Posted on March 21, 20101.) Phyllis Pritcher and the legendary Bill Laswell; 2.) ASAs Janine Rice and Sasha Shulman, with Janine's daughter Aylie, at the St. Patrick's Day Parade; 3.) Tesla Roadster, all electric -125 MPH max, 240 mile range (at normal speeds), $109,000.00 before $7,500...
COURTHOUSE LOSS
Posted on March 19, 2010Attorney James O. Walker passed away early this morning.Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.Anyone will tell you that James was a kindly gentleman, and a wonderful man. He will be missed by all.
"CARLOS LLORENTE IS NOT EDDIE KAY'S BOY" ...
Posted on March 19, 2010JAABLOG'S ONCE UPON A TIME: CARLOS LLORENTE IS THE LOSER EDITION (1996)"Carlos Llorente is not Eddie Kay's boy," Llorente says. "I believe I have the experience and qualities to be judge." ...Llorente, 35, said his four years' experience as a Broward County traffic court magistrate separates him from Sabghir and Gold, as well as his four-year term as a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission in Broward ...
ROSNER v. BACKMAN v. HOWES
Posted on March 17, 2010Attorney Jason Rosner has filed for Judge Joel Lazarus' county seat.Click here for the filing.*UPDATE* - Steve Schaet has switched races. He's out of the Seidman cluster, and into Group 20, against Ken Gottlieb. Click here for the filing...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on March 17, 2010"You give me an issue, I'll give you a tissue and you can wipe my ... "Who will replace Laz? - rumors all over the place, and, as far as we know, the decision may have already been made as to which judge will become the new head of county criminal courts...
MONDAY BONUS
Posted on March 15, 2010Rocque out, but Luzzo will still have to earn it ... Attorney Mickey Rocque is dropping out of the race for the circuit seat currently occupied by Judge Jack Luzzo. According to Kevin Kulik, however, another candidate will replace Rocque, possibly by the end of the day...
JAABCAM: POT O' GOLD EDITION
Posted on March 14, 2010The Las Olas St. Patrick's Day Parade happened Saturday. It was crawling with judges, some who haven't yet been challenged in 2010, and others who aren't even up this year. Interestingly, no challengers were seen in the parade (were they shut out?)...
SORRY CARLOS & JACK - TRY PLAN "B"
Posted on March 12, 2010Great minds apparently think alike, but Carlos Llorente & Jack Thompson will have to proceed on a different theory if they're thinking of involving the Florida Bar about holding JAABLOG liable for any of the comments.Click here for the Florida Bar's letter to Jack dismissing his catch-all bar complaints (and ad nauseum amendments) regarding aiding and abetting, etc...
WHO IS CARLOS LLORENTE?
Posted on March 11, 2010Broward County Bar Association President Carlos Llorente won't call us back ...*UPDATE* - DBR: Broward Bar considers conduct of JAABlogAll we know:-He doesn't practice criminal law (apparently, he's an insurance defense lawyer).-He wants a new courthouse...
COUP IN THE WORKS?
Posted on March 10, 2010Strong buzz all day about a group of judges requesting a judges' meeting. They reportedly want an up or down vote on Chief Judge Tobin's leadership.The rumor also made it onto JAABLOG as a comment by "Confidence Vote". Here's the text:Confidence Vote wrote:A majority of judges have requested a full Judges meeting for Friday and are requesting a (no) confidence vote be taken regarding Chief Judge TobinWe called Tobin's office a few minutes ago...
TOBIN v. JAABLOG?
Posted on March 10, 2010Buzz buzz buzz .... Tobin's anti-JAABLOG Sun-Sentinel rant has thus far resulted in 1.) a call from the ADL yesterday, 2.) a call from an old Jewish man who greeted us with "Listen, I didn't kill Jesus Christ" (it's all good, by the end of the conversation he had a much better appreciation of racism in Broward's criminal justice system), and 3...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on March 10, 2010Still a few judges without challengers in 2010 - from the list:County: Joel Lazarus, Peter Skolnik, Gisele Pollack, Gary Cowart, John Hurley, Linda Pratt, Mary Robinson, Steven Shutter, Eric Beller, Kathleen Ireland, Martin Dishowitz, Lisa Trachman, Lee Seidman, Edward Merrigan...
HOLMES OUT; BIDWILL IN?
Posted on March 09, 2010We're hearing Judge Holmes has resigned her position as Chief Administrative Judge of criminal. Judge Bidwill is rumored to have been tapped to replace her.The reason may be "creative differences" with CJ Tobin. Developing ...
HELP ON THE WAY!
Posted on March 09, 2010Chief Judge Victor Tobin's comments in the Sun Sentinel today about JAABLOG are paying dividends.We got off the phone a few minutes ago with Attorney Andy Rosenkranz, Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League. He called after reading the article, out of concern regarding the racist comments on JAABLOG...
GARDINER IN THE HOUSE
Posted on March 08, 2010Judge Ana Gardiner is in her office, as this is being written. Her JA, Maria Diamond, told us she is in fact working (we're not sure whether it's on a defense, or judicial business). Diamond also told us Gardiner is not resigning. Gardiner's office and hearing room doors were shut tight...
JAABCAM
Posted on March 08, 20101.) & 2.) Co-workers will never mistakenly grab your brown bag lunch out of the break room fridge again, with impressive name tags like these attached; 3.) Former ASA Scott Janowitz in the house; 4.) Attorneys Terrence Moons, Kevin Kulik, and Eddie Kay (Terry is guilty by association); 5...
THE BUZZ ...
Posted on March 05, 2010Dribs and drabs have been coming in all day from different sources .... apparently, we stress apparently (since this is all rumor), Gardiner was originally offered a deal of a Public Reprimand and a $50,000.00 fine, pending Supreme Court approval. Before the deal was consummated, however, something happened...
4 WAY!
Posted on March 05, 2010Attorney Steve Schaet is filing for county court judge, challenging incumbent Judge Lee Seidman. The race now becomes a four way, with Schaet joining previously announced challengers Nate Klitsberg and Jahra McLawrence. The filing info should post today or Monday...
BANNED!
Posted on March 04, 2010Into the mud, scum queen! (at 6:00 minute mark)"I'll get you for this, you nigger kike wop ... " - no, that's not a snippet from some of the recent racist comments on JAABLOG. It's a satirical line taken from Steve Martin's "The Man With Two Brains" (link above)...
REBOLLO v. NICHOLS
Posted on March 03, 2010Attorney Robert Gary Nichols has filed against Circuit Judge Carlos Rebollo.Rebollo is another Crist appointee, well respected after a long stint in the SAO and a couple of years in Dependency.He is, of course, Hispanic. Let's hope this isn't more racial targeting, although, on its face, it reeks of it...
JQC v. GARDINER
Posted on March 03, 2010*2ND UPDATE* - rumors about a swift resignation may be false. We're told Gardiner may be fighting the charges, and that a response has been or will be filed shortly. Check here tomorrow for confirmation.*UPDATE* - we asked Gardiner's JA Maria Diamond if Gardiner is resigning at 12:05 PM today (lots of rumors floating around)...
TUESDAY BONUS
Posted on March 02, 2010Roto-Rooter - will lightning strike our humble abode twice in less than a week? That's the whisper. Could this be what everyone's been waiting for? Stay tuned ...From Attorney Steve Schaet - "I am writing to inquire whether other Broward County Attorneys have had or are in a similar situation that I have right now...
SUNDAY NOTES
Posted on February 28, 2010"SATZ SOFT ON CORRUPTION" - that's the logo being emblazoned on a sign we've ordered from Kinko's, after being inspired by one Jordan Michael Seitz (AKA Lyrikill.com). It turns out Seitz is one heck of a 1st Amendment genius, who has been torturing our local courthouse tv journos for quite some time...
JAABCAM
Posted on February 26, 20101.) Congratulations! APD Christine Robbins says goodbye today. Drop by Tarpon Bend at Happy Hour to wish her luck in the civil sector (ASA Matt Margolis received great news too recently - no word yet where his party will be held); 2.) Why is Ani smiling? Because she no longer practices law, that's why...
JQC v. DALE COHEN
Posted on February 25, 2010The JQC has filed charges against Judge Dale Cohen.Click here for the Notice of Formal Charges.Click here for the transcript of the hearing between attorney Steve Melnick and Cohen that led to the charges, posted on JAABLOG back in August ("On a lighter note")...
JOE KOLLIN ON THE GRAND JURY
Posted on February 25, 2010JAABLOG has been bringing you the best in fake journalism over the last few years. Tonight we are departing from the proven formula, by featuring some real journalism for a change. The following piece is an updated and greatly expanded original article by Joe Kollin, twenty-eight year veteran of the Sun-Sentinel, originally excerpted by the Daily Pulp back in April of last year...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on February 24, 2010Smart Justice: Recommendations for Florida Criminal justice Reform - click here for the Collins Center For Public Policy's February 2010 report. The report is a MUST READ for anyone who actually cares, so please take the time after gorging on today's gossip and snark...
SUNDAY NOTES
Posted on February 21, 2010Clouds in the coffee and lawyers in The Juice? - uh oh. Rumor has it The Juice blog may be sued over this post and this one too. We're told a request for retraction may be en route, after which a lawsuit may follow. Apparently, some pretty powerful feathers have been ruffled, over what people close to the parties swear are false accusations...
THURSDAY BONUS
Posted on February 18, 2010Attention judges: "Diane and Dwight's Tree Service" is back in business - Judge Dale Cohen released Elizabeth Parker on her own recognizance this morning. The VOP warrant was apparently not credible enough to justify continued detention...
NEW COURTHOUSE BLUES
Posted on February 17, 2010Dear Diary - today we met with the former Mayor of Broward County, Commissioner Stacy Ritter. She was very gracious. We didn't bother asking too many silly questions about the new courthouse project, since a chance to beg for money for drug programs from one of the people who can make it happen doesn't roll around every day...
JAABCAM
Posted on February 16, 20101.) Wrongful conviction recovery lawyer David Comras, Mr. Leroy McGee, and post-conviction relief lawyer Mike Wrubel, at today's press conference; 2.) So long, Moxie. Judge Lerner-Wren's long time deputy is retiring at the end of the month. Well wishers are invited to a "Bon Voyage Breakfast For Moxie" on February 26th, from 8:00 to 10:00 AM, in Room 510...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on February 15, 2010BACDL is mixing it up - BACDL's Board of Directors has been engaging in some spirited discussion of late, mostly tied to individual feelings as to which direction to go next regarding Bradygate (some of it even spilled over to JAABLOG). They're still finishing their response letter to the SAO, following the meeting they had with Satz, Morton, et al, some time ago...
RODRIGUEZ v. GOLDSTEIN
Posted on February 11, 2010Department of Homeland Security - ICE Attorney Frieda Goldstein, admitted in 2000, has filed to run for circuit court, against Judge Carlos Rodriguez.A good Hispanic judge, being targeted by a Jewish female. It stinks.On the bright side, at least lawyers from outside the courthouse bubble are, as predicted, starting to jump in the races...
STAMP OUT ANARCHY!
Posted on February 09, 2010"Whoever denies authority and fights against it is an anarchist," said Sébastien Faure.Well, regarding judicial elections in Florida, there is no higher authority than the Florida Constitution. The Constitution, of course, provides for fair and open elections of county and circuit court judges...
BERNSTEIN v. HAURY
Posted on February 08, 2010Attorney Alan Bernstein has filed to run against Circuit Judge William Haury. The paperwork should post on the Florida Division of Elections' website tomorrow.What can be said about this one? Haury is a fair man, and the consummate gentleman...
LEBOW v. ROSSMAN TRANSCRIPT
Posted on February 08, 2010The Seventeenth - click here for February's SAO Online Newsletter. This month's highlight: the SAO is joining the PD's Office in a "wear blue jeans to work for Haiti relief" day. No, not this Thursday, as Judge Holmes has approved, but Monday, February 15th...
JAABCAM
Posted on February 07, 20101.) Ari Porth, Dan Gelber, Mike Satz, Mike McAuliffe (PB SA), Dennis Ward (Keys SA), and some other guy at last Friday's press conference. The event was sparsely attended, and mostly forced off the news by the BSO Beatdown video. Miami SA Katherine Fernandez Rundle wasn't at the lip service fest, since she was all over TV the same day due to her office actually filing public corruption charges (in connection with a sting operation under the perfectly good existing laws)...
ROCQUE v. LUZZO
Posted on February 05, 2010Mickey Rocque is running for Circuit Court, against Judge Luzzo.Many people have been looking forward to this one.The paperwork should hit the Division of Elections' website on Monday.As far as County Court is concerned, another veteran practitioner is set to announce shortly...
GET YOUR TIVO'S RUNNIN' TONIGHT AT TEN
Posted on February 04, 2010WSVN Channel 7, Thursday at ten.We're told they'll be debuting a BSO sponsored beatdown, handily captured by a surveillance camera. BSO is reportedly up in arms, so if it doesn't run, now you know why.This one's supposed to make the Hollywood Disney liars look like choir boys, and all on the eve of "Iron Mike's" big press conference/reelection campaign kickoff too (timing is everything, Mike)...
WAITING ...
Posted on February 04, 2010You can make the call ... when the transcript arrives. We're told our favorite newsie is waiting on the transcript from the Lebow/Rossman fiasco. Absolutely everyone is talking about this one, but, unfortunately, no press was present for the melt down...
UPDATE: "I know where you live"
Posted on February 04, 2010Elizabeth Parker Judges everywhere can breath a sigh of relief, although some of them have to look for a new lawn service.Apparently, the Parkers have been up to further hijinks since our original report, resulting in a warrant violating Mrs. Parker's probation...
Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me ...
Posted on February 02, 2010Politics 101 - by now it's old news that a new courthouse will be built. It's not surprising, but it's official. After the sham Courthouse Task Force (refurbish? yeah, right) and Chief Judge Tobin's ham-fisted PR campaign (see here and here), the majority of the County Commissioners simply chanted their scripted "depressed land values" and "public safety" mantras, until the voters were cheated out of the right to determine how their $328 million will be spent...
SURPRISE, SURPRISE!
Posted on February 02, 2010The County Commission is building you a new courthouse!Just a few minutes ago they approved a new $328 million structure with NON-VOTED DEBT, by a 6-3 vote. Your property taxes are going up, ladies and gentlemen!This one appeared to be a very close vote up to the last Commissioner's speech, Commissioner Wasserman-Rubin...
JAABCAM BONUS: ROBING CEREMONY
Posted on January 29, 20101.) FLPD Chief Frank Adderley thinks it's Bob Norman behind the camera. After 2.) Judy Stern told him it was only JAABLOG, he was nice enough to come over and chat for awhile. Like everyone says, he's a very gregarious guy. Who knows? He probably would have given us his cellphone number, if we'd asked; 3...
BUSTED!
Posted on January 28, 2010Judge Towbin-Singer ruled today in Robert Ray Huizenga's VOP case, finding Huizenga willfully and substantially violated his probation by committing felony BUI and consuming alcohol. He was on probation for a 2003 felony DUI, a classic SAO giveaway, since he wasn't charged with DUI Bodily Injury (which would have scored out to Florida State Prison), after nearly killing a seventy-one year old man...
JAABCAM
Posted on January 28, 20101.) This is a human being Mr. Satz, not a case number. Anthony Caravella in court Monday, still wearing an electronic monitor; 2.) Judge Debra Steinsaltz will definitely not disappoint; 3.) Judge Carlos Rodriguez, sans robe; 4.) Did you know that ASA Dave Frankel and Judge Perlman grew up together in North Miami Beach? And is Cheryl Aleman laying low until April 30th?; 5...
BERKOWITZ MAKES IT A 3 WAY; MRS. SEIDMAN v. PORTER
Posted on January 27, 2010Heidi Berkowitz has filed to run against John Fry and Judge Linda Pratt for county court.Laura Seidman has filed against Judge Lisa Porter for circuit court.Another APD is rumored to be making up her mind soon too ...
STEINSALTZ v. SKOLNIK
Posted on January 27, 2010APD Debra Steinsaltz is running against Judge Peter Skolnik, for county court. The papers were filed this afternoon. OUT WITH THE OLD!
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on January 26, 2010No trial tax here ... Destry imposing sentenceDeeeep discounts at Macy's (for a limited time only) - ASA Martina Herretes won a guilty verdict today before Judge Destry. Defendant Karelia Rodrigueztorres got caught sponsoring her own clearance sales at Macy's, in her former capacity as a sales clerk...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on January 25, 2010Is another judge's wife getting ready to run? - that's the big buzz, and we're not talking about Judge Dale Cohen's better half either, currently squared off against another judge's son. We're also told yet another veteran defense attorney should be making an announcement any day now...
JAABCAM: COURTHOUSE TASK FORCE MEETING
Posted on January 24, 20101.) Broward Mayor/Big Spender Ken Keechl with Clerk of Courts Howard Forman. The New Courthouse Task Force met Friday afternoon, to block the wheels of progress by continuing to gut social and rehabilitation projects in favor of an unnecessary seventeen story courthouse tower, to be built where the judicial parking lot currently sits (and they call themselves Democrats)...
LOW BIDDER, ESQUIRE REPORTS
Posted on January 23, 2010Hanging in the Levine home soon?So, spent about 5 hours today at the Scott Rothstein bankruptcy auction. Hundreds of folks showed up and it looked like people from most walks of life. While there were at least 300 people at the auction, I wonder how many were actually real buyers...
GOLBURGH v. MERRIGAN
Posted on January 22, 2010Attorney Lloyd Golburgh has filed to run for County Court, Group 4, against Judge Ed Merrigan. The Supervisor of Elections website should update Monday.This one will be interesting to watch. Merrigan is an active duty soldier and a nice guy, but also a highly political JNC/Crist pick, since he's related to either Mayor Seiler or the JNC's Richard Zaden by marriage (we'll try to confirm which one later)...
FRIDAY NOTES
Posted on January 21, 2010Has there ever been a bad police shooting in Broward County? - apparently not, at least as far as anyone can remember. There are, however, concerns over the use of the top secret Grand Jury. Take, for instance, the tragic case of seventeen year old Jonathan Fontanez ...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on January 20, 2010Class? Class? Shudd Up! - Judge Richards is getting poor reviews for reportedly telling lawyers to "Shut Up!" today in class, er, court. Apparently, the noise level in misdemeanor domestic violence court is stressing out the Judge, causing his frustration level to nearly equal that of the alleged victims who can't get the SAO to honor their wishes and stop prosecuting their loved ones...
MONDAY BRADY
Posted on January 18, 2010Satz just don't understand - State v. Larnell Pinson has still not been dropped by the SAO. The case of the deaf woman charged with felony Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer is set for calendar call on February 25th. Ms. Pinson has to continue living with this horrible matter hanging over her head for at least another month, despite recent news that her accuser, Sunrise Officer Jorge Baca, is under investigation for brutality in the Ewan Rose matter...
HOWES MAKES IT A 3 WAY; HURLEY NEXT?
Posted on January 15, 2010John Howes filed today for Group 1, County Court. He's running against Mardi Levey Cohen & Jeffrey Backman for the open seat.Melissa Minsk Donoho has also apparently told people she's filed to run against Judge Jay Hurley...
FRIDAY BONUS
Posted on January 15, 2010"I know where you live" - Judge Imperato testified this morning before Judge Holmes in the strange case of State v. Dwight Parker. The hearing is still going on before Holmes, as this is being written.Parker was tried and convicted before Imperato, and is trying to get a new trial...
JAABWALK: NEW COURTHOUSE PLOY EDITION
Posted on January 14, 2010The Doctor is INToday's JAABWALK is sponsored by Broward's new, cutting edge 5th Floor Hallway Foreclosure Court and Chief Judge Tobin's recent revelations regarding shackled prisoners. Obviously, the courtrooms are still being woefully mismanaged, even after allowing for the fact that judges don't like to share, or display any flexibility when it comes to their personal fiefdoms...
SATZ'S BIG BLUNDER/BACDL STEPS UP
Posted on January 14, 2010Mike Satz is reeling. Don't believe us?Just take a look at the letter he sent yesterday, in response to the Public Defender's Brady Bomb.It's ridiculous. Insulting, really. Still, you have to give credit where credit is due. Satz is a master politician...
WHAT'S REALLY OFFENSIVE, PART II
Posted on January 14, 2010JAABLOG SOS - no offense to our space restricted friends at the Sun Sentinel, but we desperately need a Bob Norman or Dan Christensen to put this Brady mess into perspective for the voting public. If you build it they will come. Americans are all about fair play, just the same as they're extremely gullible and susceptible to political double speak at the other end of the spectrum...
DEAR MR. SATZ ...
Posted on January 13, 2010Recent events have caused ... great concern about the Broward State Attorney's Office's compliance with its discovery obligations. As you are aware, the Public Defender's Office has fied several public records requests with your office. These requests were prompted by a partial Brady disclosure followed by a disclosure of close-out memoranda received from the State Attorney's Offce...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on January 13, 2010Haiti Relief 629 SE 5th Ave (across from the courthouse garage) - Attorney Steve Melnick wants everyone to know that his office is a Haiti earthquake relief drop-off center. Leave anything you can that might help, like medical supplies and clothes...
JAKOVICH vs. DESTRY
Posted on January 12, 2010Jakovich DestryAssistant Public Defender Rob Jakovich is running for Circuit Judge Group 15, against incumbent Matt Destry...
WTF WEDNESDAY
Posted on January 12, 2010How many good judges will Satz drag down? - that's the $6,640,000.00 question*. Answer: Who cares! As far as we're concerned, the question is moot. Satz shouldn't be allowed to sneak off to Colorado or North Carolina like Dan Futch and other cronies have...
FRY vs. PRATT
Posted on January 11, 2010Attorney, U.S. Marine, and former police officer John Fry made it official today.He's running for County Court Group 13, vs. Judge Linda Pratt.Click here for the filing.MAY THE BEST MAN WIN THANKS MIKE!
MEET JUDGE USAN
Posted on January 11, 2010Governor Crist has appointed Michael Usan to the 17th Circuit Judiciary.Congratulations to all the finalists, especially Mike's law school friend Raag Singhal (Wake Forest '87 & '89).Bulldog: Traffic ticket, screw-ups land Broward grandma in jail for 15 daysFinkelstein Gets Criticism From Blog(Hey Buddy - where's the love? Your non-journalist friends at JAABLOG have broken a ton more stories than BrowardBeat ...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on January 11, 2010"Doing the Elbow" - we spent a few minutes at IC University this morning, killing time before the "All Rise" with our first stop's in-custody defendants. Prison/Jail Slang 101 was the topic. Here's what we learned (pop quiz tomorrow, so pay attention):If you're doing life, you got "the Elbow", which can also be signified by holding your bent arm out at ear level, chicken wing fashion...
WHAT'S REALLY OFFENSIVE ...
Posted on January 10, 20101st Day Of School - make sure to bring an apple for your new teachers Monday. Most of the changes contained in this Administrative Order go into effect today. New Judge Coming - expect an announcement soon regarding the circuit court seat being vacated by Judge Vitale...
TOBIN DRAWS A LINE IN THE SAND
Posted on January 08, 2010Chief Judge Victor Tobin is done messing around with shackling issues. Spurred on by the recent Supreme Court Order banning the wholesale shackling of juveniles in court, he's decreed that an administrative order will shortly go into effect banning the parading of shackled juveniles in public sectors of the courthouse...
JAABCAM
Posted on January 07, 20101.) Dead Man Sitting - that's Ralston "Jay" Davis today, with his attorneys Jeff Harris (former FACDL prez) and Chris Pole (whose name is currently before the Governor to replace Judge Vitale - the decision will come down on or before January 12th); 2...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on January 07, 2010Two major Rumors making the rounds today - rumors with a capital "R", both great news (if accurate): First, an additional accomplice or two in the murder of Richard Entriken may be in custody. The only charged suspect thus far, Kino Bartholomew, had court today, which may explain the buzz...
NORTH SATELLITE CLOSED
Posted on January 06, 2010We just got a call that the North Satellite is closed due to flooding, possibly caused by a burst pipe. If you have a hearing, it will be reset, we're told.UPDATE: DBR Confirms:"Broward County?s North Regional Courthouse in Deerfield Beach is closed today due to a broken water line that cut the building?s water supply...
WEDNESDAY NOTES: MEET BETSY & BOBBY BOODLE
Posted on January 06, 2010"Don't Touch Me There"Where to start?Skolnik dancing the night away, but prunes for Pratt - Judge Peter Skolnik is safe (for now), since his rumored opponent has apparently decided to try and pick off Judge Pratt instead. This secret isn't so secret, but we still can't name names...
2009 JAABLOG PERSON OF THE YEAR
Posted on January 03, 2010Ooops - by now, everyone's seen The Daily Pulp's piece on Judge Hurley's wedding, which also took the good Judge to task for slamming cocky Defendant Brian Noval with a four month contempt of court sentence. Well, it turns out we could have saved two of our favorite FOB's (friends of the Blog) a bit of embarrassment, if we hadn't been so lazy...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on December 22, 2009Read the first chapter of The Wrong ManJAABLOG HOLIDAY READ - pick up a copy of "The Wrong Man" if you have extra time on your hands. It's a real page turner, all about the SAO's rancid prosecution of innocent man John Purvis. Purvis, mentally handicapped, was browbeaten into confessing to the murder of Susan Hamwi and her infant daughter, on lovely Poinsettia Drive* in Fort Lauderdale...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on December 21, 2009No resignations pending - the Governor's press office told us today they are not in possession of any judicial resignations from the Seventeenth Circuit. So, will there be a trial, a drawn out negotiation followed by a resignation, or will the JQC characteristically back off? Whatever happens, it's definitely something to look forward to in 2010 ...
JAABCAM
Posted on December 21, 20091.) Federal Inmate #77252-004, aka former Hollywood Police Officer Thomas Simcox. He got an all expenses paid trip back to Broward a couple of weeks ago, to perpetuate testimony in a sexual battery case before Judge Siegel; 2.) Attorney Larry Davis explains the next step to friends and family of Teah Wimberly, after the verdict; 3...
NO MORE SHACKLES FOR JUVENILES
Posted on December 17, 2009Florida takes another step out of the dark ages today courtesy of the Supreme Court's ruling IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES OF JUVENILE PROCEDURE.Here's the relevant lingo:"We find the indiscriminate shackling of children in Florida courtrooms as described in the NJDC's Assessment repugnant, degrading, humiliating, and contrary to the stated primary purposes of the juvenile justice system and to the principles of therapeutic justice, a concept which this Court has previously acknowledged...
DEFEDE GETS THE GOODS ON ADDERLEY
Posted on December 15, 2009CBS 4Rothstein Air: Do Cops Fly Free?"But the revelation that three of Broward County's most powerful lawmen flew with Rothstein to a football game is further evidence of Rothstein's cozy relationship with both the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and the Broward Sheriff's Office...
DRINKS ON THE HOUSE?
Posted on December 11, 2009A source just told JAABLOG that the occupants of the Bentley had indeed been at lunch at Bova Restaurant earlier in the day before the crash. Drinks were consumed, again according to the source.The source said Adderley was not there, but Rothstein was...
IT'S ON: O'CONNOR vs. SOKOLOFF
Posted on December 11, 2009Rhoda Sokoloff has switched races. After being forced out of the race for Judge Vitale's open seat by Vitale's early retirement, and after filing against Judge Carlos Rodriguez last Monday, she's now decided once and for all to oppose Judge Eileen O'Connor's reelection bid...
GRANTED!
Posted on December 10, 2009Judge John Murphy wasted no time getting back to his other cases after the Teah Wimberly verdict.Today, he GRANTED Gary Ostrow's Motion to Suppress en toto. Click here for the good Judge's Order.Amazing work by Ostrow, and a sound decision by Murphy calling out some wildly out of control cops...
GUILTY AS CHARGED
Posted on December 09, 2009Teah Wimberly verdict - guilty as charged on all counts. Sentencing sometime in January.
PAGING DR. DONNELLY, DR. SCHULSON, DR. CAMACHO
Posted on December 09, 2009Today, courtesy of The Ticket Clinic's Larry Meltzer, Ted Hollander, and Mark Gold, JAABLOG presents the strange case of Danielle Filler. It's quite a yarn, just like The Ticket Clinic's last bit of major media, the infamous caught lying on videotape DUI cops...
MEET JUDGE HAIMES
Posted on December 08, 2009Singhal and Usan still hanging at 4:55 pm ... will update if second appointment is made ...
RODRIGUEZ v. SOKOLOFF
Posted on December 08, 2009Attorney Rhoda Sokoloff, admitted to the Florida Bar in 2000, is running against Circuit Court Judge Carlos Rodriguez. She submitted her paperwork yesterday. Sokoloff had previously filed for an open Circuit seat against Rob Jakovich. That seat is no longer available, due to the retirement of Judge Vitale...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on December 07, 2009Is the JQC coming to Broward? - from the completely unconfirmed rumor department comes the following chatter: the JQC may have reopened an investigation into the Loureiro mess. After a speculative "all clear" call many months ago, Loureiro may have risen from the dead...
JAABCAM: BSO CRIME LAB
Posted on December 06, 20091.) Dr. Jim Ongley, MD & JD, Lab Manager of the BSO Regional Crime Lab (his wife is dentist Dr. Linda Ongley, familiar to many courthouse and Plantation families). The 30,000 square foot facility houses a fully functional crime lab and crime scene unit, which is overseen by BSO Captain Fernando Gajate...
IS THE STATEWIDE GRAND JURY FOR REAL?
Posted on December 03, 2009The Statewide Grand Jury - is it a joke? That was the consensus today around the courthouse, although Broward lawyers are probably a lot more cynical about this kind of stuff than most. Can you blame us?In any event, there are more questions than answers at this point...
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH JUDGE GARDINER?
Posted on December 03, 2009BOB NORMAN'S DAILY PULPRussell Adler Sighting at the Courthouse "-- In other sightings, prominent defense attorney David Bogenschutz and Broward Circuit Judge Ana Gardiner were spotted dining together Monday night at Sweet Tomatoes restaurant on Andrews Avenue...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on December 02, 2009Attention Rumpole, you made the SAO's Newsletter - click here for the December edition of "The Seventeenth" (now scanned in color!). Rumpole is featured on page 3, due to his excellent coverage of the SAO's successful county-crossing prosecution of former Miami-Dade Judge Phil Davis...
JAABLOG'S ONCE UPON A TIME: ROC COURT*
Posted on December 01, 2009Courting plan on repeat offendersNo more Mr. Nice Guy for worst of the bad guys, county saysby Henry Fitzgerald Jr. Saturday, November 30, 1996Copyright South Florida Sun-SentinelStarting on Monday, the worst of the bad and incorrigible will be singled out for a little closer attention...
TO MR. SATZ, MR. MIKOS, MR. DEGROOT, ET AL
Posted on November 30, 2009You Are Forgiven** - Stolen Time - An Evening With Sunny Jacobs. "Has she forgiven Michael Satz, the prosecutor that withheld evidence and sent her innocent husband to death? Unbelievably, she has. ?Anger is a toxic fuel? says Sunny, ?it doesn't serve my purpose...
JAABLOG'S ONCE UPON A TIME*
Posted on November 27, 2009"It is well documented by law enforcement that people using drugs are actively involved in all sorts of criminal activities such as burglaries, robberies, and violent crimes." - Mike Satz, 2009 "Everybody must get stoned!" (Thanks to "BOBBY D")Satz and dinner pals A dinner pal or two pass rolled cig It makes them happy! Click links to enlarge each photo...
JAABCAM
Posted on November 25, 20091.) Congrats! Court Deputy Al Rosen retired Wednesday, after fourteen years with BSO and seventeen with the NYPD; 2.) That's Mike Dutko in Afghanistan a little while back, posing in front of the Army's version of the PD's Office. The sign says "Defending Those Who Defend America" (photo courtesy of Bill O'Reilly); 3...
THE SHORT LIST
Posted on November 24, 2009The applicant pool before the Governor to replace Judge Carney has been cut to the following three names: 1.) Michael Usan; 2.) Raag Singhal; 3.) David Haimes.Rumor has it that early favorite Maria Schneider's candidacy was 86'd due to Senatorial politics (read RUBIO)...
BROWARD IS THE #1 HARD DRUG PUSHER TO THE NATION
Posted on November 24, 2009Mike Satz is actually doing something to address one of his monumental failures as State Attorney for Broward County. Here's what he told Channel Seven recently regarding his work with the Grand Jury to curb the growth of pill mills in Broward:"The grand jury felt that they wanted to look at that and make sure that pill mills are not increasing, that the health and welfare of the people of South Florida, in particular the people of Broward County is enhanced, that they felt that this prescription drug monitoring program be placed into effect, be effective to stop doctor shopping, stop people coming from other states like Kentucky...
T MINUS 30 DAYS (FOR CONFIRMATION)
Posted on November 22, 2009There Go Da Judge "Driving Blind"Judging Ana "Gardiner's alleged relationships with lawyers and prosecutors raises troubling questions"Gardiner's only defense was an off-the-wall cease-and-desist letterConfirmed: Scheinberg Out At SAO RIP Judge Charlie Kaplan Ana Goes Down (To Civil)Daily Pulp: "The Cover-Up: Judge Ana Gardiner Lied Under Oath"The Gardiner & Scheinberg TranscriptsSupreme Court Speaks; Will Gardiner Skate? Gardiner Delivers Damaging Testimony before JQC in Aleman Trial
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on November 18, 2009What's up Doc Brannon's sleeve?Compare & Contrast - here's how they handle Driving While License Suspended ("DWLS") or No Valid DL ("NVDL") cases in Miami:"No trial" option for DWLS or NVDL cases:- The prosecutor will extend an offer to settle...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on November 18, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED NOVEMBER 18, 2009Frusciante - Affirmed ("In a well-reasoned order") S. Kaplan - Granting of Suppression Motion Reversed Backman - Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded (3.850) Towbin-Singer - Affirmed in Part; Reversed in Part and Remanded (3...
JAABCAM CRS EDITION
Posted on November 17, 20091.) The Professor gives JAABLOG an "A" in Obnoxiousness; 2.) Debbie Garr, Director of Court Reporting Services, gave us the grand tour of the 17th's electronic court reporting facilities on Tuesday. Debbie is responsible for all the electronica, and supervises twenty-seven Digital Court Reporters...
WOULD YOU GRANT THIS MOTION?
Posted on November 16, 2009Attorney Gary Ostrow writes: On December 12, 2008, Fort Lauderdale police received a tip alleging that the defendant, John Mazzurco, was in the process of breaking down multiple kilos of cocaine at a particular address in the city...
SUNDAY NOTES - "VAGINA JUSTICE"
Posted on November 15, 2009No further continuances - Will Judge Ana Gardiner be chucking it in before the New Year? That's the buzz, growing stronger everyday. The real question, of course, is whether she'll quietly disappear into the night, or go out with a bang. Let's hope it's the latter, since no one heats up the blogosphere quite like our Ana...
JAABCAM
Posted on November 15, 20091.) Oy vey!; 2.) Lambos and a Ferrari being transported to greener pastures. Were they once Scotty's?; 3.) Poor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward. Of all the indignities to endure ...; 4.) Score another one for the good guys; 5...
THURSDAY NOTES AND THEORETICALS
Posted on November 12, 2009One theory as to where the Rothstein case is going - it takes a big blog to admit it, but facts are facts: beyond a snippet here and there, we've disseminated hardly anything interesting in the still rapidly unfolding Rothstein scandal. So, with gritted teeth and a depo-free afternoon, we set off today to try and remedy the situation in our usual fashion - by finding more experienced lawyers and mindlessly copying down everything they say...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on November 09, 2009The Billionaire and the BozoThe Voice of Reason? Tuesday's Courthouse Rumor: Did a compassionate phone call from Mr. Huizenga help Scott Rothstein realize he should come home and make amends? Tarot and Astrology Life Solutions Reads Mike's Cards: "Emperor: Satz" - "I am attracted to powerful men...
CHERNOW-BROWN DENIES GARDINER MOTION
Posted on November 09, 2009All aboard The Loureiro Express ...Judge Gardiner was apparently not amused by the recent Motion to Dismiss filed by attorneys Mike Tenzer and Richard Rosenbaum in State v. Loureiro. She's fighting back, and losing.Click here for "HONORABLE ANA I...
INTERVIEWS FOR CARNEY'S SEAT
Posted on September 30, 2009Judicial Applicants for 17th Circuit Seat of Retiring Judge Carney to be interviewed on October 6th, 2009:1) Michael Robinson; 2) Maria M. Schneider; 3) Gerard S. Williams; 4) Stefanie C. Moon; 5) Melinda K. Brown;6) Sharon L. Zeller; 7) Julio E. Gonzalez Jr...
JAABCAM
Posted on September 24, 20091.) Judge School 101 - never mess with Val Williams (and Lord help the judge foolish enough to try and take her cellphone away); 2.) How many defendants have a World Series Ring? (this one was photographed while still on Jim Leyritz's finger - one might assume the other ones are safely tucked away in David Bogenschutz's safe deposit box); 3...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on September 24, 2009ROC Last Week (although you'll find the same in almost every Broward courtroom, any day of the week)The "Primordial Urge" defense - a lawyer plans on trying a consensual sex with a minor charge soon (+16), looking for a jury pardon...
"this is the beginning of the long-awaited federal takedown ... "
Posted on September 23, 2009BOB NORMAN'S DAILY PULPSources: Broward County Commissioner Eggelletion Arrested
23 APPLICANTS FOR CARNEY'S SEAT
Posted on September 22, 20091) Michael Robinson; 2) Maria M. Schneider; 3) Gerard S. Williams; 4) Stefanie C. Moon; 5) Melinda K. Brown; 6) Christopher W. Pole; 7) David A. Haimes; 8) Sharon L. Zeller; 9) Candace Korthals; 10) Julio E. Gonzalez Jr.; 11) Michael A. Usan; 12) Andrew L...
BACDL SAVES THE DAY?
Posted on September 22, 2009Details are sketchy, but the inexhaustible Ira Still and BACDL may have found a last minute solution regarding the in-custody drug programs, with major assistance from, drum roll please, Mike Satz and Monica Hofheinz.Apparently, there is roughly half a million dollars sitting in a trust fund garnered from defendant fines...
VITALE MAKES IT OFFICIAL
Posted on September 22, 2009As a result of the resignation of Circuit Judge Linda Vitale, there is a vacancy on the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court in and for Broward County, Florida.Judicial applications for this one (1) Circuit Court vacancy must be received before 5 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2009 at the following location:c/o Jamie Finizio Bascombe, Esq...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on September 22, 2009Where O Where did our Phantom Fauxtoshopper go? - Click here for a stroll down memory lane, featuring the collected masterworks of the mysterious Phantom. Show him the love people, and maybe he'll grace us with his presence again ...Judge Gold entertains Jim Leyritz and David Bogenschutz Wednesday - and did you know the SAO ended up filing the domestic battery charge, after Judge Gold found the case to be bunk? Also, click here for the Sun Sentinel's coverage of Judge Levenson's ex-wife Jill's efforts to save a bit of Broward for sex offenders to call home, and here for the most recent example why Ft...
HOW MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE HAS SATZ PUT AWAY?
Posted on September 21, 2009$2 million settlement for another Broward man cleared by DNA"The Broward Sheriff's Office has quietly reached a $2-million settlement with Jerry Frank Townsend, a mentally challenged man who was wrongly convicted and spent 22 years in prison for a series of murders that DNA later showed he did not commit, documents obtained by the Sun Sentinel show...
JAABLOG MOVEMENT
Posted on September 18, 2009Judge Rodriguez-Powell to be replaced by former Assistant Public Defender Judge Tom Lynch.Judge Levenson moving too.The first two are not surprises. The shocker - Judge Gold may be heading to Civil. A call to his office yielded inconclusive results - no confirmation, yet no denial...
JAABCAM
Posted on September 17, 20091.) The only thing everyone in the main courthouse agrees on: Moses is cool; 2.) Detective Andrea Penoyer of Police Women Of Broward County. She's smiling because she doesn't know the photographer is a major critic. To all her secret admirers: she's even prettier in person, and super petite; 3...
BUDDY OUTS SHEILA
Posted on September 17, 2009But who told Buddy? Someone from the SAO?BROWARDBEAT.COMAlu Strikes Again; Threatens To Overturn Untold Number of Cases "Assistant State Attorney Alu has delivered to the Public Defenders Office a list of 28 police under investigation by her bosses at the State Attorney?s Office ...
WEDNESDAY NOTES/4TH DCA
Posted on September 16, 20094TH DCA BROWARD OPINIONS RELEASED 9-16-09Bidwill - Reversed and remanded (Williams Rule Issues) Avalos - Affirmed in Part, Reversed in Part, and Remanded (Botched Jury Instructions)O'Connor - Affirmed (Post-Conviction Relief) Speiser - Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remandedLevenson - Affirmed in part; Reversed in part; and Remanded (Insuffct...
TUESDAY
Posted on September 15, 2009Is fund raising different than contributing? - Click here for Bob Norman's reporting on a story that's near and dear to our hearts (for obvious reasons). Bob nails it, as do all the other good people involved in the story, who quickly handle an uncomfortable little scenario like the pros they are, except for maybe a little hiccup coming with the Judge's Order ...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on September 14, 2009On the warpath: Satz vents after recent rash of bad publicityViolent crime down, property crime up - Click here for the Sentinel's reporting on the most recent FBI crime stats. After spiking during the first half of the year, violent crime ended up dropping in Broward, as it did in neighboring counties (Broward was the only place violent crime went up during the first half of 2008)...
SURPRISE, SURPRISE: GUILTY COPS GET A FREE PASS
Posted on September 09, 2009Did you know Judge Imperato worked as a police officer once upon a time?Police Officers Emanouel Legakis and Miranda Decker were sentenced today. Found guilty by jury of one felony count of Official Misconduct, Judge Imperato withheld adjudication and sentenced them each to a year of administrative probation (no in-person reporting required)...
JAABCAM
Posted on September 09, 20091.) Colleagues Bill Scherer and David Di Pietro on their way to court this morning, in the matter of Kasler v. Seidlin (David is an SAO alum); 2.) Carmel's on the case. Seidlin's attorney Russell Adler interviewed by Channel Seven's Cafiero, after the hearing...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on September 09, 2009Diane Cuddihy, Real Life HeroCounty Commission meeting tomorrow - The following message is from BACDL President Russell Williams:Thursday, at 5 pm, is the Commission meeting regarding the Sheriff's budget. The Sheriff has submitted a budget to the county which DOES NOT include any funding for jail treatment programs...
LEOPARDS NEVER CHANGE THEIR SPOTS
Posted on September 06, 2009Banality on Tour - Campaign '76 (Satz's Ford Pinto not pictured)Miami Herald: Caravella case is among string of bogus convictions" ...
CARNEY RESPONDS/MISSING SCRIPT/SAO NEWSLETTER
Posted on September 04, 2009The following is a purported communication from Judge Robert Carney, posted under "Off the Chain!" at 10:29 this morning: "While I don?t ordinarily contribute to this blog, I feel it might be appropriate to set some facts straight...
OFF THE CHAIN!
Posted on September 03, 2009CORRECTION - Public Defender Howard Finkelstein let us know in no uncertain terms today that Anthony Caravella, sentenced to prison twenty-five years ago on what looks to be a faulty conviction, did not appear before Judge Rob Carney during his murder trial...
JAABCAM
Posted on September 03, 20091.) Statewide Prosecutor Oscar Gelpi and BACDL's Teresa Williams forget they're locked in mortal combat long enough to have their picture taken; 2.) It's official - Broward formally secedes from the Union. Having ditched the U.S. and Florida Constitutions years ago, the U...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on September 02, 20094TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS RELEASED 9-2-09Tuter - Convictions Affirmed; Sentences Vacated and Remanded for resentencing before a different judge... at sentencing the trial court expressly considered (Defendant's) protestations of innocence and failure to show remorse in determining what sentence to impose...
LUCKY LARRY RUNNING OUT OF LUCK?
Posted on September 01, 2009Uh oh, better get Maaco ...We're told Larry Seidlin isn't out of the woods just yet. Apparently, the family of Barbara Kasler have enlisted the biggest gun around to pursue the Judge civilly. That's right, Bill Scherer has reportedly been retained to OJ Larry after the criminal complaints didn't stick...
YESTERDAY'S PAPERS
Posted on August 30, 2009Judge Bober busted a young female Defendant doing the nod in court last week. Apparently, she was so out of it even the hard to infuriate Bober felt the need to take her in, after she tested positive for some trank like substances that would make Keith Richards woozy...
SWINE FLU SCARE AT THE SAO
Posted on August 27, 2009Concerned ASAs are buzzing about a recent H1N1 Virus scare at the SAO. Here's the email that went around from Satz's right hand man Monica Hofheinz, addressed to "All SAO Units", on August 17, 2009 at 5:07 PM:We were just made aware today that an employee of this office was diagnosed with the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)...
JAABCAM
Posted on August 27, 20091.) Lawyers and defendants at the West Satellite appear before both Judge Feld and the State. This picture of ASA Monica Benitez in the witness box was taken before court today. Sure enough, after the "All Rise!", the young ASA stayed put and prosecuted from stage left, complete with clever comments about which case the judge should call next...
SOMETHING IN THE WATER AT BSO?
Posted on August 25, 2009Grady and Bleiweiss may have company soon. Another male BSO Deputy is being accused of fondling another man during a "pat down". Apparently, the inappropriate search included deep inside underwear territory, complete with some highly suggestible comments about "weapons"...
STATE BACKS DOWN
Posted on August 24, 2009Details are sketchy, but the State has apparently backed off its position to no longer offer substantial assistance in Judge Carlos Rodriguez's division. We're told they filed some sort of pleading, which we'll post as soon as we get it. We'll also try to get a comment from ASA John Gallagher, although we're pretty sure it'll start with an "F" and end with the word "off".
SEIDMAN SAYS "NO" TO FAULTY INTOXILYZER
Posted on August 21, 2009Judge Lee Seidman issued a strongly worded order this morning granting defense motions to suppress breath test results ("The Veiga Motion"). He is the first judge to rule of the roughly fifteen who sat en banc to hear the issues (twelve county court and Gold, Murphy and Towbin-Singer from the Circuit...
WEDNESDAY NOTES
Posted on August 20, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 8-19-09A lot of boring post-conviction relief stuff this week, except for the 4th backing up the PD against Judge Levenson trying to appoint them to represent a witness in a murder case (see prior reporting on JAABLOG for background)...
SCRAPING AWAY THE VENEER ONE DAY AT A TIME ...
Posted on August 18, 2009Re-elect Democrat Michael Satz Copyright © 2000 South Florida Sun-SentinelThe only time Broward County State Attorney Michael J. Satz has faced opposition was the first time he ran for office 24 years ago. This year, he's being challenged in the democratic primary by a political newcomer, Adam Balkan, 31, a former assistant state attorney who worked for Satz...
JAABCAM
Posted on August 17, 20091.) Time, Newsweek, and now JAABLOG. Prison reform advocate Bob Butterworth finally snares the media triple crown; 2.) speaking of media, here's John DeGroot and Howard Finkelstein. Be sure to check out Stupid Journalism Tricks #1 over at John's blog, where he's been busy crunching numbers and coining phrases like "Satzspin bullshit"; 3...
HERE WE GO AGAIN ...
Posted on August 17, 2009The JNC process is gearing up again to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Robert Carney. The JNC has until Tuesday, October 13th to supply the names to the Governor to fill the spot, before Carney's retirement begins on December 31st, 2009...
THE GALLAGHER & COHEN TRANSCRIPTS
Posted on August 13, 2009Click here for the transcript detailing ASA Gallagher's problems in Judge Carlos Rodriguez's division. The original blow-up had something to do with a case ASA Eva Solomos was handling, whereby a "meeting of the minds" on a substantial assistance agreement never happened, meaning the defendant was stuck with a fifteen year minimum mandatory prison sanction...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS - ANA STRIKES AGAIN
Posted on August 12, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 8-12-09Gardiner - Reversed for a new trial (how's the promotion to civil going Ana?)" ... Defendant was charged with capital sexual battery. After an extensive pretrial period, the State disclosed its expert for the second aspect of the DNA evidence only on the first day of trial...
KING CASE DROPPED
Posted on August 11, 2009As predicted, the SAO nolle prossed Michael King's case a few minutes ago. King gets to go homeless again, and Bleiweiss has to keep his jail clothes on, as reported earlier today by the Sentinel.
MORE SAO BRADY PROBLEMS
Posted on August 11, 2009The hearing on the aggregated DUI Motions is already bearing fruit.Details are sketchy, as we are still awaiting the transcript from part one of the hearing on July 31st (part two commences on August 18th). This is just what we're hearing at this point...
We're Back ...
Posted on August 10, 2009Our email is chock full of Anonymous Tips, so please be patient while it's all sorted out. It's no fun climbing back on the horse after a nice break, but here goes ..."Boy the way Glen Miller played" ... tongues were wagging last week after Judge Dale Cohen held an evidentiary hearing on this Motion To Recuse, filed by attorney Steve Melnick...
JAABCAM: BERMUDA!
Posted on August 10, 20091.) The Bermuda Parliament - a miniature version of the one in London. The Parliament Chamber sits directly below (2.) the Supreme Court, on a hilltop in Hamilton (the accused sits or stands in the glass box in the middle foreground); 3.) Magistrates Court (our version of county court)...
MIRACLE OF MIRACLES! MERCER SKATES!
Posted on July 30, 2009BILL SCHERER'S FORMER SON-IN -LAW GETS MISDEMEANORS! - remember back in May when Tony Mercer got popped for trafficking and possessing all sorts of nasty chemicals, carrying at least one minimum mandatory prison sanction? Today we learned he escaped all felony charges...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on July 29, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 7-29-09Gates - Reversed and remanded (State concedes their error) Luzzo - Affirmed Bidwill - Affirmed OPINIONS RELEASED 7-22-09O'Connor - Reversed and Remanded (suppression should have been granted)Grossman - Reversed and Remanded Goldstein - Reversed and RemandedFrusciante - Appeal abated (the dead man's parental rights case)(Sentinel - In death, Broward father may become dad again)Aleman - no error by trial court Eade - Reversed and remanded MEDIA: DBR's Inside Track on Jahra McLawrenceDominican-born attorney McLawrence runs for judgeship in FloridaDBR: Land offered to county for courthouse for $15 millionBroward Attorneys Fight Last-Ditch Battle To Save Treatment ProgramsCourt reporters are necessity in court system Sidestepping critics, Crist signs legislation designed to crack down on pain pill clinics A victory for court opennessChief federal judge Moreno exhibits humor, demands decorumCrist not consistent on judge nomineesUnlike Florida, Iowa reworked sex offender lawAttention Judge Gardiner: Hillsborough judge stars in Tru TV's new series Pet CourtHerald Editorial: Get rid of sex offender shantytown
WEDNESDAY NOTES - UNCLE FRED!
Posted on July 29, 2009JAABLOG announces the Barbara Beilly Project - who is General Master Barbara Beilly? Who cares? Well, we do now, since receiving reports she's messing about with one of our favorite at-laws. Information is still sketchy, but we're told Mr...
TUESDAY NOTES - HOLLYWOOD FALLOUT
Posted on July 28, 2009THE FBI & FDLE - click here for the Public Defender's letter to Chief Wagner of the Hollywood PD, regarding the now infamous DUI video. Our favorite part? - the "cc" at the end of page two, copying the FBI, FDLE, and the Broward SAO. Howard asks a lot of tough questions, which we doubt the Chief or Mr...
"We'll do a little Walt Disney to protect the cop ..."
Posted on July 27, 2009Let's hear it for Hollywood.Your friendly neighborhood Hollywood PD is at it again.Today's story involves a police officer crashing into an illegally stopped car. It could have happened to anyone. The owner of the car turns out to be, let's say, woozy, and roadsides ensue...
THURSDAY NOTES: McLawrence Makes It Official!
Posted on July 23, 2009McLawrence v. Seidman - It's on! Jahra McLawrence filed his papers to run for county court judge, group 26. Click here next week to see the proof, when the Supervisor of Elections' web master returns from vacation and posts the new filing. May the Best Man Win!Teresa Williams weighs in - no, not on the McLawrence/Seidman race (wasn't she going to run too?), but on BACDL's meeting tomorrow to save the in-custody drug programs...
JAABCAM
Posted on July 23, 20091.) Millions of people may have been watching Carmel Cafiero's live broadcast from the courthouse today, but pros like Carmel and David Bogenschutz don't know the meaning of "nerves". Here they are clowning during a commercial break, seconds before the red light came on and they went back to work (2); 3...
TUESDAY NOTES - FLOATING HEADS & HUIZENGA
Posted on July 21, 2009The perfect crime? - did you hear about the case of Robert Mackey and Paul Trucchio? Two guys accused of murder, after the discovery of a floating human head in a canal alongside Alligator Alley in Broward County? Click here for BSO's press release from 2007, and click here for the four page Affidavit To Arrest detailing the investigation...
ROTATION!
Posted on July 20, 2009Nova Law School Book Store reports brisk sales ...Purported Email from Judge Carney to all 17th Circuit Judges: Enclosed herewith is a copy of the proposed rotational plan for the 17 th Judicial Circuit. It includes rotation for both Circuit and County Court...
JAABCAM
Posted on July 19, 20091.) Private attorneys start to care about the budget cuts - PAs can forget about a quick trip to the Misdemeanor Clerk's Office after court; 2.) Doodie! The burst water main at Sunrise and 15th Thursday evening, which made lots of people late to court Friday morning; 3...
SUNDAY NOTES
Posted on July 19, 2009Judge Feren expected to rule Monday morning on the Motions To Disqualify - at least that's what he supposedly told the people in his division (and he's up against the thirty day statutory deadline too). We'll post the order after we secure a copy ...
MAREK TO DIE
Posted on July 16, 2009JAABLOG learned earlier today that the Supreme Court has issued an order affirming the death sentence of John Marek.Mr. Martin McClain and his colleagues should be commended for their gallant efforts.
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on July 16, 2009The Stanton Kaplan Rule? - Click here for today's Supreme Court ruling changing the score sheets in Florida.Here's the relevant lingo, included in new score sheets:"If total sentence points are less than or equal to 44, the lowest permissible sentence is any non-state prison sanction...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on July 15, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 7-15-09Gold - Affirmed (1st Degree Felony Murder of Child) Dijols - Reversed (hearsay can't be sole basis for VOP)Carol-Lisa Phillips - Appeal Dismissed Aleman - Petition GrantedABC News: Sex Offender Begs For More Jail Time (sigh, as usual, no credit for JAABLOG)DBR: Minority groups form with eyes on diverse South Florida judiciarySDFL Blog: Robert Lee is not going to be a Federal Judge (this time)(Also, see the SDFL Blog for interview reports)Full Court Press - Florida State Courts Summer 2009 EditionOrlando - the 3rd-meanest city in America for homelessEsteemed juvenile Judge Cindy Lederman loses top post (new Miami CJ making changes) (Our condolences to the Fields' Family)
JAABCAM
Posted on July 14, 20091.) Trial run of BSO's new prisoner transport system Monday. The secure tubes connect directly to the Main Jail. Savings could reach into the millions annually after expensive infrastructure upgrades; 2.) Let's hope he didn't relapse - Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer cancels a signing of his sex & drugs & sobriety memoir "Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top" (Barnes & Noble Fort Lauderdale); 3...
TUESDAY NOTES (LOUREIRO, TOBIN v. FORMAN, STATZ BY SATZ)
Posted on July 14, 2009Decker & Legakis flank attorney Johnny McCrayClosing Arguments Wednesday - Police Officers Miranda Decker & Emanouel Legakis go into day three of their trial tomorrow. Our favorite newsie was there for a few minutes, but there might not be a story since she was preoccupied with more serious matters...
A NEW STANDARD FOR DVU FIREARM DISCHARGE CASES
Posted on July 13, 2009Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderley's wife Eleanor pled this morning. She'll be sentenced by Judge Levenson on August 21st at 1:30 PM. The agreed range is 270 days in the county jail up to 30 months prison. From the sound of statements by the Judge and attorney David Bogenschutz, expect the minimum jail time followed by probation...
SAVE THE IN-CUSTODY DRUG PRGRAMS
Posted on July 13, 2009The Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Presents Forum on In-Custody Jail Treatment Program Date: Friday, July 24, 2009 Time: 1:00 p...
SOME THINGS NEVER GO AWAY!
Posted on July 08, 2009Will former Chief Judge Dale Ross have to talk? "Judge Ross Would Suffer Unnecessary Annoyance, Embarrassment, Oppression, And Undue Burden If Compelled To Testify" -Senior Assistant Attorney General Charles M...
WEDS NOTES - IRELAND, SAO NEWSLETTER, 4TH DCA OPS
Posted on July 08, 2009The Oakland Raiders' Zack Crockett in the house ...Juror #1 - retired professional football player and Pompano native Zack Crockett helped clear another innocent man from criminal charges in Broward this week. "JAABLOG is for cowards" - Judge Kathleen Ireland has some very definite opinions about our humble little Blog...
BIDWILL RULES
Posted on July 02, 2009Fly me to the moon ...Judge Bidwill recused himself in the State v. Loureiro fiasco. It's up to Chief Judge Tobin to decide whether or not the entire 17th Circuit Judiciary should be disqualified, since he's the only one with the authority to make that decision...
JAABCAM
Posted on July 02, 20091.) Leyritz meets Judge Hurley today for at least the second time. The hearing was rather anti-climatic since Judge Gold had already revoked Leyritz's pretrial release based on the new arrest. The new allegations are supposed to be pretty shaky and full of contradictions, so Leyritz may be back out next week looking for his third strike (photo of the video feed from First Appearances); 2...
CRUEL AND UNUSUAL: HOUSE ARREST WITHOUT A HOUSE
Posted on June 30, 2009Raphael Marquez would rather live in the Broward County Jail than under a bridgeToday's travesty comes in the form of one Raphael Marquez, courtesy of the Florida Legislature.Mr. Marquez was released from Florida State Prison on June 23rd, after serving roughly seven years on a sex offense...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on June 30, 2009Grady Ordered Into R.E.A.C.H. - Judge Robinson signed the following order today:The Court having heard the testimony of Dr. Michael Brannon as to his evaluation of the defendant, Charles Grady, orders the defendant Charles Grady to commence outpatient treatment at R...
TUESDAY NOTES (GARDINER, GRADY, FEREN & DEPOTEK IS HERE)
Posted on June 29, 2009Buddy Nevins over at BrowardBeat.com hangs a major curve ball - click here to read his report on Judge Ana Gardiner's request to be removed as a 2009 Hispanic Woman Of Distinction. According to the article, Ana is paying extra special attention to the Judicial Canons of Ethics these days, since "a sanctimonious, largely anonymous crowd of Internet bloggers continue to attack her...
SURPRISE, SURPRISE
Posted on June 28, 2009Critic eats hat - news at elevenA lot can happen in a few days ... which is why we should have tracked down Public Defender Howard Finkelstein before Friday of last week.It turns out our favorite whipping boy has been making concessions after all...
JAMES JONES, PROCESS SERVER
Posted on June 25, 2009James Jones of Out On Bail, Inc.James Jones is a licensed private investigator and process server. You probably recognize James from seeing him around the Broward Central Courthouse. If you have a subpoena you need served, give him a call at 954-644-0274...
JAABCAM
Posted on June 25, 20091.) Hail to the Chief! Marge McClain, of the Hurley/McClains, is the new President of the Broward County Judicial Assistants' Association. Trish Mcgee hands over the reigns after many years of steering the ship on July 15th, when Judge Hurley swears Marge in at the Installation Luncheon; 2...
THEY SAY THE DARKEST HOUR/ IS RIGHT BEFORE THE DAWN*
Posted on June 24, 2009MIAMI HERALDChange sought in Florida prison system"A call by Florida's most powerful business lobby to halt prison construction and reform the criminal justice system is gaining surprising traction among policymakers in the wake of a deepening budget crisis and growing evidence that building new prison beds will not reduce crime...
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
Posted on June 24, 2009Loureiro is flaring up again - will there be an evidentiary hearing after all?Motion to Dismiss Based on Prosecutorial and Judicial Misconduct? - here is the Motion to Disqualify the 17th Circuit Judiciary filed by attorney Michael Tenzer in State v...
SATZ, INC.
Posted on June 22, 2009SUN SENTINELBroward sheriff's deputy Charles Grady kept badge, job despite repeated complaints from women"A review of Grady's service record by the Sun Sentinel turned up complaints from women over the years who claimed the deputy had berated, belittled, molested, fondled, hog-tied or pepper-sprayed them...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on June 22, 2009Election Day - Tuesday is election day for the Broward County Judicial Assistants' Association. After many years of service, Trish McGee is hoping to pass the reigns to another dedicated individual with a high threshold for pain (hello, one judge is bad enough - how would you like to handle a hundred of them?)...
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
Posted on June 19, 2009A "good little tool"?BOB NORMAN'S DAILY PULPThe Florida Bar Strikes a Blow for Unjustice Everywhere " ... the Florida Bar Association is going after lawyer Lawrence "Chris" Roberts...Roberts, you see, had the audacity to tell the truth. He told of Judge Larry Seidlin's improprieties as a judge, about his soliciting of a purse for his wife and a shirt...
JAABCAM
Posted on June 19, 20091.) Happy Anniversary! Gentleman John Kastrenakes celebrates his first full week on the Palm Beach circuit bench Friday (too bad he didn't pay Broward a visit in his former capacity as a DOJ public corruption prosecutor before the Governor made him a judge); 2...
FUN WITH FEREN
Posted on June 18, 2009Feren's courtroom around 3:00 PM ThursdayThis Motion For Disqualification Of Judge was filed today by the Public Defender's Office.We weren't there, but Judge Feren apparently commented on the length of the Motion, and said he needed time to read it...
4th DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on June 17, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 6-17-09Imperato - Reversed and remanded Gold - Reversed and RemandedBidwill - reverse and remand for a new trial Englander Henning - Affirm Gates - reverse and remand for the trial court to vacate Cote?s judgment and sentence (Dispositive Motion to Suppress should have been granted) Michael Kaplan - Reversed and Remanded(Felony DUI should not have been dismissed due to loss of DUI Video by the State)Carney - Affirmed in part; reversed in part Bowman - Reversed and remanded for further proceedingsRosenberg - Affirmed Gardiner - reverse and remandKrathen - Petition Denied Bidwill - Reversed and remandedGold - Reversed and Remanded for Further Proceedings (Does not include PCAs)
WHO IS STEVEN FEREN & WHY DID HE WANT TO BE A JUDGE?
Posted on June 17, 2009Judge Feren doesn't want you wasting his precious time...
TUESDAY NOTES
Posted on June 16, 2009Coming soon - Juvenile Judge Feren's first star turn on JAABLOG. There's a transcript floating around out there, and it's a doozy. Will this be the end of his short stay in the criminal division? Did he really mean all those silly things he said, or is he just looking to get over to civil and out of the crappy mock courtroom he's stuck in now? Stay tuned ...
DALE ROSS REDUCED TO BEGGING?
Posted on June 15, 2009"You did not respond to my last email. Could you respond? Call me...
JAABCAM
Posted on June 14, 20091.) Lamberti & Finkelstein share a twenty year old joke before Friday's PSCC Meeting (Sheriff Al started his BSO career in the courthouse, working in the Main Jail which was housed on the seventh floor; 2.) No, that's not David Bogenschutz in the seersucker suit and white bucks...
JAKOVICH vs. VITALE
Posted on June 12, 2009Robert Abraham Jakovich Howard Finkelstein made the following announcement earlier today:GOOD LUCK ROBIt's official. Assistant Public Defender, Major Crimes Attorney, Rob Jakovich has filed his papers to run for Circuit Judge in Judge Vitale's slot...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on June 11, 2009Kenneth Pierce with his attorney Ed HoegCongratulations to Clement Dean on his Not Guilty in the non-capital murder one that finally wrapped up before Judge Lebow today. The rubber match went to Dean after two prior hung juries...
JAABCAM
Posted on June 10, 2009The Courthouse crime spree continues - first Judge Seidman's computer is stolen, then 1.) The mirrors from the eighth floor Men's Room go missing, and then 2.) Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips' golf cart disappears (that's the Judge and BSO searching for her transport Wednesday at lunch time); 3...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on June 10, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED JUNE 3, 2009Weinstein - Reversed and Remanded Levenson - AffirmedGrossman - Reversed and Remanded Lazarus - reverse and remand for a new trialAvalos (!) - Affirmed Englander Henning - ReversedDale Ross - Reversed Andrews - Reversed and Remanded for further proceedingsAndrews - Reversed and Remanded Englander Henning - Reversed and remanded with instructionsRodriguez-Powell - Petitioner discharged from ProsecutionOPINIONS RELEASED JUNE 10, 2009Williams - Reversed and Remanded with Directions Williams - Reversed and RemandedLynch - Petition granted, order quashed and cause remanded
MINDY SOLOMON MAKES IT OFFICIAL
Posted on June 10, 2009Chief Assistant Public Defender Mindy SolomonMindy files for 2010. Former homicide prosecutor, current Chief of County Courts for the Public Defender (formerly in charge of the Juvenile Division), and Nova Law Professor Solomon is running for retiring Judge Shutter's county court seat...
TUESDAY NOTES - GRADY GRADY GRADY
Posted on June 09, 2009Sorry Cheryl, it's real - Sandra Perlman has made it official. She's the first 2010 circuit court candidate from the 17th to file with the Division of Elections. Here are the announced county candidates.Head 'em up, move 'em out! - Reports came in today that Sheriff "Rowdy Yates" Lamberti has already begun to move prisoners out of the Stockade...
OPEN YOUR EYES
Posted on June 07, 2009Friday's emergency PSCC meeting was canceled. It's supposed to be rescheduled for some time this week, unless Sheriff Lamberti backs off his position to cut all in-custody drug treatment programs, in addition to shuttering the Stockade facility...
SAO SCANDAL BREWING
Posted on June 05, 2009Grossman, Milian & Grady at his pleaWe've been navigating a minefield all week regarding exclusive rights to a ticking bomb of a story. We're told that both papers have it now, so all bets are off. In a nutshell, the public records request filed by the Public Defender's Office regarding former Deputy Charles Grady has, unfortunately, borne fruit...
SPRING CLEANING
Posted on June 02, 2009JAABLOG WILL RETURN SHORTLY WITH NEW, UNIMPROVED CONTENTIn the meantime, chew on the latest volley in the Spechler v. Tobin appeal.
JAABLOG CENSORED (AGAIN)
Posted on May 29, 2009JAABLOG is once again blocked from the public access computers in the law library. The same thing happened about a year ago, when an angry and embarrassed judge (we think) called in a favor with the County's technology people. The Blog was blocked, we publicized it, it was unblocked, then blocked again, and then unblocked again after everyone remembered Broward was still part of the United States of America...
ASA DAVID BRAUN ARRESTED
Posted on May 29, 2009DEVELOPING ...Rumor has it the charge is Battery on a LEO, but we can't confirm at this time. WHAT'S WRONG AT THE BROWARD SAO?
DUDE, WHERE'S MY CAR?
Posted on May 28, 2009Check out the police report in State v. Mercer.(JAABLOG will update at the usual time tonight)
BILL SCHERER'S SON-IN-LAW ARRESTED FOR TRAFFICKING
Posted on May 27, 2009Anthony Mercer got popped last week. He's set before Judge Gates. Docketrack shows a slew of impending charges:I. Trafficking Cocaine (+28 grams)II. Poss Cannabis (+20 grams)III. Poss OxycodoneIV. Poss HydrocodoneV. Poss ClonazapamVI...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on May 27, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 5-27-09O'Connor - Affirmed Levenson - Affirmed Gardiner/Backman - Reversed & Remanded (sleeping juror case) Englander Henning - Reversed Weinstein - Petition Quashed (client sues lawyer & waives atty/client privilege)Lazarus - Reversed and Remanded Gates - Affirmed (4th again whines about length of postconviction relief motions)
JUNE 3RD MEET & GREET WITH JEFFREY BACKMAN
Posted on May 27, 2009County Court Candidate BackmanSteve Melnick invites everyone to his office on Wednesday, June 3rd, for a Jeff Backman meet & greet.Melnick's place is right across from the Central Courthouse, near the PD's old juvenile division offices...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on May 26, 2009PD alums Gabe Grasso & Ed HoegLas Vegas attorney Gabriel Grasso was in the house Monday. Most recently all over the news representing OJ Simpson, Gabe kept us enthralled with stories of the boundless opportunities for criminal defense lawyers in Sin City...
JAABCAM: MEMORIAL DAY EDITION
Posted on May 25, 20091.) The National WWII Museum is a nice walk from the French Quarter in New Orleans (or a quick streetcar ride on the St. Charles Line); 2.) German Enigma machine (breaking the code shortened the War by roughly two years); 3.) M2-2 Flamethrower (today we have blogs); 4...
JAABLOG'S ONCE UPON A TIME
Posted on May 21, 2009JUSTICE? THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAWby Sue Reisinger, February 7, 2000 (Copyright 2000 Miami Herald Media Co.)"Hello, ladies and gentleman. I?m your friendly bailiff, and I?ll be helping you make your way through the Broward County court system today. If you are a wealthy and well-connected juror who wants to be excused from jury duty because you don?t want to be bothered, step forward now...
JAABCAM
Posted on May 21, 20091.) Are you in with the In Crowd?; 2.) Yet another picture of Tuesday's daring escape attempt; 3.) Tracy and Bill Cone; 4.) Dennis Siegel, head of the SAO's Sexual Battery Unit, relays an offer of a downward departure, three years probation, special condition castration; 5...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT CRIMINAL OPINIONS
Posted on May 20, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 5-13-09Holmes - Affirmed Orlando - Reversed Horowitz - ReversedOPINIONS RELEASED 5-20-09Gardiner - Reversed & Remanded Krathen - Affirm/Resentence (Yisrael PRR issue)_ Gardiner - Affirm/Resentence (Yisrael PRR issue) Carol-Lisa Phillips - Reversed and remandedSUPREME COURTNotice of Proffer - Additional Proof in Marek State's Motion To Strike Additional ProofCondemned South Florida killer has appeal hearing todayOnly Florida's governors can say how they pick execution order"Crist picked out Marek and Johnston from nearly two dozen death-row inmates whose appeals are exhausted...
LARRY CLEARED (AGAIN)
Posted on May 20, 2009HERALDHerald: Ex-Broward Judge Larry Seidlin cleared in 2nd investigation AFTER YESTERDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT IS ANYBODY REALLY SURPRISED?Carmel Cafiero has a report on Channel Seven at 6:00 - Larry may not be completely out of the woods just yet ...
IT'S UP TO TOBIN, BUT DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH
Posted on May 19, 2009We just spoke the the Supreme Court Clerk's Office.An order has been issued in Loureiro.The Agreed Motion To Vacate has been granted, with a twist.Here's the Order:"The "AGREED MOTION TO AMEND MARCH 31, 2009 RELINQUISHMENT ORDER TO RELINQUISH JURISDICTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (BROWARD COUNTY) SO THAT AN AGREED MOTION TO VACATE THE SENTENCE AND CONVICTION CAN BE FILED AND A NEW TRIAL ORDERED" is hereby granted and we issue the following revised order in place of the order dated March 31, 2009...
MUHAMMAD ALU
Posted on May 19, 2009Sheila Alu stands up for the U.S. ConstitutionTHE DAILY PULPSupreme Court Speaks; Will Gardiner Skate? " "Judge Gardiner violated this person's Constitutional rights, she lied under oath, lied about me, and she gets away with it," Alu said. "It went to the highest court in Florida and she still sits on the bench...
THE HEEL OF THE FASCIST BOOT
Posted on May 19, 2009The Loureiro saga is rapidly winding down to its foregone conclusions. It's hard to imagine anyone being surprised at the outcome. It's also unfair to think it would have been handled any differently in other jurisdictions across the country...
ATTENTION SUPREME COURT: RON CACCIATORE WEIGHS IN
Posted on May 18, 2009DAILY PULPWitness: The Late Judge Charlie Kaplan Confirmed Ana Gardiner Judicial Misconduct" "Tell you what, I'll challenge to Ana Gardiner to take a lie detector test with me," Cacciatore says. "If she's lying, she will resign from the bench...
WILL THE SUPREME COURT GIVE SATZ WHAT HE WANTS?
Posted on May 18, 2009From Bob Norman's "Judging Ana"THE DAILY PULPThe Cover-Up: Judge Ana Gardiner Lied Under Oath"If you haven't read Judge Ana Gardiner's transcript, you should. It says more about Broward County corruption than anything I could ever write. And it's clear that Gardiner has lied under oath and should be investigated and ultimately criminally charged for doing so...
JAABCAM
Posted on May 17, 20091.) The little blue man means we're on the record - Judge Frusciante appears by phone (he'll play Charlie in the next Charlie's Angels flick); 2.) Judge Williams mentoring a class of fourth graders from Westwood Heights Elementary; 3.) Out in the west Texas town of El Paso ...
CONCESSION!
Posted on May 15, 2009Filed in the Florida Supreme Court today in the matter of State v. Loureiro:"AGREED MOTION TO AMEND MARCH 31, 2009 RELINQUISHMENT ORDER TO RELINQUISH JURISDICTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (BROWARD COUNTY) SO THAT AN AGREED MOTION TO VACATE THE SENTENCE AND CONVICTION CAN BE FILED AND A NEW TRIAL ORDERED"A new trial in a death penalty case...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on May 14, 2009FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY ... There's a status hearing in the Loureiro matter before Judge Lucy Chernow Brown in Palm Beach tomorrow. Conventional Wisdom has it that the State will CONCEDE the evidentiary hearing set on May 26. The discovery process has thus far ground to a halt, and apparently all eyes are now focused on Judge Brown, since it's up to her whether or not she'll accept a concession and allow a new trial without any further investigation...
LOUREIRO UPDATE
Posted on May 14, 2009The status hearing in Palm Beach is set for tomorrow at 3:30.Judge Brown's JA reportedly told at least one caller that the hearing may be canceled, because Bruce Rogow, representing the Broward State Attorney's Office, filed a motion with the Supreme Court today...
TONIGHT AT TEN
Posted on May 14, 2009Carmel Cafiero keeps up the pressure on Larry Seidlin. She has a feature running tonight at ten on Channel Seven, detailing some of the expenses the Seidlins made with the old lady's money. The piece will also run Friday, between 5:30 and 6:30 PM...
PSCC MEETING
Posted on May 14, 2009The PSCC met today. Jordana Mishory from the Daily Business Review was there, so we'll just hit the highlights.Jail population is sitting at 88%. BSO describes this number as "perfect." Of course, the impending shutdown of the Stockade and cutbacks to in-custody drug rehab programs are a major concern (the programs are often used by the State and judges as mitigators, which reduce the length of jail stays)...
THE SEVENTEENTH
Posted on May 11, 2009The Online Newsletter of the State Attorney's Office, 17th Circuit May, 2009*Florida Supreme Court postpones Marek execution despite Weinstein's ruling for the State*"The new evidence is very solid and the new evidence should require that Mr...
DOES DENNIS SIEGEL APPROVE OF THIS DEAL?
Posted on May 08, 2009School Board fires teachers from Pembroke Pines and Hollywood Investigators in the past cleared Grady of a battery allegation and a molestation allegation (Thanks to the old souls club)
JAABCAM
Posted on May 08, 20091.) A cool picture straight out of Point Blank. The third member of Grady's defense team - David Schulson of Grossman, Milian & Schulson during the plea; 2.) Grady's lead defense lawyer Rhea Grossman with Studly himself; 3.) Victim Erin Shifflett crying after the hearing with Attorney Todd Onore...
THURSDAY NOTES
Posted on May 07, 2009Mike Satz: AnachronismThings are busy as ever in Broward's Central Courthouse.Where to start?Word came late this afternoon that Edward Howard was found not guilty before Judge Bidwill. Of course, an acquittal in a violent felony comes as no surprise in the land that time forgot, where King Satz proudly wears the statewide Biggest Loser crown...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS/ADDERLEY ONTO 3RD JUDGE
Posted on May 06, 2009Luzzo - 4th Certifies a Question INCIDENT TO AN ACTION AT LAW, MAY A TRIAL COURT ISSUE AN INJUNCTION TO FREEZE ASSETS OF A DEFENDANT, WHERE THE PLAINTIFF HAS DEMONSTRATED: (1) THE DEFENDANT WILL TRANSFER, DISSIPATE, OR HIDE HIS/HER ASSETS SO AS TO RENDER A TRIAL JUDGMENT UNENFORCEABLE; (2) A CLEAR LEGAL RIGHT TO THE RELIEF REQUESTED; (3) A SUBSTANTIAL LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS ON THE MERITS; AND (4) A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION WILL SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST? Goldenberg - Reversed Andrews - Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remandedLynch 1 - reverse and remand Lynch 2 - reverse and remand (Columbia U & Flipper)Greene - Order Quashed/Remanded*SENTINEL: Destry steps down in case against Fort Lauderdale police chief's wife*" ...
JAABCAM: I WANT TO LIVE!
Posted on May 06, 20091.) Twenty-six year resident of Death Row John Marek, with attorneys Martin McClain and Linda McDermott. The Governor signed Marek's Death Warrant in late April, and his execution is set for May 13th. The cause is before Judge Weinstein on an Emergency 3...
WILL SATZ CONCEDE WITHOUT RELEASING THE TRANSCRIPTS?
Posted on May 04, 2009Depositions were taken in State v. Loureiro last Thursday. Judge Gardiner, Howard Scheinberg, and a civilian witness gave testimony. The depos were taken by Carey Haughwout on behalf of her client, Loureiro. Bruce Rogow was present on behalf of the 17th Circuit State Attorney, the prosecuting authority, as reportedly was counsel for Gardiner (a lawyer from Palm Beach), and Scheinberg (reportedly Bruce Lyons, Satz's old law school chum)...
JUDGE JAHRA?
Posted on May 04, 2009Jahra McLawrenceRumor has it that Jahra McLawrence will soon announce his candidacy for judge.It's still up in the air whether he'll run against a sitting judge, or file in an open seat.We, of course, hope it's the former. There are plenty of judges out there who need to be "retired...
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Posted on May 04, 2009State employees making over $45,000 a year will take a 2% pay cut, starting July 1st, 2009:Florida lawmakers agree to cut pay of some state workersThe following information is just what we're hearing. Please post a comment if we have anything wrong...
JAABCAM
Posted on April 30, 20091.) 2010 Candidate Sandra Perlman practices her "vote for me" smile; 2.) The accent over Aleman's name - will it make it onto the ballot in 2010? (thanks to "Watch the accent!"); 3. 2010 Candidate Bruce Raticoff (sadly, O'Connor & Bruce are pals); 4...
SAY IT AIN'T SO, MIKE...
Posted on April 30, 2009Will the Loureiro Express crash & burn? Did Howard Scheinberg meet with Mike Satz, or representatives of the SAO, before Satz's trip to Tallahassee?Did Ana Gardiner attempt to, or actually speak with, Rogow or representatives of the SAO?Has the SAO been lobbied to CONCEDE the May 26 evidentiary hearing currently set before Judge Chernow Brown in Palm Beach?Will the SAO agree to a new trial in State v...
BOONDOGGLE! (Or "New Courthouse by Hook or by Crook")
Posted on April 30, 2009BROWARDBEAT.COMCourthouse Parking Cut By 250 Spaces "Condominium residents have the right to park in the garage under a 1993 agreement signed by the county commissioners. The 99-year deal allows the condominium to the exclusive use of spaces in the garage for $27-per-month, according to a Sun-Sentinel article at the time...
COHEN STAYING PUT...
Posted on April 29, 2009Or so we're being told. Apparently the 4th DCA has issued a one page Order today denying the Emergency Petition For Writ of Prohibition "on the merits." We don't have a copy of the Order, but the good folks at the 4th read it to us from the State v...
17TH CIRCUIT 4TH DCA OPINIONS/NACDL MM REPORT
Posted on April 29, 2009"The Terrible Toll of America's Broken Misdemeanor Courts"OPINIONS RELEASED APRIL 29, 2009Lazarus - Affirmed Dijols - Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remandedEade - Reversed and remanded Grossman - Affirmed Andrews - Reversed and remanded Goldstein - Reversed and remandedBidwill - Reversed and Remanded (Does not include PCAs)NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERSMinor Crimes, Massive Waste: The Terrible Toll of America?s Broken Misdemeanor Court"The explosive growth of misdemeanor cases is placing a staggering burden on America's courts...
FUN WITH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS/BUDDY OUTS MINDY
Posted on April 29, 2009Did you know that the 17th Judicial Circuit, the "tough on crime" land of Mike Satz & former Chief Judge Dale Ross, is the only jurisdiction in the entire United States of America to have a special day of distinction when all court business is in appreciation of a convicted felon and ex-federal prisoner? Yup, it's true...
JAABLOG'S 411
Posted on April 28, 2009Do you have a Question?We here at JAABLOG figure it's about time to put Broward's nascent transparency movement onto the fast track. Frankly, we don't want to keep doing it alone. It's boring.Here's the idea: by posting a comment, or through the Anonymous Tips box on the left side of the Blog, send us questions you want answered by BSO, the SAO, the PD, Court Administration, the judiciary, or any other governmental agency you fancy...
BONUS FOR BIG AL & $150 AN HOUR FOR ROGOW
Posted on April 28, 2009Hey Grandpa!Congratulations to Jennifer, Craig, Phyllis, and the Bossman on the birth of happy, healthy Maya. Lonestars all around!Thanks to the good folks in the public information office at the SAO for coming through so quickly...
BSO SOLVES HOMELESS PROBLEM
Posted on April 27, 2009SCOTT MCCALLPermanent Address: "At Large"Current Address: Broward County Jail (can't make $350.00 Bond on Felony Petit Theft charge)PC AFFIDAVIT"Defendant was observed using electrical outlet outside 7-11 for approximately 2 minutes ....
GREAT NEWS: JENNE GOT ALONG FINE WITH THE BLACKS!
Posted on April 26, 2009Soul Brother No. 1 with David BogenschutzBROWARDBEAT.COMJenne Gets On With His Life"Jenne had to stuff paper in the crack at the base of the door to keep the rats from his cell. If he put his food down for more than five minutes, roaches got to it...
SAVE YOUR SPOT ON THE LOUREIRO EXPRESS
Posted on April 26, 2009Save the Date: Tuesday, May 26thJAABLOG presents The Loureiro Express.Round trip, door to door transportation for the evidentiary hearing starring Broward judges & prosecutors, before the Honorable Lucy Chernow Brown. Leaves from the judges parking lot, Broward Central Courthouse, at 7:15 AM Tuesday, May 26th, arriving at the Palm Beach Courthouse at 8:15 AM...
JAABCAM
Posted on April 24, 20091.) Sheriff Al smiling on his home turf, despite having just left a budget meeting with a county commissioner; 2.) "Orlando Al Fresco"; 3.) Specialized FPL crews working double overtime in Wilton Manors (and loving it!); 4.) The one & only Denzil; 5...
PERLMAN v. ALEMAN
Posted on April 24, 2009Perlman & Reres during the William Coday trialDBR'S INSIDE TRACK BLOGJudge Aleman may face opposition from familiar faceAND WHAT ABOUT RATICOFF?Double Dippers: Florida public officials cash in with big retirement payouts"(Judge Stanton) Kaplan "retired" Dec...
JAABLOG'S ONCE UPON A TIME: MEMOS, SCRIPTS & LOE
Posted on April 23, 2009All kinds of wacky stuff is ending up in our mailbox and ears these days. Check out this memo from Michael J. Satz to all ASAs, dated October 1, 1998. It's titled "New Office Policies under the Criminal Punishment Code," and was sent out after the last round of major changes to the scoring system...
NATIONAL TAKE YOUR KID TO WORK DAY
Posted on April 22, 2009APRIL 23, 2009 The Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day program was founded to create an opportunity for girls and boys to share and communicate their expectations for the future...
JAABCAM: PROTEST!
Posted on April 22, 20091.) Los Interpretes necesitan un aumento de sueldo; 2.) Special Master Bruce Lincoln stands up for the little guys; 3.) Co-conspirator/organizer Jason Blank interviews himself for CBS Four; 4.) Co-conspirator/organizer Dale Miller interviewed by WIOD NewsRadio; 5...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on April 22, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED APRIL 22, 2009O'Connor - Affirm/Reverse Williams - Petition for writ of habeas corpus deniedBowman - Affirmed Dijols - Affirmed BLAST FROM THE PAST: Landry v...
COHEN IN DISTRESS
Posted on April 22, 2009Cohen FinkelsteinThe Public Defender's Office has filed a Motion For Disqualification Of Judge with Judge Geoffrey Cohen.Judge Cohen is, of course, the presiding judge in the felony domestic violence division...
SCOTUS DECIDES MAJOR SEARCH INCIDENT TO ARREST CASE
Posted on April 21, 2009ARIZONA v. GANT"Police may search a vehicle incident to a recent occupant?s arrest only if the arrestee is within reaching distance of the passenger compartment at the time of the search or it is reasonable to believe the vehicle contains evidence of the offense of arrest...
JAABCAM
Posted on April 20, 20091.) Glassman, Salesman & Schwartzreich await the jury this morning to commence voir dire on trial number two; 2.) Bogenschutz & Murphy at last week's hearing for Adderley (COP set for May 7th @ 1:30 - "Bogenschutz said a sentence that includes incarceration is likely...
PROTEST!
Posted on April 20, 2009LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!!Holy Ghost of Thomas Paine! An anonymously authored flyer made the rounds of the courthouse Monday, bearing the above-styled caption.The rest of the missive:COME JOIN A LUNCH HOUR PROTEST OF THE PROPOSED SALARY CUTS FOR STATE EMPLOYEESWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009, 12 - 1:30 P...
GRADY GRUDGEMATCH: MILIAN vs. DIAZ
Posted on April 17, 2009Not Grady, but a funny picture nonethelessAttorneys Al Milian and Rhea Grossman have filed a Motion for Disqualification in the former Deputy Charles Grady case.Check it out here.The allegations: 1. Diaz refused to set a quick change of plea after the Information was served on April 2nd, which the parties wanted since a plea agreement had already been negotiated in the hope of avoiding prolonged media attention...
JAABLOG RUMOR MILL
Posted on April 16, 2009Back to the Feds?Just one big fat rumor today. It's all over the courthouse anyway.Will Judge Ilona Holmes be chosen to replace Alex Acosta as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida?We hear she has a pretty good shot...
17TH CIRCUIT 4TH DCA OPINIONS
Posted on April 15, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 4-15-09Rothschild - Reversed Gardiner - Reversed and Remanded Phillips - Affirmed Rothschild - Affirmed in part; reversed in part, and remanded Rothschild - Affirmed Gardiner - Reversed and RemandedGoldstein - Reversed and Remanded with Directions Carney - AffirmedLevenson - Affirmed and Remanded Murphy - ReversedKrathen - Reversed O'Connor - Affirmed (Does not include PCAs)*Judge Seidlin's Clan Removed From Widow's Will *Sun-Sentinel Reporters Cut Off At Courthouse BrowardBeat...
BROWARD COUNTY TAX DAY TEA PARTY
Posted on April 15, 2009Wednesday, April 15, 2009 5:00pm - 8:00pm Federal Building 299 East Broward Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL
JAABCAM GETS THE VELVET BOOT
Posted on April 15, 20091.) Hmmm, what's this all about? ... ; 2.) ... Why, it's a presentation by a panel of 4th DCA judges for the benefit of the 17th Circuit Judiciary, Wednesday at noon, Judge Lebow's courtroom (Gross, May, Warner, Levine, Taylor, Gerber, Farmer & Damoorgian)...
THE BIRD IS THE WORD
Posted on April 13, 2009Everyone's favorite case filer strikes again.Good old Mark Horn.No job too large, too small, or too wrong.Whether it's taser victim Kevin Bradley, or elevator beatdown victim Joshua Ortiz, Satz can count on Horn.Today's episode concerns a preposterous PC Affidavit, a rock (no, not a cocaine rock, a rock as in a "VALTOX tested positive" stone), a negative lab report, and, drum roll please, felony charges for one Anthony Bellamy...
COURTHOUSE LOSS
Posted on April 13, 2009Daniel Futch Sentinel: Daniel Futch, longtime Broward judge, dies at 75 (thanks to "Judge Futch Died this Weekend")
STATUS THURSDAY @ 1:00 PM
Posted on April 13, 2009Do you smell blood?The Omar Loureiro saga gets more interesting every day.Today the 17th Circuit State Attorney's Office confirmed that it is their intention to hire Bruce Rogow to represent them in the Palm Beach proceedings. What for? That's anyone's guess, although Scheinberg worked for them when this all supposedly went down, while whistle-blower Sheila Alu currently hangs her shingle at the SAO...
SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE GOOD ASAs
Posted on April 10, 2009"What's the problem? They get to wear jeans...
BAD FRIDAY FOR GARDINER & SCHEINBERG
Posted on April 10, 2009HERALDInvestigation ordered into conduct of Broward judge, prosecutor"Michael Tenzer, Loureiro's lawyer during the initial trial, said he believed the Supreme Court has done the right thing.''If they are true,'' Tenzer said of the allegations, ``I would suspect that something should be done...
ECON 101/MAKE SATZ PAY TOO
Posted on April 09, 2009ST. PETE TIMESIRS may have bad news for double-dippers "IRS regulations prohibit employees who have not reached normal retirement age from collecting retirement benefits unless they are bona fide retirees and have terminated employment with no anticipation of continuing to work at the same job, according to a Washington tax lawyer who advises Florida pension officials...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on April 08, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 4-8-09Phillips - Remand to Dismiss w/o Prejudice Horowitz - Reversed and RemandedLevenson - No DJ Preclusion Backman - Reversed and RemandedGarcia-Wood - Affirmed in part; Reversed in part Rodriguez-Powell - Habeus Petition Dismissed"We dismiss the petition...
AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN, DO IT AGAIN...
Posted on April 08, 2009Title courtesy of The Bird and The BeeFor your viewing pleasure, please enjoy Cheryl Aleman's Public Reprimand, Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again & Again Again & Again & Again (ALEMAN VIDEO: Choose your media player under "April 7, 2009")...
RECEIPT
Posted on April 08, 2009It's true - the SAO is now charging for Discovery.Is it on all cases? The one we got is from ROC/CCU, dated April 3rd.Here's the lingo:"Discovery material in the above-referenced case is available for viewing or you may wish to have a copy by executing the original of this receipt and return it with a check payable to the State of Florida...
REAM & SUGAR
Posted on April 07, 2009Enjoy your coffee this morning with a little ream and sugar.Judge Aleman will be holding her head low at 9:00 AM.Here's the link: http://www.wfsu.org/gavel2gavel/index.phpAnd check out everyone's favorite walking soundbite, Howard Finkelstein, in the Herald:``I think it's very important that judges understand that they are judges and not God...
THE SEVENTEENTH
Posted on April 07, 2009The Online Newsletter of the State Attorney's Office, 17th CircuitAPRIL, 2009"SAO employees wil likely avoid any more furlough days this budget year ending June 30..."SENTINELBroward judge reprimanded live online for misconduct featuring The Transcript...
VERY MYSTERIOUS...
Posted on April 07, 2009The saga of Omar Loureiro continues. Sources tell us he's out of Broward County's jurisdiction for the time being, apparently set before a Palm Beach judge for his upcoming evidentiary hearing. We could not, however, find any listing for "Omar Loureiro" on the Palm Beach Clerk's website...
MEET JUDGE MERRIGAN
Posted on April 07, 2009We're being told that Edward Merrigan replaces County Court Judge Robert Zack.No official word from the Governor's Office yet, but not a surprising development. Congratulations To All The Finalists:Melinda Brown, Brenda DiIoia, Jorge Hurtado, Christopher Pole, and Michael Robinson...
LEVINE & GERBER TO THE 4TH
Posted on April 07, 2009GOVERNOR CRIST APPOINTS JUDGE JONATHAN GERBER AND SPENCER LEVINE TO FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL Press ReleasePolitics as UsualCongrats to the winners and to Judge Rosenberg, who was the other 17th Circuit candidate still in contention.ZACK'S REPLACEMENT TO BE OFFICIALLY NAMED MOMENTARILYNYT: Jail in Florida, other states, if you can't pay court costsNYT: State Law to Cap Public Defenders? Caseloads, but Only in the City NYT Editorial: The New Debtors? Prisons NYT: Dismayed Lawyers Lay Out Reasons for Collapse of the Stevens Conviction NYT: 40 Years on, It?s Woodstock ?The Brand? NYT: The Lines a German Won?t Cross NYT Book Review: Stones' hanger-on Bill GermanDBR: Seminole tribe holds all the cards in legal disputesFlorida high court ruling could restrict access to digital recordings of trials Brevard: Intoxilyzer may topple convictions
JAABCAM
Posted on April 07, 20091.) Grady ducks the camera Friday, while speaking to his attorneys Grossman & Milian (DUI cop defended by DUI charged lawyer - another "only in Broward" first!); 2.) Guiness Book World Record Holder Steve Plant (87 continuances in one day); 3.) Tobin & Seiler at Friday's Courthouse Task Force meeting; 4...
ANOTHER DUBIOUS HONOR FOR SATZ VAN WINKLE
Posted on April 05, 2009"Zzzzzzzzzzzz"Min/mans for junkies policy a miserable failure; Recent statements to Grand Jury obviously in reaction to mounting outside pressure; Will Satz follow-through and prosecute powerful businessmen/doctors, and stop preying on the poor and sick? Will he stop wasting our resources on senseless, expensive and ineffective prosecutions?HERALDBroward County has become the painkiller capital of the United States ''We are source-supplying many other states...
NOT SO FAST...
Posted on April 04, 2009Fly me to the moon...THE SUPREME COURT HAS RELINQUISHED JURISDICTION IN OMAR LOUREIRO vs. STATE OF FLORIDA .AN EVIDENTIARY HEARING WILL BE HELD BEFORE JUDGE BACKMAN, TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS PROSECUTORIAL AND JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT DURING LOUREIRO'S DEATH PENALTY TRIAL...
CARMEL ON THE CASE TONIGHT
Posted on April 03, 2009CHANNEL SEVEN NEWS, FRIDAY AT 6 & 10 Get your Tivos Runnin' and...
TWO COUNTS MM BATTERY FOR GRADY
Posted on April 02, 2009Deputy Charles Grady charged by Information in 09-007521-MM10A. (No police report in the file - both alleged victims are female) SHADES OF ADDERLEY OR THE PROPER CHARGES? STAY TUNED...
JAABCAM
Posted on April 02, 20091) Berkowitz, Kulik, and Lewis picking a jury for the third time in the same DP case today; 2) Lou Toman,witness to history, strikes a pensive pose (how about our mood lighting Lou?); 3) George Allen behind the wheel of his trademark Rolls Silver Spur, without his trademark hat; 4) BrowardBeat...
A HIGHLY CYNICAL PLOY
Posted on April 01, 2009A lawyer since 2003After years of rumors and comments on our humble little blog, and a press release yesterday by Buddy Nevins, the Backman family has made it official.Newbie lawyer Jeffrey Backman has signed up to run for County Court...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on April 01, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED APRIL 1ST, 2009M. Kaplan - Affirmed Phillips - Reversed and RemandedON MOTION TO ENFORCE MANDATE - State Fails To Act In Timely Fashion (Backman)Bidwill - Reversed and Remanded Gates - Petition Granted "Petitioner Chay Alexander challenges his bond totaling $1,251,100...
BACDL HARRY GULKIN AWARD DINNER
Posted on March 30, 2009The Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Cordially requests your presence at the Harry Gulkin Award Dinner Honoring the late Honorable Howard Zeidwig and the late Honorable Charles Kaplan Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 5:30 PM at the Tower Club One Financial Plaza, 28th Floor, Fort Lauderdale, Florida $100 per person Business Attire $50 gov't employees Complimentary Valet Seating is limited RSVP by April 8, 2009 If you wish to attend please print out the attachment and mail the response card and your check to: Teresa Williams, 633 S...
BELINDA FIGHTS BACK
Posted on March 27, 2009TMZCrying Anna Nicole Judge Accused of Abuse"Larry's wife, Belinda, tells us the caretaker is really a housekeeper -- not a nurse. Belinda says she and Larry don't live with the old lady, have nothing to do with her care, but did recommend to the agency which supplies nurses for Barbara's care that the caretaker wasn't up to the job and that she return to housekeeping duties...
COURTHOUSE LOSS
Posted on March 27, 2009Warner Olds (circa 1970)Olds, Warner Smith, passed away on March 24, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer, which he endured with great strength and humor. Son of Leslie and Ruth (Mauldin), he was born on August 14, 1937, in Cordele, Georgia, a place he described as "the watermelon capital of the world...
ATTICUS DEAN
Posted on March 26, 2009Clement Dean after the hearingAttorney Clement Dean successfully mitigated Toderick Raymond's 25 + 5 sentence this afternoon before Judge Dale Cohen. The sentence now stands at 17 years Florida State Prison, followed by 13 years of probation...
JAABCAM
Posted on March 26, 20091) Retired Court Deputy Tim Sullivan pays a visit to his old kingdom; 2) The always patient Brenda;3) John Charles Reasee II led into Geoff Cohen's courtroom the day after being foiled by Batman;4) The old rooftop inmate rec area from when the Main Jail was housed on the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors of the old courthouse (view from outside Eileen O'Connor's courtroom on the 8th floor); 5) The Law Library build-outfinally opened Tuesday, featuring spacious riverfront study areas (sorry, Doc); 6) Some poor slob lost his teeth up by Conte (luckily, bologna is easily gummed).
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on March 25, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 3-25-09 Backman - Affirmed Backman - Reversed in part and remandedGardiner - Affirmed in part, Reversed in part, and Remanded Weinstein - Affirmed, but RemandedRodriguez-Powell - Affirmed Weinstein & Levenson - Reversed and RemandedBowman - Reversed and remanded (Does not include PCAs)TX: Keller shifts blame for execution blunderAttention all Broward Judges and Bruce Rogow: Yale Law School searching for a new dean (good luck)OK: Goniff ex-judge convicted of indecent exposure fights to have his pension reinstated Frank explains why he called Scalia a homophobeMeasure Aims To Divert Mentally Ill From Florida CourtsPB Post: Judge Moreno allows reporters to blog, email and text from courthouses (but not courtrooms)Florida Bar News: Senate revamps court, clerk funding bill Florida Bar News: Bill to do away with depositions for third degree felonies moves Florida Bar News: Cameras in Florida's Courts 30 years and countingAdam Liptak: Justices Seem Skeptical of Scope of Campaign Law British judges fight against introduction of sentencing guidelines
4TH LEANING TOWARD FINKELSTEIN
Posted on March 24, 2009IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA March 24, 2009CASE NO.: 4D09-1033L.T. No. : 09-5449 CF10ATONUYA RAINEY Appellant/Petitioner(s) v. AL LAMBERTI, AS SHERIFF OF BROWARD COUNTY, ET AL Appellee / Respondent(s)...
TUESDAY NOTES: FIGHT!
Posted on March 24, 2009Did anyone else hear about the fight in Judge Richard's courtroom this morning? We don't have the specifics, but Ian apparently got off the bench, physically separated the warring couple, and then resumed court without blinking an eye. Never a dull moment in Domestic Violence, as jujitsu Geoff can also tell you...
Rainey Writ of Habeas Corpus (Finkelstein v. Hurley)
Posted on March 23, 2009HAMZE VERDICT @ 4:25 - GUILTY VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER(another lousy overcharge bites the dust)Emergency Petition for Writ of Habeas CorpusAppendix (Police Reports, Transcript, etc.)
MEDIA 3/23
Posted on March 23, 2009DAILY BUSINESS REVIEWCommentary by Howard Forman: "Clerks of court secure integrity of public records""Judges are the ultimate authority over what happens in their courtrooms and the undisputed finders of fact in the cases they hear. It is appropriate and protective that a disinterested third party, independently elected by and answerable to the public ? the clerk ? maintains and protects the court records...
STATUTE SMATUTE
Posted on March 22, 2009Moola, the Cash Cow"Nobody wants less cases more than me." -Public Defender Howard FinkelsteinCould the Juvenile Division once again become the biggest cash cow in town for criminal attorneys? Are the days of milk and honey once again upon us? And is it true the private bar's favorite bogeyman, Howard Finkelstein, is the bestower of the gift?A little background is in order first...
THIS IS WRONG - DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN MR. SATZ
Posted on March 21, 2009Victoria RomanSENTINELHollywood woman accused of biting courtroom deputy"A Hollywood woman is accused of biting a courtroom deputy who tried to separate her from her fiance after she was sentenced to five years in prison...Roman's newest charges are battery and obstructing with violence, a first-degree misdemeanor and a third-degree felony, respectively...
ADIOS AMIGO
Posted on March 20, 2009Mr. & Mrs. Zack with Wayne Spath; Room 400 decked out for the occasion; One road leads to another... FRIDAY WAS BOB ZACK'S LAST DAY - GOOD LUCK TO THE ZACK FAMILY!FRIDAY NOTES:Still no new judge to replace Judge Zack...
"ARROGANT, DISCOURTEOUS, AND IMPATIENT"
Posted on March 19, 2009The Girl Can't Help It...Judge Cheryl Aleman is back in the news. Not so coincidentally, she was also recently back in the criminal division, covering weekend First Appearances last Saturday and Sunday. Today's tale of woe involves attorney David Sale (son of former Watergate Special Prosecutor Jon A...
JAABCAM
Posted on March 19, 20091) Jay Hurley and retired Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero at the 110 Tower (Th);2) Every judges' worst nightmare - Carmel and Anthony on the Case (Tues.); 3) Fred #1 flashes the "1000 Not Guiltys" smile; 4) Fred #2 behind the wheel of his RV; 5) What's in the bag outside the SAO Investigators' office?...
SUPER LOBBYIST RON BOOK'S FAIRY PRINCESS WEDDING!
Posted on March 19, 2009Kristopher's family gave the couple a 1.3 million dollar houseCourtesy of "Ron Book is a waste ":Lauren & Kristopher's damn near $1,000,000 wedding is featured on the WE Network's "Platinum Weddings" show. If you have Comcast Cable, you can check it out On Demand (Episode 325)...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS: PD 1, RCC 0
Posted on March 18, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED MARCH 18, 2009:Lynch - Reversed and remanded for consistent proceedings Henning - AffirmedGold - Remand (can't give W/H and prison on YO sentences) Lynch - Reverse/RemandWho shall represent the indigent defendant on his direct appeal? "For the above reasons, we grant the PD?s motion for leave to withdraw by separate order and direct that the RCC ?shall handle the appeal...
JAABCAM
Posted on March 16, 20091) Monday was the first day for the "Lawyers & Employees" door at the Main Entrance; 2) Pompano's world famous "Vag Plaza"; 3) Young upstart reporter Derek Hayward gives his best pouty-face during the Salesman (mis) trial; 4) Post-contested election world reality: First Appearances judges get big, TV friendly signs; 5) Larry Seidlin's former 8th floor juvenile courtroom - on a quiet day you can still hear him ask Asian parents if their kid is "good at math"; 6) The changing of the guard continues.
PSCC PRESSURE COOKER
Posted on March 16, 2009The PSCC met last Thursday. This was a relatively star studded event, as far as our little courthouse community goes. It was also funner than usual, with Chief Judge Tobin letting off a lot of pent up steam toward the SAO and his old nemesis Howard Forman (who left early)...
RIGHT ON!
Posted on March 16, 2009Judge Paul Backman takes a courageous stand few judges would...Once in a while you get shown the light,In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Garcia/HunterSENTINELWrongly imprisoned Florida man seeks state compensationBackman's Order"Leroy McGee spent three years and seven months in prison for a robbery he didn't commit...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on March 16, 2009Extraditions will never be the same; Kaplan comes through (again)The letter Howard Finkelstein sent to Chief Judge Tobin regarding the recent misfortune in Judge Feren's courtroom is found here...
A NEW JUDICIAL LOW
Posted on March 13, 2009Tongues have been wagging all week about a troubling issue out of the juvenile division. This story is one that could have been avoided and must be immediately remedied for the future .On Monday, a juvenile in-custody defendant was forced to urinate in court, because no one was available to take him to the restroom...
TECHNICAL VIOLATION NOTIFICATION LETTER
Posted on March 13, 2009The "Technical Letter" procedure for violations of probation is now in place in Broward County. As first reported in October, 2008, Judge Holmes and the DOC's Thomas Sharrard developed the letter to replace the system of an automatic warrant being filed for a judge's signature on every violation...
JAABLOG'S ONCE UPON A TIME (COURTESY HOLLAND & NORMAN)
Posted on March 13, 2009"Let the Jury Decide!"As we were contemplating how to write up the most recent high profile overcharged Satz piece of garbage case filing since the Homeless Beating case, we found a beautiful JAABLOG'S ONCE UPON A TIME, all dressed up and delivered with a bow by our old friends Bob Norman and John Holland...
BSO NO LONGER TO SEGREGATE IC PROGRAMS
Posted on March 13, 2009LETTER: Finkelstein to Lamberti "(On March 9th), we received word that the individuals in protective custody due to feminine characteristics will be receiving equal access to programs. Nevertheless, we continue to maintain that involuntary segregation of these individuals in unnecessary, wrong and hurtful...
MONTHLY JURY TRIAL REPORTS FOR FEBRUARY 2009
Posted on March 13, 2009February 2 thru February 27 2009 Data "obtained from the Clerk of Courts in the assigned divisions" and distributed by Jury Administration on a monthly basis to all Circuit and County Court Judges.*Jury must be sworn to count as a trial, whether or not a verdict is reached**If a judge is not listed, he/she did not preside over a trial in February*Circuit Court:Civil: 30 TrialsCriminal: 68 TrialsCounty Court:Civil: 5 TrialsCriminal: 10 TrialsDUI: 12 TrialsALEMAN: 1 Civil Trial/5 days/5 days avg days per trialBACKMAN: 6 Crim Trials/14 days/2...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on March 11, 2009*Stan's the Man*OPINIONS RELEASED 3-11-09Rothschild: Affirmed in Part; Reversed in Part Levenson: AffirmedLevenson: We grant the petition for a writ of habeas corpus - manifest injusticeEade: Denied in part; Dismissed in part; and Redesignated and Affirmed in partCOMING ATTRACTIONS: JUDGE KAPLAN TELLS ASA TO APOLOGIZE TO DEFENDANT FOR LONG TERM LOCKUP WITH NO EVIDENCEWEDNESDAY MARCH 11The Governor's people interviewed the candidates for Zack's seat on Tuesday; expect an announcement any minute now, if it hasn't been made already...
JAABLOG'S ONCE UPON A TIME
Posted on March 09, 2009Part II in JAABLOG's series "Why Mike Satz stopped speaking to the press":PROSECUTOR FOR LIFE by Larry Keller SUNSHINE MAGAZINE July 7, 1996Copyright 1996 The Sun-Sentinel CompanyWhat is it that drives powerful prosecutor Michael J. Satz?It's a secret he's not sharing...
MONDAY NOTES
Posted on March 08, 2009"I gotta pick my nose, you're not gonna shoot me are you?"The comedic stylings of a very drunk out of custody defendant (pictured and quoted above) resulted in a weekend stay in the Broward County Jail. Unlike the last time we reported on a hammered defendant, Friday's offender was loud, obnoxious, and thoroughly disruptive to the running of a very thick docket...
JQC CLEARS LABARGA
Posted on March 06, 2009The JQC has cleared Supreme Court Justice Jorge Labarga of any wrongdoing in Labarga v. Kollin.Click the link for the JQC's letter. Sorry Gary. Pretty tough odds, but showing great courage taking on a 4th DCA/Supreme Court Justice.
"DO NOT RECORD"/ADIOS DEPOS?
Posted on March 06, 2009BACDL's Adam Dougherty was kind enough to gather and provide the following information for all interested criminal defense attorneys:QUESTION:What numbers are currently registered by the Broward jails as "do not record" attorney phone lines? ANSWER:"All official bar listed phone numbers for all attorneys in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach are captured, and therefore bypass the electronic recording system...
JAABCAM
Posted on February 26, 20091) DeHart and Thurston don't want to hear about some silly blog; 2) Press corps gears up for the Salesman trial; 3) Is it legal?; 4) Look what the cat killed and gave to Perry; 5) Roz in the house; 6) Glassman, Salesman, and Schwartzreich mid-trial.
JUDGE KAPLAN: "THIS IS CRAP"
Posted on February 26, 2009Judge Stanton Kaplan sets an exampleCop sees man sleeping by a shopping cart on the side of the road in Tamarac. Cop orders man to come over to where he is standing. Man objects, cop puts his hand on the man. The man allegedly shoves the cop...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on February 25, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 2-25-09Luzzo - Affirmed in part; Reversed in part and Remanded Siegel - reverse denial of motions (CTS issue)Backman - Affirm 3.800(a) NYT: Citing Cost, States Consider End to Death Penalty NYT Editorial: And Unequal Justice for Some (Immigration)NYT: An Immigration Attorney Is Accused of Being a Fraud, and His Clients Scramble for Help Congressman wants disgraced fed judge Kent impeached and stripped of retirementSentinel: PB corruption investigation (coming soon to a theater in Broward)Sentinel on Martinez disqualificationDBR: Should Florida end or alter mandatory retirement age for judges?"Broward Chief Circuit Judge Victor Tobin referred to the law as ?a double-edged sword...
FRIENDS OF "DOUBLE DOMER" RON DALLAS
Posted on February 25, 2009March 17, 1951- February 6, 2009Hello Friends-We would like to enlist your support in honoring the memory of our dear friend Ron Dallas with a lasting tribute on the University of Notre Dame campus (UND). We thought it would be special and appropriate to sponsor an outdoor bench near the Notre Dame Law School with a commemorative brass plate remembering Ron...
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR...
Posted on February 25, 2009*SB 2020 - Public Officials/Salary/Bonuses (REDUCES JUDGES BY 5%)*Reduces the compensation of certain public officials for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Prohibits the payment of bonuses to such persons. Provides for future legislative review.(Did somebody in Tallahassee decide The JAABLOG Challenge is good for everyone?)HB 383 - Discovery DepositionsProvides that discovery deposition may not be taken in case in which defendant is charged only with felony of third degree, misdemeanor, or criminal traffic offense when all other discovery provided by law has been completed; provides exception for good cause; requires trial court to consider certain factors before allowing deposition...
STRANGE BUT TRUE
Posted on February 24, 2009Herald: Miami-Dade courthouse plaque apologizes for segregationWhile the Broward Criminal Courts maintain a statue of a man who wanted to exile all African-Americans
4TH DCA BACKS LEBOW
Posted on February 24, 2009State v. Martinez "Even if we were to conclude that Weir and Gaines are not controlling and that extraordinary writ jurisdiction may be invoked to review an order entered after a criminal trial commences, we would deny the petition in this case because the trial court did not depart from the essential requirements of law...
JAABLOG'S ONCE UPON A TIME
Posted on February 24, 2009IRON FIST by David Nickell XS Magazine October 19-25, Copyright 1994 Gold Coast Publications Inc.Michael Satz, the most powerful elected official in Broward County, inspires fear in defendants and employees alikeRun afoul of the law in Broward County - be it ignoring a stop sign or shooting your brother-in-law - and you will quickly discover the awesome power of a short, bald, humorless, middle-aged, little-known politician named Michael J...
THIS IS NOT A DRILL
Posted on February 23, 2009Oh, the humanity!The courthouse fire alarms are currently going off...this is not a drill...the cafeteria has definitely burned something as the halls are thick with a delicious bouquet of smoke...repeat, this is not a drill...UPDATE:At 12:35 the all clear sounds - "we have determined there is no emergency...
MEDIA 2/22
Posted on February 22, 2009WA Post: SCOTUS to Debate Whether Convicts Should Be Guaranteed Access to Latest DNA TechniquesFirst ever trial of federal judge over sex charges starts todayNaked driver gets probation (TN)Law.com: Tough Cases Await U.S. Supreme Court Justices60 Minutes: Drinking Age Debate - 18 or 21? (Video)LA Times: Scientists' conduct leaves Spector's defense team vulnerable to criticismHerald: Aventura resident suing city over traffic camerasHerald: Driver in fatal Miami-Dade crash was cited 29 times in eight yearsHerald Opinion: Punish DUI drivers and bars that serve themHerald: Key charge against lawyer Ben Kuehne likely to be dismissedHerald: Mentally ill in jail in a new crisisMiami New Times: Dade Tries Out Jail/Hospital Combo for Mentally IllMiami New Times: Bad guys, party on! Three of Miami's best prosecutors are getting the boot (Rumpole)Sentinel: Art Marchetta v...
ANDY SIEGEL: WITNESS
Posted on February 20, 2009The strange case of Kevin Bradley gets weirder. Bradley, the man tased in open court while shackled and chained, is being prosecuted by the Broward State Attorney's Office for the incident. Click the link for the transcript, PC Affidavit, newspaper articles, and background...
JAABLOG RUMOR MILL
Posted on February 20, 2009Will Governor Crist ask for more names to be sent up to replace Judge Zack?We've heard the northern powers had anticipated Judge Zack's county court seat going to an African-American female. Surprise, surprise, the local JNC sent up only one African-American, the decidedly male Mike Robinson...
JAABCAM
Posted on February 19, 20091) Clerk's Office gets tough (yeah, right); 2) Finkelstein and Cavanagh model suits by Mark's Big & Small; 3) Arlene & Bo; 4) Room 241 remodeled and ready for action; 5) 1st Step Sober House morning huddle; 6) Judge Hurley safe behind the chicken wire...
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Posted on February 18, 2009Disproportionate Minority Contact in the Juvenile Justice System:Broward County Training/Forum: March 27th & 28thThe Department of Juvenile Justice is conducting a Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Training on March 27th, 2009 from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the North Broward Regional Service Center and a Community Forum on March 28th, 2009, from 9:00 to 2:00pm at the Mizzel Center...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on February 18, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 2-18-09Kevin Companion strikes out Backman - Affirmed Backman - Habeus DeniedAramony/Tuter - Affirmed Backman - Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remandedS...
MEDIA 2/17
Posted on February 17, 2009BrowardBeat.com: Officer Donald Rosen - The Kissing CopTexas State Rep wants appeals court judge removed for failing to allow DP filingPolanski hearing puts focus on documentary filmmakerMeet Amy Brian, the only person ever discharged from the Kansas National Guard under ?don?t ask, don?t tell? NYT: Roberts Sets Off Debate on Judicial Experience NYT: Civil Rights Hero, Now a Judge, Is Indicted in a Bribery Case NYT: Class action in PA judicial kickback caseUSA Today tackles W...
UPCOMING EVENTS
Posted on February 17, 2009Commodore Krumme welcomes you aboard! Everyone, As you are aware the BACDL "Meet the Judges" luncheon is scheduled for 2/19/09 at noon at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club. The Lunch is free as it is being sponsored. Most Judges have responded they are coming...
MPRE SAMPLE QUESTIONS 1-5 (BROWARD EDITION)
Posted on February 15, 2009The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is required for admission to the bars of all but four US jurisdictions...The purpose of the NCBE Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is to measure the examinee's knowledge and understanding of established standards related to a lawyer's professional conduct; thus, the MPRE is not a test to determine an individual's personal ethical values...
MONTHLY JURY TRIAL REPORTS FOR JANUARY 2009
Posted on February 13, 2009January 5 thru January 30 2009 Data "obtained from the Clerk of Courts in the assigned divisions" and distributed by Jury Administration on a monthly basis to all Circuit and County Court Judges.*Jury must be sworn to count as a trial, whether or not a verdict is reached**If a judge is not listed, he/she did not preside over a trial in January*Circuit Court:Civil: 26 TrialsCriminal: 64 TrialsCounty Court:Civil: 4 TrialsCriminal: 9 TrialsDUI: 9 TrialsALEMAN: 1 Civil Trial/2 days/2 days avg days per trialBACKMAN: 4 Crim Trials/8 days/2 avgBIDWILL: 3 Crim Trials/12 days/4 avgBOBER: 3 crim/7 days/2...
YOU DON'T MESS AROUND WITH VIC
Posted on February 13, 2009Vic has played his trump card in the Turf War! with Howard Forman. From the Administrative Order signed today, and posted on the door of Room 235: "Courtroom 235 shall continue in use for First Appearance Hearings and such other judicial proceedings as may be authorized by the undersigned as chief judge...
COUNTY CRIMINAL & JUVENILE CASE LOADS
Posted on February 12, 2009Now we know why this man is always smiling..."Case Load For Criminal Trials/Calendar Calls" Run Date: 2/9/09 @ 18:03:48MA/GEHL - 653MB/IRELAND - 600MD/SEIDMAN - 210MH/COWART - 610MI/L WREN MH - 17MT/L WREN CRIM - 708MJ/DIAZ - 623MM/ROBINSON - 702MP/ROSS - 363MQ/BERMAN - 711MS/LAZARUS - 835MV/RICHARDS - 985MW/MURPHY - 836(According to the Clerk's Office and Court Administration, the Satellite judges' case loads are not tracked in this fashion...
ANOTHER FLOOD?
Posted on February 12, 2009Cleanup this AM outside Beilly and Schlissel Manson Family gets courthouse painting contractWe're hearing there may have been a flood up on the seventh floor...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS/WH & COURT COSTS IS BACK
Posted on February 11, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 2-11-09Imperato - Reversed and RemandedM. Kaplan - Reversed and Remanded for an evidentiary hearingO'Connor - affirm on all claims, but without prejudiceCocco v. PritcherBackman - Reversed and RemandedS. Kaplan - Affirmed in part, reversed and remanded in partM...
*DUI STATS*
Posted on February 10, 2009Our thanks to "R" who wrote today @ 2:23 PM under JAABLOG entry "The Numbers Are In":"(See) Page #18 of the PDF version of County Criminal Stats. It's the page labeled Convictions. At the bottom under the chart is this interesting asterisked phrase:*Criminal Traffic and DUI dispositions are not included...
UPCOMING EVENTS
Posted on February 10, 2009WHAT: BACDL'S MEET THE JUDGES LUNCHEON - Featuring Newly Appointed & Elected JudgesWHEN: Thursday, February 19 @ 12:00 PMWHERE: Coral Ridge Yacht Club, 2800 Yacht Club Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Lunch Will Be ServedRSVP: TWilliamslaw@Comcast...
THE NUMBERS ARE IN: SATZ REMAINS "THE BIGGEST LOSER"
Posted on February 09, 2009Satz gets another failing grade"Michael does not work well with others and shows little to no interest in getting help for his problems. He does not seem aware of the things going on around him."The most recent Trial Court Statistics are available through the Florida State Courts website...
MEDIA WEEKEND
Posted on February 08, 2009BROWARDBEAT.COMJudicial Robing Ceremony Draws Big Crowd; Many Pols*(JAABLOG loves you too, Buddy)*NATIONAL LAW JOURNALAre lawyers' First Amendment rights being unfairly limited?"Florida attorney Sean Conway, the lawyer who called a judge an "evil witch" on a blog, echoed similar concerns...
COURTHOUSE LOSS
Posted on February 07, 2009Ron Dallas has passed away. This is, as Howard put it, a "deep and heavy loss."Ron was one of the kindest men to ever grace our courthouse.Funeral is likely to be next Saturday.God Bless.Whom the gods love dies young
ASA JEFF DRISCOLL
Posted on February 07, 2009Our apologies to the friends and family of Jeff Driscoll. We did not work with Mr. Driscoll, but we should have been aware of his accomplishments and contribution to Broward County.Here is a note from one of his friends and colleagues who attended his funeral Friday:Mark Springer wrote @12:44 AM on February 7, 2009:"Jeff Driscoll, like Ryal Gaudiosi, was a good man...
ILONA TO THE RESCUE!
Posted on February 06, 2009Chief Criminal Judge Ilona HolmesJudge Holmes put a pin in our righteous indignation balloon Thursday morning by giving us the three page greenbar report of circuit felony judicial caseloads. We can't say for sure, but it seemed she was a little perturbed by the eighth floor antics...
SATZ'S FIVE & DIME
Posted on February 06, 2009Satz's candy store for the rich and powerful was closed today. The case of Eleanor Adderley is reset to March 27th for change of plea, due to continuing negotiations and upcoming doctors' reports.*N.J. Judge Faces Ethics Charges Over Affair With Bailiff**Information Age Saps Jurors' Attention* Bradford Cohen on Dr...
THE DAY IN PICTURES
Posted on February 06, 20091) Murphy, Bogenschutz, and Adderley; 2) "The Procession of the Judiciary" (Queer!); 3) Satz and Morton were the kids who sat in the last row of class (they remained through the whole thing but split right before the last speaker: Ian Richards...
SAO COMES CLEAN
Posted on February 06, 2009An email was reportedly sent by Lee Cohen throughout the State Attorney's Office at 12:56 this afternoon.The header referenced Deputy Charles Grady/Brady Notice.Mr. Cohen reportedly stated "please be advised that the above deputy is the subject of a criminal investigation by the Broward Sheriff's Office involving female complainants and a Brady Notice must be filed in all cases where he is a witness...
SUPREME COURT DINGS ABRAMSON
Posted on February 04, 2009Advisory Opinion To Governor Crist*Sentinel: State Supreme Court says new judge can't serve*(Kent up to more dirty tricks - backdating posts again - this went up today,dated yesterday. UPDATE: post appears to have been edited from its original contenttrashing JAABLOG for being a day late - even though the opinion was issued today!Oh well, we were kind of hard on the little feller yesterday...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on February 04, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 2-4-09Rodriguez-Powell - Reversed and remanded for a new trial Backman - Reverse and RemandBackman - Affirmed in part, Reversed in part, and Remanded Carney - Reverse and Remand
HAS ANYBODY SEEN CAROL LEE ORTMAN?
Posted on February 04, 2009It's a bird...it's a plane...it's Carole Lee Ortman!"I'm not a statistician, that's the Clerk's job.""File a public records request...and I will investigate to determine if they exist." -Alexandra Rieman General Counsel Court AdministrationOur query from last night seems to have caused a bit of a stir...
UPCOMING EVENTS
Posted on February 04, 2009WHAT: The Haitian Lawyers Association, Inc. Presents: "A Night Of Creole Elegance" 9th Annual Scholarship and Awards GalaWHEN: February 7, 2009, Cocktail Reception @ 6:30 PM, Dinner @ 7:00 PMWHERE: JW Marriott Hotel, 1109 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33131KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Judge Fred SeraphinHONOREES: Kathy Achilles, Roderick D...
THE SEVENTEENTH
Posted on February 03, 2009The Online Newsletter of the State Attorney's Office, 17th Judicial Circuit February 2009 "Remaining furlough days suspended this year"
KENT TO THE RESCUE
Posted on February 03, 2009I'll be your savior, steadfast and true I'll come to your emotional rescue I will be your knight in shining armor Coming to your emotional rescue -Jagger/Richards, Emotional Rescue Now listen, whoever comes to you with this Barzini meeting, he's the traitor...
SAVE THE DATE
Posted on February 03, 20099:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2009*SENTINEL: Fla. Supreme Court to reprimand Judge Aleman*
WHO HAS THE HIGHEST CASE COUNT?
Posted on February 03, 2009The Mysterious Greenbar Reports...Having retired our JAABWALKS for lack of anything left to prove, we here at JAABLOG figured it was about time to start monitoring the judges' case counts.Heck, anyone who has spent any time at all in a Broward criminal courtroom has heard a judge bragging about (or bemoaning) their case load...
EIGHTY-EIGHT PERCENT
Posted on February 03, 2009The jail population today was at its lowest point in as long as anyone can remember. Sources peg it at eighty-eight percent of capacity, with an average in the low nineties for the month of January.Arrests were trending lower toward the end of December, but this is not the only reason for the improvement...
GRADY'S BRADY?
Posted on February 02, 2009Most DUI practitioners are aware that BSO DUI Task Force Deputy Charles Grady has been suspended with pay. The problem is no one knows for sure why.Defense attorneys are filing motions, and judges are getting frustrated. The State has remained silent on the issue...
SIX NAMES SENT TO GOVERNOR FOR ZACK'S SEAT
Posted on February 02, 2009Melinda Brown, Brenda DiIoia, Jorge Hurtado, Ed Merrigan, Christopher Pole, and Michael Robinson.SAMPLE JNC QUESTIONS 2/2/091. This seat is likely to be a satellite position in Deerfield. Are you willing to travel or do you expect to be downtown?2...
15 MINUTES 'TIL LARRY
Posted on February 02, 2009Larry King Live just started (9:00 PM EST on CNN). Judge Larry is second guest, after the eight baby lady...______________________________________________________________________Seidlin: "If this was China we'd be setting one of your sons up with my daughter...
MAN DROWNS IN COURT
Posted on January 30, 2009About fifteen minutes ago a man ran from Judge Imperato's courtroom. He was to be taken into custody for a revoked bond. He ran down the stairwell. He was chased by law enforcement. He got outside, took his shirt off, and dove into a canal...
"SOB STORIES" PART DEUX
Posted on January 30, 2009Remember the beef between Judge Ireland and feisty young lawyer Meritxell Ros? It's apparently not over.It seems Judge Ireland has been acting a bit peeved toward Ms. Ros since the incident. The Order of Disqualification itself is a bit spicy: "This Court being required by Florida Rule of Judicial Administrative 2...
4th DCA APPLICANTS (TWO EMPTY SEATS)
Posted on January 30, 2009The following individuals have applied to the Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission for consideration and nomination to the Fourth District Court of Appeal:Katherine Barski, Esq., Ralph Behr, Esq., Jeanne C. Brady, Esq., Judge Reginald Corlew,Judge Jack Schramm Cox, Judge John Frusciante, Judge Jonathan D...
ALLEGED ASSAULT IN CUPAS CASE
Posted on January 30, 2009Someone who may have been a family member of the alleged victim in State v. Cupas is alleged to have assaulted Cupas and some of his wrestling team supporters fifteen minutes ago in the Courthouse. The trial before Judge Lebow recently broke for lunch...
KEVIN KULIK ON CANDIDATE ROCQUE
Posted on January 30, 2009kevin kulik wrote on January 30, 2009 at 4:22 PM:When I was a young ASA in 1987, Mickey Rocque was our newly assigned PD in Judge Moe's division. HI JUDGE MOE I'M MICKEY! ITS MY FIRST DAY! he said. We chuckled about how easy it would be for us with this new rookie...
CASE LAW UPDATES - January 31, 2009
Posted on January 30, 2009CRIMINAL CASES CIVIL CASES Courtesy of Florida Law Weekly Subscriptions (800) 351-0917
PUBLIC REPRIMAND FOR DO GOODER JUDGE BARNES
Posted on January 29, 2009Moral of the story: "If it's broken, don't fix it."The Supreme Court issued an opinion today calling for a Public Reprimand of St. Lucie Judge Clifford Barnes. His crime? Trying to fix the broken First Appearances procedure in his county...
BACDL IS FIRED UP
Posted on January 29, 2009The BACDL general membership meeting was held this afternoon. Russell Williams, Teresa Williams, John Howes, and Howard Finkelstein all spoke.The general theme: "We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore."Lots of plans in the works...
AND THEY'RE OFF!
Posted on January 29, 2009Attorney/Professor Mickey RocqueKevin Kulik is proud to present the first announced candidate for the next election cycle. The one and only Mickey Rocque will square off against a sitting judge in 2010.Good luck to Mickey. We can't think of a more qualified or conscientious candidate to serve Broward County...
SALT OF THE EARTH
Posted on January 29, 2009Frank and RyalRyal's courthouse friends invite you to raise a glass to Ryal's life at Brownie's after work Friday. Folks will begin gathering in the late afternoon (4:30 - 5:00), until whenever.Thirty years of war stories on tap so please drop on by...
STATE WANTS 8/DALE COHEN GIVES 25 + 5
Posted on January 29, 2009Toderick Raymond will be middle aged when he gets outTwenty-three year old Raymond was sentenced today after pleading open to Judge Dale Cohen. No trial, just an acceptance of responsibility and a heartfelt apology to the victim in court...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT OPINIONS
Posted on January 28, 2009Lynch - Reversed and remanded for consistent proceedings Levenson - AffirmedRosenberg - Affirmed Siegel - Reversed and remanded for resentencingM. Kaplan - Reversed and Remanded for further proceedings (Does not include PCAs)
WRIT FILED BY AG OVER LEBOW'S RECUSAL OF THE SAO
Posted on January 28, 2009EMERGENCY PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR WRIT OF PROHIBITIONFiled by Assistant Attorney General Melynda Melear on January 22, 2009. Background: LEBOW DISQUALIFIES 17th SAO (1/5/09)
LARRY SEIDLIN GMA VIDEO and LARRY KING FRIDAY NIGHT
Posted on January 28, 2009Former Yankees manager Joe Torre dishes on A-Rod and his old ball club. Plus, Judge Larry Seidlin! The Anna Nicole Smith judge tells all on Larry King Live! A STAR IS BORN! VIDEO: Larry on Good Morning America WednesdayABC News: Seidlin Says He's Still Recognized and Has Opportunities Available (Thanks to Mayo on the Side Blog) Larry interviewed by Diane Sawyer "There's a lot of stuff in the works"Does he or doesn't he? That is the question...
H.R.1
Posted on January 28, 2009" American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" BAILOUT No more rumors, No more stories, here it is! Do you AGREE or NOT? Voice your comment...
NEW JUDGES
Posted on January 27, 2009We got a call at 3:05 that the new circuit judges are McCarthy and Rodriguez...developing...will confirm.CONFIRMED: TWO NEW CIRCUIT JUDGES:JUDGE BARBARA MCCARTHY AND JUDGE CARLOS RODRIGUEZCONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FINALISTSother judge news: Sentinel: Supreme Court justices question if Abramson should be judge
HOMEWARD BOUND: FEB 8
Posted on January 27, 2009Enrique Reyes has a one way ticket back to Cuba for Saturday, February 8. Judge Gold is expected to bless a deal later this morning that will release Mr. Reyes in time for his flight. One special request of the defense: a mini DVD player, possibly to show pictures of his memorable stay in beautiful Broward County...
MEDIA 1/27
Posted on January 27, 2009Richard Fine, LA's very own Jack ThompsonDAILY BUSINESS REVIEWInside the High Court: Snitches and Jailbirds"...Kansas v. Ventris, involved whether testimony from a defendant's cellmate, who was cooperating with police, could be used to impeach the defendant at trial, or whether the admission of such evidence would violate the defendant's right to counsel...
PRETRIAL RELEASE ORDINANCE PASSES
Posted on January 27, 2009Ron Book and Commissioner Stacy Ritter rub noses before today's meetingA watered down version of the controversial Pretrial Ordinance pushed by lobbyist Ron Book and the Bond Industry has passed the County Commission, with amendments. BSO Pretrial Release will have new guidelines, but Judges should still have discretion to do as they please...
INTERVIEWS FOR ZACK'S SEAT
Posted on January 26, 2009THE 17TH JUDICIAL COUNTY COURT OF FLORIDA 2009 ? JUDGE ZACK VACANCY Interview schedule - February 2, 2009 Brown, Melinda Kirsch 12:10 p...
INSULT TO INJURY COURTESY OF MR. SATZ
Posted on January 26, 2009"The law is the law I tell you!"Remember Kevin Bradley, the Defendant who was zapped with a Taser in open court back in 2007? Reported in these pages on 3/28/07, and in the Sun Sentinel on 3/29/07?If you can't remember, he was on probation for two non-violent charges, Grand Theft, and Driving on a Suspended License...
DEAR MIKE, LOVE SCOTUS
Posted on January 26, 2009Belated Holiday GiftCHICAGO TRIBUNEJustices shield prosecutors from being sued for mistakesWASHINGTON - "The Supreme Court threw out a lawsuit Monday from a Los Angeles man who spent 24 years in prison for a murder he did not commit and ruled that county prosecutors are shielded from being sued, even if their management mistakes lead to mistaken convictions...
CASE LAW UPDATE
Posted on January 25, 2009CRIMINAL LAW Courtesy of Florida Law Weekly Subscriptions (800) 351-0917
MEDIA 1/25
Posted on January 25, 2009Guilty conscience? Canadian judge donates one million dollars...LAW.COMLivoti's Indictment in Huge Ponzi Scheme Shocks Legal Circles"Broward Circuit Judge (Geoffrey) Cohen said he has the utmost respect for Livoti. "I've known Tony for 20 years, and he's a very talented, accomplished attorney," said Cohen, who has been on the bench for 24 years...
FORMER AUSA MAKING THINGS BETTER
Posted on January 25, 2009Former prosecutor Mark OslerBaylor Professor Mark Osler is a busy man indeed. His most recent book, Jesus on Death Row, will be released in 2009. He blogs nearly every day, and publishes frequently (as every good Yale JD should)...
MORE FLOODS
Posted on January 23, 2009HERALDBurst pipe trashes SAO Juvy DivisionDAILY BUSINESS REVIEWTobin's State of the Circuit Address
MEDIA DOING SATZ'S JOB - AGAIN
Posted on January 22, 2009BOB NORMAN'S DAILY PULPRuss Klenet and Wife Stacy Ritter Mutually Benefited From Fraud"And (Klenet) is the guy that Broward Mayor Stacy Ritter comes home to every night? And they wonder why Broward County is such a corrupt and disgusting place? It gets worse...
COURTHOUSE LOSS
Posted on January 22, 2009OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY OF THE GREAT RYAL GAUDIOSIHUSBAND, FATHER, COMBAT VETERAN, WARRIOR LAWYER, MENTOR.HE FOUGHT SO THE REST OF US DIDN'T HAVE TO.WE LOVE YOU RYAL
4th DCA 17th CIRCUIT CRIMINAL OPINIONS
Posted on January 21, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 1-21-09Lazarus - Affirmed Backman - Reversed and Remanded Futch - Writ of Mandamus Granted in part, denied in part, and remanded
NOW YOU GOT NOTHING
Posted on January 21, 2009At least this guy still has a briefcaseJack Thompson is hereby banned from JAABLOG. His IP Address has been blocked. His posts under JAABLOG WELCOME made today, January 21st, have been removed. Any additional IP Addresses utilized by Thompson will be blocked, and subsequent posts will be removed at our earliest convenience...
FIEGER SHOULD HAVE SAID "DICTATORIALLY"
Posted on January 21, 2009Michigan Attorney Geoffrey Fieger, older brother of The Knack singer Doug FiegerAdd the terms "Jackasses" and "Eva Braun" to the do not use list that includes "Evil, unfair witch" when criticizing judges:CHICAGO TRIBUNEFieger loses case tied to criticism about judgesUS Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit Opinion (1/20/09)
BACDL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Posted on January 20, 2009The Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers requests all members attend the General Membership meeting.WHEN: THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009, 12:00 NOONWHERE: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, BROWARD COUNTY COURTHOUSEAGENDA: New Committee Structure and Sign Up, Calendar of Events, BACDL Communications, FACDL MembershipSPEAKER: HOWARD FINKELSTEIN, PUBLIC DEFENDERRSVP: TWILLIAMSLAW@COMCAST...
BLOG WAR!
Posted on January 20, 2009Norm Kent dressed for battle NORM KENT STARTS A KINDLER, GENTLER COURTHOUSE BLOGJohnny Come Lately Kent was not allowed to run our blog, so he started his own!From the new Broward County Courthouse Coalition Blog:"As you read the comments on JAABLOG, unmoderated, anonymous, and flowing with venom and vitriol, you get a feeling that everything about our system is unclean, unhealthy and untoward...
27 APPLY FOR ZACK'S COUNTY SEAT
Posted on January 20, 2009The JNC will meet Monday, February 2nd. Interviews will be announced thereafter. The applicants:Black-Barron, Karen E. Bloom, Michael S. Brown, Melinda Kirsch DeJesus, Shannon DiIoia, Brenda Francois, Phoebee R...
MEDIA 1/20
Posted on January 20, 20092009 Court HolidaysAbramson's BriefFlorida Bar's Brief vs. Abramson4th DCA JNC Accepting Applications for Two Vacancies Until 1/27PALM BEACH POSTEx-Florida Supreme Court Justices Argue Against AbramsonDAILY BUSINESS REVIEWFlorida Bar summit addressed need to keep fees in justice systemFees to rise, more job cuts coming4th DCA says Pothead Broward judge should not have heard divorce caseJoe Klock on the move -- againSome see conspiracy against Judge-elect AbramsonGovernor's Lawyer Speaks in BrowardJustices give cold shoulder to proposed Web rulesCase of judges squabble dropped but not deadLabarga's day-long gig on 4th DCA requires nominating panel to reconveneHERALD66 Florida probation officers laid offLevey Cohen to Run Again - This Time As CohenProfile: Dr...
CHIEF JUDGE TOBIN TO RUN UNOPPOSED
Posted on January 19, 2009Chief Judge Victor TobinChief Judge Victor Tobin will be unopposed in seeking a second term as Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit. The deadline to file for the position ended on January 16 at 4pm.Congratulations to Judge Tobin. But will he now work to amend the Local Rules to include term limits for the Chief Judge position?No word yet on where or when the inaugural ball will be held, but the annual State of the Circuit Luncheon is this Thursday, at the Tower Club...
A MESSAGE FROM KEVIN KULIK
Posted on January 14, 2009Kevin Kulik wrote on "Team Kulik 2010" at 1:03 PM on January 14, 2009:This post sounds vaguely anti-judge in general, which is misleading. Many judges are doing a good job and should be supported,especially if they get opposition from a lesser qualified candidate...
4TH DCA 17TH CIRCUIT CRIMINAL OPINIONS
Posted on January 14, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 1-14-09Levenson - Affirmed O'Connor - Affirmed in part; Reversed in part and RemandedLevenson - Writ of Prohibition Denied SPECIAL ISSUANCE OPINION 1-9Destry - Writ of Prohibition GrantedOPINIONS RELEASED 1-7-09Levenson - Reversed Siegel - Affirmed
AN OPEN LETTER TO JACK THOMPSON
Posted on January 13, 2009Miami New Times 2008 FinalistDear Jack,We hope this letter finds you well. We do, however, have some bad news for you.Your blogging rights are being curtailed. Our friends, supporters, and even sworn enemies have had enough of your incessant, narcissistic diatribes...
DIVISION FE NEWS
Posted on January 13, 2009Confirmed: Judge Ken Gillespie replaces former Judge Pedro Dijols.
GET A LOAD OF THIS...
Posted on January 13, 2009Rumpole rails against the Miami State Attorney's new policy of only dismissing DWLS cases at special set dockets. From the Justice Building Blog: OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY KATHERINE FERNANDEZ RUNDLEELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT STATE ATTORNEY Effective January 12, 2009, the Office of the State Attorney will ONLY Nolle Prosse Driving While License Suspended and No Valid Driver?s License (DWLS/NVDL) cases when a Defendant brings a valid Driver?s License to a ONE TIME ONLY,specially set, hearing docket...
TEAM KULIK 2010
Posted on January 13, 2009Balancing the ScalesKevin Kulik notified us he's putting together a list, and checking it more than twice.He is currently vetting ten candidates for the 2010 election season. "They're coming out of the woodwork," Kulik says, "after 2008, everyone knows how easy it is to win a judgeship...
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: "NO MORE SOB-STORIES"
Posted on January 13, 2009(UPDATE: Judge Ireland disqualified herself. Tell your clients, and pray the computer doesn't reassign the case to Judge Seidman's division.)Judge Ireland will rule at 1:30 PM on two Motions for Disqualification filed this morning. The relevant facts:"1...
Judge Kaplan?s Farewell Party a Never Ending Show of Bad Jokes
Posted on January 12, 2009Gold watches are for wimps ? Guilty, Guilty,? One, Two, Three? - Judge Kaplan testing the microphone Saturday night By Normisimo KentisimoJAABLOG?s New Dining Out and Entertainment CriticThe roast and dinner last Saturday night at the Signature Grand was truly an evening for Stan Kaplan...
JAABLOG RUMOR MILL
Posted on January 12, 2009We're baaack...after a long layoff we're happy to report that Judge Ana Gardiner may have recently received some most excellent news. Congratulations are in order, but before we see her smiling face back in the criminal division, we might want to wait for the Supreme Court to rule on Mr...
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Posted on January 12, 2009Who will be Charlie's successor?The JNC sent the following six names to the Governor to choose from for Charlie Kaplan's successor:David Haimes, Michael Hursey, Barbara McCarthy, Edward Merrigan, Carlos Rodriguez, and Raag Singhal.In addition to the original applicant pool for the Andrews and Zeidwig seats, Steven Hyatt, Jordan Jordan, and Sharon Mulane put their names in for consideration...
JASON GONZALEZ SPEAKS
Posted on January 11, 2009He was studying and networking while you were doing kegstandsJason Gonzalez, Governor Crist's General Counsel, spoke Friday at T.J. Reddick's Three of Ninety meeting.The event was well attended. Judges in the audience included Chief Judge Tobin, and Judges Tuter, Dishowitz, Backman, Gillespie, and Williams...
THURSDAY'S PSCC MEETING
Posted on January 08, 2009The Public Safety Coordinating Council met today. The jail occupancy rate averaged 94% of capacity in October, 92% in November, and 91% in December. There was a steep decline in overall monthly arrests toward the end of the year, dipping below 5000...
MEET JUDGE GILLESPIE
Posted on January 07, 2009Welcome Judge Ken Gillespie.Congrats to all the finalists!
GAIN INSIGHT INTO THE PROCESS
Posted on January 07, 2009The T.J. Reddick Bar Association Presents: THREE OF NINETYThe State of the African-American Judiciary in Broward County PART III: General Meeting & Guest Speaker:Jason Gonzalez - Governor Crist's General Counsel"JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS & MORE"WHEN: Friday, January 9, 2009 at 12:00 PMWHERE: African-American Research Library 2650 Sistrunk Blvd...
THE SEVENTEENTH/ROBERTS SPEAKS
Posted on January 07, 2009January, 2009The Online Newsletter of the State Attorney's Office, 17th CircuitBOB NORMAN'S DAILY PULPJudge Larry Seidlin Slithers Away"Roberts, who was once one of Seidlin's close friends, has always said that it was Seidlin's exploitation of the widow that prompted him to (very reluctantly) come forward...
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
Posted on January 07, 2009The Honorable Richard Yale FederJack Thompson of Coral Gables earlier this week posted comments regarding his thoughts on Dade jurist, the Honorable Richard Feder, who is sitting for Judge Bober this week. Thompson blogged of Feder "This guy is a menace," who supports the possession of child porn...
DOCUMENTS IN STATE V. MARTINEZ
Posted on January 06, 2009Order Granting Stay of ProceedingsState's Motion To Stay ProceedingsLebow's Order Disqualifying 17th SAO
LUCKY LARRY
Posted on January 06, 2009SEIDLIN CLOSE-OUT MEMO (MIAMI SAO)"An extensive financial investigation was conducted, and it was determined that between November of 2003 and August of 2008, there was a total of $413,013.83, not including the tuition payments, that were paid to Judge Seidlin's wife, daughter, mother-in-law, and father-in-law from Barbara Kasler...
4th DCA 17th CRIM OPINIONS (PROBATION 1, KAPLAN/LOE 0)
Posted on January 06, 2009OPINIONS RELEASED 1-5-09Lebow - Reversed Stumpff, although inactive, remained an ?auxiliary law enforcement officer? under section 943...
OATH OF OFFICE DAY
Posted on January 06, 2009Laz swears in the SheriffPALM BEACH POSTJudge Wennet's replacement, Abramson, to start today despite questions Abramson Letters: Crist to Supreme Court and PB CJ to CristSENTINELNew Palm Beach County state attorney to be sworn in today"Early in the campaign, McAuliffe offered a few ideas that grabbed attention...
LIVOTI INDICTED
Posted on January 05, 2009SUN SENTINELFeds: 2 Broward attorneys enabled massive Ponzi scheme"Two Broward County attorneys enabled a massive Ponzi scheme that cost investors worldwide more than $800 million, according to a federal indictment unsealed today in Miami federal court...
LEBOW DISQUALIFIES 17th SAO
Posted on January 05, 2009Judge Lebow denies dismissal in State v. Martinez but disqualifies the Broward State Attorney.Raft will seek extraordinary writ to the 4th, etc.No mistrial for manifest necessity...jurors were told not to report but specifically reminded that they were not discharged...
NEVINS GETS THE GOODS
Posted on January 05, 2009BROWARDBEAT.COMConfirmed: Avalos Takes Job At Tripp Scott"Edward Pozzuoli, the director of the firm, ... said Avalos would be handling employment law and helping with complex commercial litigation...Before becoming judge, she was an assistant state attorney, prosecuting murder and sex battery cases...
AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU NEVER GOT BUSTED?
Posted on January 04, 2009Acid, incense, and balloons...WASHINGTON POSTFranken to be declared Senate victor in MinnesotaOld acid gobbling hippies in the Senate, drunk driving coke sniffing and pot smoking Presidents, junkie conservative talk show hosts, nightly cocaine and ecstasy fueled parties followed by Xanax to come down in Wilton Manors and Broward college dorms, judges who used to get really high, and Assistant State Attorney's hired by Mr...
BAD NEWS FOR GARY KOLLIN
Posted on January 02, 2009Labarga bests JimenezPALM BEACH POSTLabarga appointed to Fla. Supreme CourtWELL DONE GOVERNOR CRIST! (Thanks to Grey Tesh)
NOW WHAT....
Posted on January 02, 2009If a JQC complaint is filed against LaBarga, how will proceedings be handled involving a Supreme Court Justice?ARTICLE V SECTION 12. Discipline; removal and retirement.--(e) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this section, if the person who is the subject of proceedings by the judicial qualifications commission is a justice of the supreme court of Florida all justices of such court automatically shall be disqualified to sit as justices of such court with respect to all proceedings therein concerning such person and the supreme court for such purposes shall be composed of a panel consisting of the seven chief judges of the judicial circuits of the state of Florida most senior in tenure of judicial office as circuit judge...
JAABLOG CLOTHING DRIVE
Posted on January 01, 2009Sexy Underwear Doo-Rags Oil Spill Cleanup Rags Doggie Tuxedos Dress for Dad's Sentencing Snot RagThe rash of defrocked and electorally fired judges over the last two years has created a glut in the used judicial robe market...
LOCAL BOYS MAKE GOOD
Posted on December 30, 2008Frank Maister and one time judicial candidate Gary Elsinger scored a major victory expanding indigents' right to counsel in the Florida Supreme Court today. The 64 page opinion in Florida v. Kelly was issued in response to the following certified question: WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF A CRIMINAL DEFENDANT?S RIGHT TO COUNSEL UNDER ARTICLE I, SECTION 161 OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION CONCERNING THE STATE?S USE OF PRIOR UNCOUNSELED MISDEMEANOR CONVICTIONS TO ENHANCE A LATER CHARGE FROM A MISDEMEANOR TO A FELONY?Kelly concerned a felony DUI charge where Mr...
A MESSAGE FROM GARY OSTROW
Posted on December 30, 2008Because the latest developments are no longer useful to advance the political agenda of the sham-sentinel state- run propaganda machine, I must take it upon myself to enlighten the legal community as to the state of the May 10, 2008, front crucifixion page story in the days following my misfortune in Tallahassee...
SCRAP THE PARTISAN JNCs!
Posted on December 30, 2008The torture never stops...ST. PETERSBURG TIMESTake politics out of Florida's judiciary Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte is a former president of the American Bar Association, former president of Florida State University and former state legislator. Bob Graham is a former U...
DOUBLE DIPPERS
Posted on December 28, 2008Power is twice as nice with two paychecksST. PETERSBURG TIMESDouble dipping rises despite outrage "Until the law was changed, members of the Florida Retirement System who signed up for DROP were required to leave the state payroll at the end of five years or forfeit the lump-sum benefit...
4th DCA 17th Circuit Criminal Opinions
Posted on December 26, 2008OPINIONS RELEASED 12-24-08Gold - Reversed/Remanded Because Fulmore had benefitted from a withholding of adjudication in a prior felony case, in order to withhold adjudication of guilt in the present case, the trial court was required by section 775...
MEDIA 12/25
Posted on December 25, 2008NATIONAL GAY NEWSDisbarred Attorney Calls Gays 'Perverts'"Forget Pastor Ric Warren for a moment, the Coral Gables attorney permanently disbarred earlier this year by the Supreme Court of Florida posted an opinion on a justice association blog last week that homosexuals are 'sexually perverse...
WHAT WILL JUDGE LEBOW DO?
Posted on December 21, 2008The closing arguments in A href="http://jaablog.jaablaw.com/2008/12/16/closing-arguments-tomorrow.aspx"EMState v. Martinez/EM/Anbsp;were made before Judge Lebow last Wednesday.nbsp; The Judge said she will do her best to rule before New year's, or before January 5th, when trial is set to resume...
This Blog Serves A Public Purpose by Norm Kent
Posted on December 21, 2008PSPANFONT face="Times New Roman"EMIMG style="WIDTH: 237px; HEIGHT: 225px" height=388 src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/34726-32374/blogshakespearecomic.bmp" width=282BRBR"If you are not offending people who ought to be offended, you're doing something wrong...
CASES
Posted on December 19, 2008FONT size=1Criminal law -- BJuveniles -- Loitering and prowling/B -- Juveniles' presence in residential neighborhood early in the morning, without more, did not support charge of loitering and prowling -- Although officer was justified in questioning juveniles when he discovered them wearing dark clothes, in the area of a 3:30 a...
THE BIGGEST LOSER
Posted on December 18, 2008EMIMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/34726-32374/0,1425,i51009,00.jpg"nbsp;Satz's dirty little secretBRBRJAABLOG's/EM army of high paid statisticians has been working around the clock, thanks to a generous grant from A href="http://www.gatesfoundation...
Third Eye Blind
Posted on December 18, 2008nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/34726-32374/seilerr_bmp.jpg"BRBROld Jaybird is busy again, this time pimping for Jack Seiler.nbsp; Oh boy!nbsp; Has Jaybird finally picked a winner?nbsp;BRBRRemember, with all Jaybird's efforts, Lemack still lost to Israel...
FLORIDA JUDICIAL POLITICS GETS EVEN WEIRDER
Posted on December 18, 2008STRONGPALM BEACH POST/STRONGBRA href="http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/12/18/1218abramson.html"EMAbramson stripped of law license; vows to serve as judge/EM/ABRBRA href="http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/pub_info/summaries/briefs/07/07-713/Filed_12-08-2008_Order_Supension...
Buh-bye!
Posted on December 18, 2008Pnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/34726-32374/2037854425_6746eccc54.jpg"BRBRnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;EMDecember 19th is "Last Day Friday"/EMBRBRnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;EMBuh-bye, Eileen...
THE BROWARD COUNTY COMMI$$ION
Posted on December 18, 2008IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/34726-32374/book1.jpg" border=0nbsp; STRONGIMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/34726-32374/lori_geoff.jpg" border=0BRnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;/STRONGEMLobbyist Ron Book/EMBRBRSTRONGBROWARD NEW TIMES/STRONGBRA href="http://www...
CLOSING ARGUMENTS TOMORROW
Posted on December 16, 2008Is Lady Justice Broward nothing more than a cheap whore?The Motion To Dismiss Based On Prosecutorial Misconduct in State v. Martinez concludes Wednesday before Judge Lebow. Attorneys for both sides provided case law and written authority to the Judge today...
"DISHONESTY, FRAUD, DECEIT, OR MISREPRESENTATION"
Posted on December 16, 2008The Florida Bar News Disciplinary Actions for December 15, 2008John Bruce Thompson, 5721 Riviera Drive, Coral Gables, permanently disbarred without leave to apply for readmission, effective 30 days from a September 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1977) Thompson is charged with extensive misconduct and a complete lack of remorse...
"GOVERNOR CHRIST" (FORMERLY "SHORT AND SWEET")
Posted on December 16, 2008(Thanks to Anonymous @ 10:38 PM)
MEDIA 12/15
Posted on December 15, 2008COUNTY COURT COURIERCounty Court Judges Party At Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island 12/17-12/19DAILY BUSINESS REVIEWZack ResignsSpechler's Revenge Lawsuit DismissedOrder Dismissing Spechler Suit"Chief U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno in Miami ruled the role of chief judge gave Tobin the discretion to reassign judges, giving him immunity from such lawsuits...
SEND YOUR KIDS TO CAMP
Posted on December 13, 2008The $9,000 tents can each house up to 22 prisonersASSOCIATED PRESSFlorida Turns To Tents To Deal With Rising Inmate Numbers"Some prison inmates in Florida - which locked up more new ones last year than any other state, according to a federal report released Thursday - soon could be living in tents...
THE SEVENTEENTH
Posted on December 12, 2008The Online Newsletter of the State Attorney's Office, 17th Circuit December 2008
WHAT WAS THAT CLICKING SOUND?
Posted on December 12, 2008State Atty Requests For Jail Calls 1/07 - 12/08 "We are also very concerned about the wiretapping area and eavesdropping on conversations between lawyers and clients. There's this "ends justifies the means" climate right now, one of "we're going to worry about our focus and narrow interests rather than the broad front" that we believe presents a great threat to our time-honored rights as citizens...
JNC SENDS SIX NAMES TO THE GOVERNOR
Posted on December 12, 2008Why is this man smiling? Is the last seat already his?The JNC sent the following names up yesterday for Judge Zeidwig's seat:1.) David Haimes, 2.) Michael Hursey, 3.) Kenneth Gillespie, 4.) Ed Merrigan, 5.) Barbara McCarthy, 6.) Raag Singhal...
ZACK'S RESIGNATION OFFICIAL
Posted on December 11, 2008Judge Robert Zack Chris Roberts NOTICE OF JUDICIAL VACANCIES-INSTRUCTIONSAs a result of the resignation of Judge Robert S...
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS ASSIGNING JUDGES
Posted on December 11, 2008Effective January 5th, 2009:ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ASSIGNING JUDGES, GENERAL MAGISTRATES AND HEARING OFFICERS FE "to be determined after Governor Crist?s appointment to fill the current vacancy" FF "to be determined after Governor Crist?s appointment to fill the current vacancy" ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER DESIGNATING ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES AND CHAIRPERSONS
4th DCA 17th Circuit Criminal Opinions
Posted on December 10, 2008Opinions released December 10th, 2008:G. Cohen - Affirm/Reverse/Remand Greene - Reversed Gates - Reversed/RemandedBristol - Affirmed M. Kaplan - Reversed D...
MEDIA 12/10
Posted on December 10, 2008State v. Martinez resumed today before Judge Lebow. Yesterday, Julie Vogel testified. We're told she disclaimed any knowledge of the contents of the recordings between attorney Chris Grillo and his client Martinez, apparently not listening to them until the Motion to Dismiss for Prosecutorial Misconduct was filed...
Ethics Commission Conclusion
Posted on December 10, 2008Howard has a TV show and you don't"The Commission found no probable cause to believe that Howard Finkelstein, Public Defender of the 17th Judicial Circuit, misused the resources of his office to direct staff to conduct research for his television show or that he pressured office staff to support his reelection campaign...
Disbarred Attorney Files Bar Complaint
Posted on December 09, 2008I am writing this letter in my capacity as Bill Gelin?s lawyer in a dispute generated by a complaint Jack Thompson has authored. Earlier today, Jack Thompson, a former Florida attorney, recently convicted and disbarred on 27 counts of ethical violations, used this blog to freely post a "News Release", announcing that the Florida Bar has opened an ethics complaint against one Bill Gelin...
FIVE JNC INTERVIEWS THURSDAY
Posted on December 09, 2008The JNC will interview five additional applicants on Thursday, December 11th. Interviews start at noon, in Room 1882, Broward County Courthouse. The interviews are, as always, open to the public.The applicants who received interviews on November 17th are still in contention...
5th DCA JNC GIVES CRIST THE FINGER/CHILD CARE
Posted on December 08, 2008The times they are a-telling, and the changing isn't free...*JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG*David Weed DemotedORLANDO SENTINELGov. Crist, lawyers argue over diversity of 6 judicial nominees"Gov. Charlie Crist this week rejected six nominees submitted to him for an open seat on the 5th District Court of Appeal, saying the list wasn't sufficiently diverse because it contained no black nominees...
AND THEN THERE WERE THREE...
Posted on December 05, 2008Six names were presented to the Governor to replace Lance Andrews:1.) David Haimes, 2.) Michael Hursey, 3.) Ken Gillespie, 4.) Christopher Pole, 5.) Barbara McCarthy, 6.) Raag Singhal.The Governor has whittled the list down to three remaining candidates:1...
BACK TO SCHOOL MONDAY (FORMERLY "PAYBACK IS A BITCH!")
Posted on December 05, 2008Lastday...report to Sleepshop COURTHOUSE UPDATE 17th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA - MEDIA ADVISORY Friday, December 5, 2008 - 2 pm Broward County's Main Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale will RE-OPEN Monday, December 8, 2008...
JAABLOG'S FAMILY LAW FORUM
Posted on December 05, 2008Focus on the family Announcing JAABLOG's Family Law Forum...
4th DCA Opinions/17th Circuit Criminal
Posted on December 03, 2008Opinions released December 3rd:Dijols - Reversed/Remanded Gardiner - Reversed/Remanded Rodriguez-Powell - Reversed/RemandedOpinions released November 26:Siegel - Reversed/Remanded Weinstein - Reverse/Remand Opinions released November 21:Williams - Order QuashedOpinions released November 19:Bidwill - Reversed/Remanded Krathen - Reversed/Remanded Towbin-Singer - AffirmedMurphy - Certifies Question re Speedy Trial to the Supreme Court Backman - Affirmed (Does not include PCAs)
TEMPORARY JUDICIAL PHONE LINES
Posted on December 03, 2008Due to the lack of phone service at Broward County's Main Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Judge/JA phone directory has been updated to include temporary cell phone numbers in order to reach those offices. The directory has been attached for your convenience...
JACKSONVILLE CIRCUIT JUDGES CONFERENCE NEXT WEEK
Posted on December 03, 2008Attorney Jay Spechler and Judge Gehl, 2007 Amelia Island ConferenceEveryone knows that judges love their conferences. They'll travel through rain, sleet, and snow to get there, especially since the budget cuts threaten to make the group self-adulation fests a thing of the past...
UPDATES
Posted on December 03, 200817TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA - MEDIA ADVISORY: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 The 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida Office of the Trial Court Administrator has created a temporary email address for attorneys and the public to contact the Broward Court System with any questions as the building remains without phone service and limited communications as a result of flooding earlier this week...
CRIST MEANS WHAT HE SAYS
Posted on December 03, 2008THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNIONCrist rejects nominees, demanding diversity for 5th DCAThe list has names of six white applicants and no blacks.In a striking step sure to have broader ramifications, Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday rejected a list of judicial nominees for a state appeals court, citing the lack of racial diversity...
APPLICANTS FOR JUDGE ZEIDWIG'S SEAT
Posted on December 02, 2008List of the applicants who have applied for nomination to the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida for the vacancy created by the death of Judge Zeidwig:Mari Blumstein, Jaqueline Boswell, Melinda Brown, Carol Chloupek, Shannon DeJesus, Pedro Dijols, Paul Eichner, Phoebee Francois, Ted Galatis, Ken Gillespie, Patrick Giunta, David Haimes, Michael Hursey, Jorge Hurtado, William Lefkowitz, William Leonard, Scott Levine, Nadine Girault Levey, Nick Lopane, Sam Lopez, Barbara MaCarthy, Kathleen McHugh, Edward Merrigan, Stefanie Moon, Stefanie Newman, Kathyrn Pecko, Chris Pole, Jackie Powell, Derrick Roberts, Michael Robinson, Laura Rodgers, Carlos Rodriguez, Charles Rowley, Richard Sachs, Andrew Salvage, Robert Saunooke, Maria Schneider, Raag Singhal, Ann Marie St...
BUILD A NEW COURTHOUSE ANYWHERE BUT DOWNTOWN
Posted on December 02, 2008SENTINEL BROWARD POLITICS BLOGPrepare to vote on the courthouse again"Voters could be asked to reconsider building a new courthouse by November 2010 under plans county commissioners began crafting Tuesday.Mayor Stacy Ritter plans to ask her colleagues to create a task force next week of judges, court administrators, lawyers, business leaders and city officials...
COURTHOUSE CLOSED UNTIL MONDAY
Posted on December 02, 200817TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA - MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - 11 am Broward County's Main Judicial Complex in downtown Fort Lauderdale will be CLOSED to the public through and including Friday, December 5, 2008...
COURTHOUSE CLOSED MONDAY
Posted on December 01, 2008Due to a severe flooding issue resulting in extensive damage, Broward County's Main Judicial Complex in downtown Fort Lauderdale will be CLOSED on Monday, December 1, 2008. 1st appearance bond proceedings will continue as scheduled. More information will be distributed as it becomes available...
COURTHOUSE UPDATE
Posted on December 01, 2008Cosmic Message?The Courthouse is definitely closed to the public Tuesday. However, it is open to employees. Wednesday public closure is highly likely as well. The North Wing is expected to reopen to the public Thursday, while the old sections of the Courthouse may be closed until at least next week...
THE WILD WILD LIFE OF STANTON KAPLAN
Posted on November 29, 2008Stanton Kaplan defeated an incumbent to become judge in 1966; his college roommate was actor Michael Dunn of Star Trek and The Wild Wild West fame (Dr...
STATE ATTORNEYGATE DEFENSE MOTIONS
Posted on November 27, 2008The Ghost of J. Edgar HooverDefense and BACDL Motions filed in State v. Martinez:Defense Motion To Dismiss Based On Prosecutorial MisconductBACDL Amicus BriefHEARING RESUMES DECEMBER 9TH BEFORE JUDGE LEBOW
NOT GUILTY! (FORMERLY BRUSH WITH GREATNESS)
Posted on November 25, 2008"The judge wanted to know if I had ever been arrested!""She?s the darling of the national media. She is positioned to be a Democratic leader in Congress one day. She was just named one of the top 50 Jews in America by Forward, a leading Jewish newspaper...
MEDIA 11/24 - SATZ DOES IT AGAIN
Posted on November 24, 2008The law is the law, unless you are rich, powerful, or a cop.THE WALL STREET JOURNALScales of Justice: The Right to Counsel vs. the Need to Bar Tainted Legal Fees "The criminal defense bar is closely watching the coming trial of a prominent Miami attorney, Ben Kuehne...
BROWARD BUCKS ANOTHER TREND
Posted on November 24, 2008State Attorney Satz hard at workHERALDBroward an exception to school violence trend "While it doesn't seem like it this month, school crime statewide has actually been on a steady decline, according to figures compiled by the Florida Department of Education...
JAABLOG SPONSOR: THE JIM CROW FOUNDATION
Posted on November 24, 2008Men like Jay Crowstein, Jimmy O'Crow and Jaime Crowierrez have claimed Broward as their home since the 1960's...
JAABLOG MOVEMENT: JANUARY, 2009
Posted on November 21, 2008BERNIE BOBER REPLACES EILEEN O'CONNOR IAN RICHARDS REPLACES JULIO GONZALEZ ELLEN FELD TO A SATELLITE PLEASE POST A COMMENT REGARDING OTHER CONFIRMED CHANGES
ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION MEETING DECEMBER 3rd
Posted on November 20, 2008The committee that organized the "Alternatives to Incarceration Summit" and has been working on carrying out the directives of that summit is holding a formal organizational meeting for the purposes of electing officers and naming the organization...
MEDIA 11/20
Posted on November 20, 2008Aleman CowardFLORIDA SUPREME COURT"Judge Aleman's Motion For Rehearing is hereby denied"Time to start making the popcorn - public reprimand coming soon to a computer screen near you! HERALD3 0f 90 Issue: Minority lawyers in Broward County seek judicial spots "Spurred by the concerns of local minority attorneys, the Broward Judicial Nominating Commission has made ethnicity an issue...
JUDGE KAPLAN'S SEAT: APPLICATIONS BY JANUARY 5th
Posted on November 20, 2008NOTICE OF JUDICIAL VACANCIES-INSTRUCTIONSAs a result of the death of Judge Charles Kaplan, there is a vacancy on the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court, in and for Broward County, Florida...
FLORIDA'S MODERN DAY QUEUE ORDINANCE LIVES ON
Posted on November 18, 2008Chinese-American man with traditional queueHo Ah Kow v. Nunan (1876)In addition to its attempts to bar Chinese immigration, California passed several laws to harass Chinese residents and discourage their presence. This was especially true in the late 1870s when the Workingman?s Party rose to prominence under the slogan ?The Chinese Must Go!? In 1876, the California legislature passed the ?cubic air law,? specifying the size of living quarters for every tenant: lodgings had to provide at least 500 cubic feet of air for each adult...
BOB NORMAN STRIKES AGAIN!
Posted on November 18, 2008It turns out it has nothing to do with Kool-Aid after allTHE DAILY PULPMichael Satz's $100,000 Club The Broward New Times' Bob Norman wrote on Tue Nov 18, 2008:I was bored so I thought I'd compile the list of all the people at the State Attorney's Office who make $100,000 or more...
BACDL MEETING AND PARTIES
Posted on November 18, 2008We are pleased to announce a new organization structure for BACDL. We will be holding our monthly board meeting at the Public Defenders Office Conference room and encourage all members to attend. Our first meeting at the new location will be on December 2, 2008 at noon...
SIX NAMES TO REPLACE ANDREWS
Posted on November 18, 2008The 17th Circuit JNC has sent the following six names to the Governor for his consideration in filling the Circuit Court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Lance Andrews:1.) David Haimes, 2.) Michael Hursey, 3.) Ken Gillespie, 4.) Christopher Pole, 5...
JNC INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Posted on November 17, 2008The JNC interviewed twenty circuit court candidates this afternoon. JAABLOG was there for sixteen of them, as opposed to the five county court interviews we sat through last May.The TJ Reddick Bar Association had a court reporter present for the entire afternoon...
HOROWITZ AND ROSENBERG MAKE THE CUT
Posted on November 17, 2008FLORIDA BAR NEWS RELEASE4TH DCA JNC CERTIFIES NOMINEES FOR TWO 4TH DCA VACANCIESAfter careful consideration and pursuant to Article V, Section 11 of the Florida Constitution, the Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission has certified the following nominees to Gov...
SATZ CAUGHT WITH HIS THUMB ON THE SCALE YET AGAIN
Posted on November 16, 2008"The law is the law I tell you..."SENTINELHandling of Davie police officer's criminal sex case questionedDid Davie officer get special treatment after crime reported?"Strapping a gun to your side and coercing a woman to perform a sex act is usually called sexual battery...
WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?
Posted on November 16, 2008The New New Deal?The Gold Confiscation Of April 5, 1933 From: President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt To: The United States Congress Dated: 5 April, 1933 Presidential Executive Order 6102 Forbidding the Hoarding of Gold Coin, Gold Bullion and Gold Certificates By virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 5(b) of the Act of October 6, 1917, as amended by Section 2 of the Act of March 9, 1933, entitled An Act to provide relief in the existing national emergency in banking, and for other purposes~', in which amendatory Act Congress declared that a serious emergency exists, I, Franklin D...
Finkelstein v. Book
Posted on November 14, 2008SUN SENTINEL BROWARD POLITICS BLOGFinkelstein speech inflames commissionersPublic Defender Howard Finkelstein rankled county commissioners Thursday when he cursed at them and accused them of meddling in the justice system to help lobbyist friends. Finkelstein was upset with plans for an upcoming public hearing on a proposal that delineates how pre-trial release should work...
AT LEAST HE TRIED
Posted on November 13, 2008First Appearances judge cannot modify bail when the issuing capias judge orders a no bond hold. Imperato v...
PLEADINGS ACCEPTED CIRCUIT WIDE
Posted on November 13, 2008Administrative Order Authorizing the Filing of Pleadings or Papers at Any Office of the Clerk of Court(If the arraignment is less than 10 business days away, WPNG must be filed in the presiding courthouse) (Effective November 3rd, 2008)
4th DCA Opinions/17th Circuit Criminal
Posted on November 13, 2008Opinions Released: November 12, 2008:S. Kaplan: Reversed and Remanded Levenson: Reversed and Remanded Newman: Affirmed Lazarus: Reversed and Remanded Frusciante: Reversed and Remanded Opinions Released: November 5, 2008:Bidwill: Affirmed Levenson: Affirmed Rodriguez-Powell: AffirmedOpinions Released: October 29, 2008:Gardiner: Reversed M...
QUESTION 2 PASSES IN MASSACHUSETTS
Posted on November 12, 2008Another good reason to send your kid to college in BostonQUESTION 2: Law Proposed by Initiative PetitionMassachusetts becomes the 13th state to decriminalize marijuana possession. Getting caught with less than one ounce means a civil fine of less than $100...
JNC INTERVIEWS: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17th
Posted on November 12, 200820 Interviews for Lance Andrews' Seat:Hursey 12:00Williams 12:10Pole 12:20Usan 12:30Robinson 12:40Salvage 1:00Haimes 1:10Gillespie 1:20Newman 1:30Dijols 1:40Hurtado 2:00Brown 2:10Roberts 2:20Sachs 2:30Singhal 2:40McCarthy 3:00Giunta 3:10Rodriguez 3:20Lopane 3:30Saunooke 3:40ROOM 1882 (New Administrative Office), 1st Floor, North Wing, Broward County Courthouse, 201 SE 6th Street DBR's INSIDE TRACK BLOG INTERVIEWS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
WHERE TO FIND YOUR JUDGES THURSDAY
Posted on November 12, 20084th DCA INTERVIEW SCHEDULE at The Fourth District Court of Appeal, 1525 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd...
MEDIA 11/12
Posted on November 12, 2008SOUTHERN DISTRICT BLOG Fundraiser and Reception in defense of Ben KuehneDAILY BUSINESS REVIEWSupreme Court punts on Brummer's plan to dump felony casesRuden McClosky accused of fraudFernandez, Brown likely to be in two-way race for chief judge of Miami-DadeEmail from Judge Ivan Fernandez (pdf)Farina won?t seek re-election as chief judgeLegal Aid funds run dry nationwideHigh court backs Florida Bar; Conway will be reprimandedBroward County Clerk Forman gives employees $900 bonusesActivists expect more litigation over ban on gay marriageCARMEL ON THE CASEPill Mills: Prescription Drug Tourism in FloridaPrice of Justice: Judges Live it UpJUSTICE BUILDING BLOGJudge Emas in defense of judicial conferencesJudicial Conference Contretemps!!BROWARDBEAT...
THE END
Posted on November 06, 2008JAABLOG spoke to Mardi Levey Cohen today. She is not pursuing the special election, which means Judge Bober's election stands free and clear.Mardi feels she is entitled to the special election, but believes it would be too costly for the taxpayers and generally counterproductive at this time...
YOUNG LAWYERS APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
Posted on November 05, 2008WHAT: Appreciation Luncheon honoring the service of Catalina Avalos, Pedro Dijols, and Julio Gonzalez.WHEN: Thursday, November 13th, 2008 at 11:45 AM.WHERE: The Riverside Hotel, 620 Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale ($25.00).RSVP: Carmen@Velasquez-Law.com (by November 10th)...
"The agency isn't about one person, it's about 6,000 people."
Posted on November 05, 2008"It's time to give the agency back to the people of Broward County." - Sheriff Al Lamberti Why do we need another political hire when we have so many good cops who have earned the position? (originally posted on JAABLOG September 6, 2007)HERALDAl Lamberti holds onto post as Broward sheriff
IT'S TRUE
Posted on November 05, 2008BOB NORMAN'S DAILY PULPAlu quits State Attorney's Office "I'm hearing that Sunrise City Commissioner Sheila Alu abruptly quit her job as prosecutor at the State Attorney's Office today. Alu, who blew the whistle on Judge Ana Gardiner, isn't talking about it, but she has complained in the past about what she claimed were retaliatory actions from supervisors since this story was published...
MEET JUDGE BOBER*
Posted on November 04, 2008JUDGE BERNARD BOBER KEVIN KULIK LOOKING TO 2010 2008 Broward County General Election Results (Page 7 for Bober v. Levey, Ehrlich v...
THE SEVENTEENTH
Posted on November 03, 2008The Online Newsletter of the State Attorney's Office, 17th Circuit November, 2008
37 APPLICANTS FOR ANDREWS' SEAT/ZEIDWIG SEAT OPENED UP
Posted on November 03, 2008Michael Hursey, Jerry Williams, Chris Pole, Laura Rodgers, Jacqueline Boswell, Katie McHugh, Stefanie Moon, Michael Usan, Mike Robinson, William Lefkowitz, Sam Lopez, Andrew Salvage, Ted Galatis, Ken Gillespie, David Haimes, William Leonard, Stefanie Newman, Charles Rowley, Jackie Powell, Pedro Dijols, Jorge Hurtado, Carol Chloupek, Mindy Brown, Derrick Roberts, Richard Sachs, Kathryn Pecko, Raag Singhal, Brad Weissman, Jim Wells, Barbara McCarthy, Phoebee Francois, Patrick Giunta, Maria Schneider, Carlos Rodriguez, Nick Lopane, Nadine Girault, Robert Saunooke...
EVERY VOTE COUNTS
Posted on November 03, 2008It will be an evening of firsts..... The first female Vice President or the first African American President
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE
Posted on November 02, 2008On the eve of what could be the most significant event in US history.....
JAABLOG SPONSOR: SPRAY ON BLACK & TAN
Posted on November 01, 2008BEFORE AFTER VISIT SPRAY ON BLACK & TAN BEFORE THAT ALL IMPORTANT JNC INTERVIEWFool your friends, neighbors, and the Judicial Nominating Commission...
SUPREME COURT BACKS FLORIDA BAR
Posted on October 30, 2008The Florida Supreme Court discharged the order to show cause issued on June 23rd, 2008, in the matter of THE FLORIDA BAR vs. SEAN WILLIAM CONWAY, which stated:The parties are hereby directed to show cause on or before July 14, 2008, whether any of respondent's comments should be considered protected speech under the First Amendment (i...
OOPS, HE DID IT AGAIN
Posted on October 30, 2008Mike Satz plays dress up with justice againSENTINELCharges dropped against final Broward Sheriff's deputy in false records scandalTopix: Exceptional Clearance Charges DroppedOne of Broward County's biggest law-enforcement scandals ended with a whimper Wednesday, when prosecutors dropped 30 charges against a former deputy accused of faking confessions and falsifying reports...
CRISIS? WHAT CRISIS?
Posted on October 30, 2008Where's that damn waiter with my margarita?We're hearing investigative reporter Carmel Cafiero is at it again. Every judge's worst nightmare has been busy indeed. Watch WSVN Channel 7, Monday at Ten.
4th DCA APPLICANTS
Posted on October 27, 2008We'll drink a round to this town and bid goodbye...The following individuals have applied to the Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission for nomination to the Fourth District Court of Appeal: Ralph Steven Behr, Joseph R. Chloupek, Judge Cory J...
CONGRATULATIONS BRIAN
Posted on October 23, 2008The Walrus was not PaulMARKET WATCHCrime Commission Honors Brian Cavanagh as Prosecutor of the YearThe Broward County Crime Commission (hosts) a gala on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008, where the criminal justice system, as a whole, will be honored. Several hundred prominent people will gather on Thursday evening to pay tribute to the Criminal Justice system in Broward County...
THOMPSON STRIKES OUT AGAIN
Posted on October 23, 2008Jack Thompson?s Appeal to FCC DefeatedThe Federal Communications Commission, which had denied in a Memorandum Order on June 1, 2007 an attempt by Jack Thompson to seek revocation of Miami radio station WQAM?s license renewal, denied Thompson?s Petition for Review of its original order on October 23rd, sustaining its original findings, which vindicate the conduct of attorney Norm Kent and Beasley Communications...
THE UPSIDE DOWN WORLD OF MIKE SATZ
Posted on October 22, 2008Remember the strange case of Eleanor "Leisa" Adderley? You know, the wife of Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderley, who allegedly fired four shots in the near vicinity of her husband during an argument? It was reported by the press that Frank Adderley's nephew, Karrick Robinson, heard his uncle say "please don't kill me, Leisa," before the first shot rang out...
BROWARD "JUSTICE" CREATES CRIME
Posted on October 21, 2008Mike Satz can be seen in Judge Bidwill's courtroom all next week7/06-6/07: ARRESTS FELONY FILINGS MM FILINGS TOTAL FILINGS PRISON ADMISSIONS '06PALM BEACH: 80,367 11,777 37,606 49,383 1,093MIAMI-DADE: 132,803 29,184 72,687 101,871 2,235BROWARD: 84,904 18,367 33,596 51,963 3,263 (Data compiled for Judge Gardiner during the planning for First Appearances Court)POPULATION: Broward (1,787,636) Palm Beach (1,274,013) Miami-Dade (2,402,208)SENTINELOverall violent crime increases in Broward County in first half of 2008"Counter to a statewide trend, Broward County experienced an overall increase in violent crime in the first half of 2008 compared with the same period last year, according to statistics released Tuesday...
MEDIA 10/21
Posted on October 21, 2008HERALDJudgefight in Miami see also Rumpole for the inside scoopAccused of indecent exposure, Miami-Dade judge resignsFlorida Supreme Court opened the floodgates for cameras in courtHerald endorses Bober, Ehrlich, and FerenSENTINELCardiac arrest killed Judge KaplanFouled Breathalyzers may not be at issue in BrowardReyka killing only 2007 police officer murder unsolved nationwideRichard Wennet is sued by woman he dated years agoCorruption in the Hollywood PDDAILY BUSINESS REVIEWFinkelstein creates foreign language unit Court workers doing more with lessCrist asks JNC to provide more diverse pool of candidatesNEW TIMESThe Rise of Scott Rothstein, employer of ex-judges and sheriffsLori and Geoff's lossLAW...
CHARLIE'S MEMORIAL SET FOR OCTOBER 31ST
Posted on October 20, 2008Raag Singhal wrote on Monday, October 20th:Judge Charlie Kaplan was laid to rest yesterday, October 19, 2008 in Paramus, New Jersey after a beautiful ceremony at Eden Memorial Chapels in Fort Lee, New Jersey. The service and burial were attended by more than 300 people from across the country...
PSCC LOVEFEST
Posted on October 16, 2008The Public Safety Coordinating Council (PSCC) met this afternoon. The PSCC is a statutorily created body charged primarily with keeping the jail population at manageable and safe levels.Today's theme: LOVE.The reason: First Appearances Court is off to a roaring start, and inter-agency cooperation is the reason why...
COURTHOUSE LOSS
Posted on October 15, 2008Too youngJUDGE CHARLIE KAPLAN HAS PASSED AWAY FROM A HEART ATTACK
AFFIDAVITGATE & JENNE
Posted on October 13, 2008SENTINELBroward County prosecutor accuses judge of improper behaviorTopix: Team Gardiner and Satz working double overtime"Judge Gardiner's comments as to the veracity of this affidavit will be left for another day," her attorney David Bogenschutz said...
UPCOMING EVENTS
Posted on October 12, 2008EVENT: A FUNDRAISER RECEPTION WITH COCKTAILS AND APPETIZERS FOR CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE CANDIDATE MERRILEE EHRLICHWHEN: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 @ 5:00 PMWHERE: 320 SE 9th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33316SPONSOR: Guy Seligman, EsquirePolitical Advertisement approved by Merrilee Ehrlich, non-partisan for Circuit Court Judge Group 21...
PURPORTED COMMUNICATION FROM MS. SHEILA ALU
Posted on October 10, 2008Sheila Alu wrote:Disclaimer: As to the extent that our ethical rules allow me to do so, I am addressing some of the comments that have been posted on JAABlog over the past six months. To respect the rights of a man whose life hangs in the balance, I will not engage in public discussion relating to the specifics of this topic or as to where in the process this issue remains...