Criminal Law

WHAT'S GOING ON AT BSO?

Posted on March 28, 2011
There's all kinds of buzz that the FBI may be looking at some of BSO's business dealings.  Scuttlebutt?  Or true?  And were records really subpoenaed today?Just a little tease for y'all.  Real reporters are apparently all over this one, so stay tuned ...

HAVE YOU SEEN ME?

Posted on March 25, 2011
Pictured above is one of six tins of three hundred Marijuana Cigarettes, recently mailed from Broward County to Eugene, Oregon.  A total of eighteen hundred government grown joints, LOST IN THE U.S. MAIL.Norm Kent, attorney for Elvy Mussika, picked up his client's prescription at the Bascolm Palmer Eye Institute in Miami last week...

PUBLIC REPRIMAND AND COSTS

Posted on March 25, 2011
JQC v. Dale Cohen is all over, but for the Supreme Court's blessing of the recommended punishment.  Cohen was found guilty of some of the charges regarding the funky hearings and Steve Melnick, but not guilty of the more serious allegations regarding misleading the investigation or a "pattern and practice" of wrongdoing...

NOT GUILTY!

Posted on March 24, 2011
 Clement DeanGladys Dauphin was found not guilty on all three counts a few minutes ago.  The jury deliberated for three hours before acquitting the former BSO detention deputy.The verdict was expected, and not solely because the SAO's Special Prosecutions Unit (public corruption) was handling the case...

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WHO KNEW?

Posted on March 17, 2011
Lawyers fighting drug trafficking cases handled by the Broward SAO's Drug Trafficking Unit (DTU) have been operating under false impressions.  It turns out you can file Motions regarding Suppression, Entrapment, Substantial Assistance, and other issues without fear of reprisal by having all below minimum mandatory offers revoked...

ADIOS VIC?

Posted on March 14, 2011
Why is Vic Tobin's JA switching divisions? Is his departure imminent? Time to call Tallahassee to check for a resignation letter ...

LIVE!

Posted on March 14, 2011
"Jay All Day" picked up for the full season ...Starring Jay Hurley, Eric Linder, Terry Conover, and a cast of thousands.SS: Watch Broward bond court on live stream video (weekends too)

FRIDAY NOTES

Posted on March 10, 2011
 Dean CannonReform the JQC - House Speaker Dean Cannon is speaking our language, at least when it comes to merit retention votes and the JQC process.  Our local heroes couldn't care less about the well-being of their superior brethren, but you know they're anxious about the proposal to open up JQC proceedings...

THURSDAY NOTES

Posted on March 09, 2011
A Tale of Two Counties - The St. Pete Times is one of the few bright spots in the Florida newspaper business.  They're the real deal.  Sadly, there used to be a lot of papers like The Times, dedicated to the mission, instead of the conglomerate...

24 HOUR JAY

Posted on March 08, 2011
The Sun Sentinel and Vic Tobin Productions present:LIVE STREAMING FIRST APPEARANCES COURTA trial run is reportedly set for later this week.  If all goes well, the 17th Circuit's Magistrates proceedings will be streamed live daily on the Sun Sentinel's website...

THURSDAY NOTES

Posted on March 03, 2011
 Big Al's got nothing on James ErmacoraWho is James Ermacora? - we can't tell you, but anyone cool enough to use the above picture on his Florida Bar profile page ought to get the job of Regional Counsel.  He's got a shot, considering he applied for four of Florida's five Regional Counsel districts...

OCCCRC APPLICANTS

Posted on February 28, 2011
4th DCA: James Ermacora, Philip Massa, Raag Singhal, Debbie Maken, Nadine Girault Levy, Algeisa Vazquez, Cynthia Comras.3rd DCA: Steven Lieberman, Joseph George, Jr., James Ermacora.

NO MAS(SA)!

Posted on February 27, 2011
THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR IS PHIL HIMSELFBrought to you by: The Committee Against Reappointing Phil MassaI am writing this letter in the hopes that people will stand up once and for all and do something about the horrible working conditions at the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel (ORC)...

NOTICE FROM BSO

Posted on February 25, 2011
Due to the unexpected passing of BSO detention deputy Sgt. Sammy Silva, attorney visitation at the Main Jail facility will be disrupted over the next couple of days to allow staff to attend services. Visitation at the Main Jail will be restricted from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Friday evening, and again from 12:30 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, February 26th, 2011...

TRAGIC ENDING

Posted on February 24, 2011
Lauderhill Police Officer Elijah Rodgers has taken his own life.  The details are sketchy at this time.Rogers was under investigation by the SAO for falsifying police reports, particularly claiming seat belt violations to create probable cause...

ODYSSEY NO ORACLE

Posted on February 23, 2011
There's a reason why the Clerk's new computer system is named after Homer's epic poem: the conversion from Docketrac to the new system this weekend has resulted in tons of data being lost at sea, trying to find its way home.  It's reportedly much more than the bugs users are experiencing on the web...

PEGGY'S PITY PARTY

Posted on February 21, 2011
 Peggy Gehl, DefendantPeggy Gehl made national legal news before her retirement in 2010, over highly inappropriate comments regarding minorities.  Now she's back as a Broward Senior Judge, a Defendant in a civil matter, and self appointed JQC member...

Meet CJ Weinstein

Posted on February 17, 2011

WOOF*

Posted on February 09, 2011
The Fourth DCA has found Broward County ordinances requiring destruction of "dangerous" dogs null and void.  The ordinances have already been withdrawn, but it's still a substantial victory for animal lovers everywhere.The opinion is here.* "Thank you" in dog

SAY NO TO MIN/MANS

Posted on February 08, 2011
Another Satzian overreach is poised to make drug trafficking case law.  As with the doctor shopping prescription cases currently before the Fourth DCA, the "mixture" line of cases will surely be reviewed shortly by the appellate court, courtesy of an Order signed by Carlos Rodriguez yesterday declaring Florida Statute 893...

SPUTNIK 1 IS MORE EFFICIENT

Posted on February 08, 2011
 Wired for Sound ...Announcing The Satellite Project - Everyone knows the satellite courthouses are models of inefficiency.  Three separate facilities boasting multiple courtrooms, rarely in use.  The judges stationed way out there have it made, with no one keeping tabs on their comings and mostly goings...

FEBRUARY 18TH DEADLINE

Posted on February 06, 2011
Who wants to be the local Regional Conflict Counsel?Attorneys and others in the 17th Circuit hope it goes to anyone other than Philip Massa, the current honcho of the local Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel (OCCCRC).  Massa seems to be universally despised around here, although it remains to be seen if anyone will challenge him for his $98,000 per annum crown...

SETTLING THE SPORE

Posted on February 02, 2011
"Limited Indoor Air Quality Assessment Report" - courtesy of GLE Facilities and Environmental Consultants.  The recent reports on the courthouse mold and asbestos problems are preceded by a couple of emails between Vic Tobin and county officials...

ANOTHER JAIL DEP IC

Posted on February 01, 2011
Keith McPhee is currently IC, held on two counts with bonds totaling $150,000.00. The contraband is rumored to be batteries and Gatorade, if you can believe it. More arrests are said to be coming ...Also, check out The Daily Pulp for the John Bowman media blackout story...

JAABCAM

Posted on February 01, 2011
1.) Embossed BACDL Gulkin Dinner invites, distributed not too long ago; 2.) An onslaught of importance was also anticipated at the recent Robing Ceremony; 3.) Vic Tobin hosted his most recent JQC event last month.  Here he is with the man no judge wants to hear is calling, mysterious inquisitor Michael Schneider (photo intentionally blurred); 4...

MONDAY NOTES

Posted on January 31, 2011
Bowman's Blues - people aren't talking.  This one is too disturbing to believe.  People are thinking Charles Harper is the devil, or else the unthinkable may be true.  Time for Satz's polygraph machine to do some good, strapped to Harper...

GULKIN AWARD DINNER

Posted on January 28, 2011
Don't forget to reserve your seats for next Thursday's BACDL Harry Gulkin Award dinner.  Mike Tenzer and Richard Rosenbaum are being honored February 10th at the Tower Club, starting at 5:30 PM.  Seek out Brad Cohen or other BACDL reps for your ticket...

WHO'S NEXT?

Posted on January 25, 2011
   Is everybody having fun so far?The New Times Juice Blog published a follow-up article today on their series detailing the troubles between John Bowman and his former foster kid, Charles Harper.  It can be found here.  The accusations are flying, including new claims of sexual abuse...

THURSDAY NOTES

Posted on January 20, 2011
CORRECTIONS: 1.) Sorry, Sheila! , and 2.) Joel Lazarus in for Joe Murphy next week, not Sharon Zeller.8:30 Sharp! - PA's can set their clocks by Cynthia Imperato, Michael Gates, and other always prompt judges.  Lisa Porter's division now joins the club...

WEDNESDAY NOTES

Posted on January 19, 2011
She's running - Sheila Alu for County Commission!  It's not a rumor anymore.  But can she keep her job as an ASA too?  Developing ...Ari Porth to the rescue - could it be?  One of Satz's own introducing legislation to roll back minimum mandatories on drug charges, giving discretion back to judges?  We hear he's recently caught the Rehab bug, despite the maniacal policies of his colleagues in the Drug Trafficking Unit...

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