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JAABLOG ETHICS QUESTION

By JAABLOG

The following question has been certified to the Florida Supreme Court by JAABLOG: Should a sitting circuit court judge attend a DUI Manslaughter trial in her own circuit, hugging the wife of the deceased alleged victim in full view of the presiding judge and the jury, while not responding to requests to stay away from the trial before the jury has been sent away for deliberations? Background: The trial is currently in its second week before David Haimes.  Closing arguments are today, and the jury is expected to begin deliberations thereafter.  The judge in question has made repeated appearances during the proceedings, clearly a supporter of the alleged victim's family.  Defense attorneys have not asked for a mistrial, but a strong record has been made regarding their concerns over a senior judge demonstrating her strong support for the prosecution in front of the presiding judge, as well as potential conflicts if any of the jurors recognize the visiting judge, who won reelection in 2010...continue to full post

Full post as published by JAABlog on November 03, 2010 (boomark / email).