MIAMI HERALD: Is Dr. Phil the answer for errant judges in Broward?
Categories: Zach, Aleman, ARTICLES, Finkelstein, JQC, JNC, Satz, Seidlin, Tobin
Dr. Phil To Save Broward's Judiciary?Broward's judges are a dysfunctional family in need of treatment, according to a group of high-powered lawyers.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/207233.html
by Dan Christensen
dchristensen@miamiherald.com
Copyright 2007 The Miami Herald Media Company
Sun, Aug. 19, 2007
Worried that some Broward judges' behavior may be causing a drop in civil trials and could threaten a proposal to build a new county courthouse, a group of high-powered lawyers is looking to fix the bench's tarnished image.
''The judges are a close-knit family, but we have to get them to become functional again,'' said former Democratic state Sen. Walter ''Skip'' Campbell. ``Maybe the solution is calling Dr. Phil.''
Campbell and fellow big-money civil trial lawyers Eugene Pettis and Edward Pozzuoli are leading the group. Other members include fellow Fort Lauderdale civil attorney William Scherer, Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney David Bogenschutz, Broward County Bar Association President Barbara Sunshine and state Rep. Jack Seiler, D-Wilton Manors.
State Attorney Mike Satz and Public Defender Howard Finkelstein also will participate.
''This is a good thing, community leaders and folks within the criminal justice system coming together to try to make that system even better,'' Satz spokesman Ron Ishoy said.
''Everybody's input is wanted, not only lawyers,'' Chief Judge-elect Victor Tobin said.
But even as lawyers made the point that most of Broward's judges are honorable, some said privately the time has come to play hardball with errant judges.
One proposed change: recruit strong candidates to run against sitting judges who display aberrant behavior.
''That's a very good idea,'' said Finkelstein, himself an elected official.
``We should encourage people to run against judges when it's justified.''
Broward's bench has come under scrutiny this year following a number of recent missteps, including the bizarre and allegedly corrupt.
Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin was caricatured on Saturday Night Live for his weepy performance in the Anna Nicole Smith court fight.
Judge Lawrence Korda was arrested for smoking pot in a Hollywood park.
Both have since resigned.
CRIMINAL PROBES
Seidlin and County Court Judge Robert Zack are under criminal investigation by the Miami-Dade state attorney's office over accusations by lawyer and ex-judge Lawrence ''Chris'' Roberts.
Roberts has accused Seidlin of asking for kickbacks in exchange for appointments.
He also said Zack pressured him for a $2,500 loan that Zack failed to repay until the media started asking questions earlier this summer.
Three other judges, including outgoing Chief Judge Dale Ross, have faced accusations this year of making insensitive remarks about defendants.
Another judge, Cheryl Aleman, is the target of a state ethics complaint that she improperly jailed an attorney last year.
OTHER FEUDS
Sources say ugly feuds and disagreements between other judges have also prompted ongoing probes of at least two other jurists by the Judicial Qualifications Commission.
The credibility of Broward's courts also took a hit in April when the Florida Supreme Court unanimously banned the long-standing, yet little known, practice of secretly docketing cases.
HIDDEN CASES
A Miami Herald investigation uncovered hundreds of hidden Broward cases, including the divorces of judges and lawyers.
Campbell, who lost a November race to Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, said lawyers are concerned judicial misconduct here is impacting more than headlines.
He fears fewer cases are being tried.
Also, the controversies are affecting the attitudes of jurors.
''There's sometimes a lack of respect,'' Campbell said.
Broward Mayor Josephus Eggelletion recently remarked to Campbell that it would be a waste of time to ask voters again to approve a bond issue for a new courthouse as the controversy continues.
Voters rejected a $450 million courthouse bond issue last November.
"Worried that some Broward judges' behavior may be causing a drop in civil trials and could threaten a proposal to build a new county courthouse, a group of high-powered lawyers is looking to fix the bench's tarnished image."
And nobody said boo when they put the most dysfunctional judges in criminal the last 20 years. SCREW THE POOR, eh guys?
Ha Ha!
HOW IS IT ROTHSCHILD AND CARNEY, RESPONSIBLE FOR REMOVING OVER 100 CASES FROM THE PUBLIC RECORDS ARE NOT BEING INVESTIGATED FOR CRIMINAL WRONG DOING BY THE DADE-STATE-ATTORNEY?
Posted by: INSIDEMAN
8/19/2007 10:59 AM
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As a member of NOW and it's ad hoc committee Court Watch, I would like to know whom to contact in regards to having a representative of ours be included in this group. We have lots to say, since we have been COURT WASTCHING in Broward for the past 4 years. Although many of our observations about the above-mentioned Judges were sent to Judge Ross; they were ignored. I agree that Judge Rothschild is another one who needs to be scrutinized.
Posted by: merit retention
8/19/2007 11:14 AM
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Other members include fellow Fort Lauderdale civil attorney William Scherer, Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney David Bogenschutz, State Attorney Mike Satz
These names listed in this article is a joke right? PLease tell me that the above names listed in helpding clean up corruption in Broward is a joke.
Posted by: The Corruption
8/19/2007 11:21 AM
I think the Sheriff and BSO hierarchy needs some attention as well.
oh Dale what have you wrought...i guess they won't be naming the new courthouse after him
Sounds like Sheriff Skip has been drinking Jaab Kool-Aid.
How is it legally possible that Judges Rothschild or Carney remove any case from Public Records? This is precisely why egregious actions have taken place within our judiciary for as long as they have. Nothing is being done to curb these outrageous actions by some of the judges on the Broward Bench. How can this type of action be condoned or permissible under the law?
I don't get it either. "Why" is the question as to the removal of cases from public records, and "whose cases" ?
What new courthouse? That's the first logical response I've heard Eggelletion make as being " a waste of time to ask voters again to approve a bond issue for a new courthouse." Many of the courtrooms are not being utilized now for anything. Check it out yourself. Take a tour of the courthouse after noontime.
Suffice it to say it's going to take allot more than Dr. Phill to straighten out the problems within our judiciary.
Skip, this have anything to do with you running for President of the Florida Bar?
Cambell says "But we have to get them to become functional again"? Maybe he's been out of town for a long time not to realize the key word in dealing with the judiciary in Broward is dysfunctional, not functional. Then he says he "fears fewer cases are being tried" and "sometimes there's a lack of respect"? What happened to the respect our judges seem to have forgotten for their own positions and for the public that pays for it all, Skip? Quit trying to play BOG HOG and tell it like it really is. If these judges aren't trying cases, leaving their courtrooms empty, then lets get some people that really want to do the job the public expects of them and quit dancing around the subject.
Can these people stop playing politics in this town for anything?
I know I'll reject any bond issue calling for a new courthouse. For what? So judges can farm out their dockets to retired judges and leave for the day at 2:00 ?
And Skip's answer is may the judges need Dr. Phill? Boy, the problem doesn't stop with the judges in this town, does it?
I think the judges' actions are affecting the attitudes of perspective jurors. Take a look at O'Connor and Aleman and you'll see what perspective jurors see.
Sure sounds like Skip is running for something again. You know the old saying politicians never die, they just run for something else. He may not want to get too close to some of these judges though.
The Courthouse Bond Issue was soundly defeated. How many times do they think they can shove this issue down the voter's throats?
Why is Campbell interjecting himself into a judicial administrative issue anyway is what I'd like to know?
SIMPLE ANSWER: ATTENTION; RECOGNITION; POLITICS
Reject another Courthouse Bond Issue. Put the Judges of Broward to Work, Vote out the Slackers, Backsliders and Political Pranksters. The Public Must be made aware of the Problems Facing Broward County's Judiciary. The ability to hold secret dockets and remove them from Public Records continues to threaten Public Confidence. Accountability from elected and appointed Judges and Public Officials is what is required to restore confidence to a beleaguered Justice System.
As the conflict continues? How about a new courthouse not being needed? The citizens of Broward have spoken. Move on to fixing the problems with our judges.
I agree. 450 million for what? Wouldn't that be much better spent on something else?
Ms. Pozzuoli, Scherer and friends put them on the bench and Bogenshutz gets them off with the JQC when they bomb (and Satz never says boo either). Now the same guys are going to clean up the mess they fostered and enabled like the see no evil / hear no evil monkeys. It stinks. The circus is still in town.
I bet Dale had a dream they would name a new courthouse after him. You know, the "I'm the longest serving chief judge in Florida history" guy. Boy, look at his legacy now. He couldn't even carry Lunch in.
Gee whiz Skipper. You sure sound tough pounding on the judges. You'd make a heck of a sheriff, you really would.
Anyone who is in the courthouse on a regular basis knows the need for some major renovations. Whomever was the brain behind the North Wing layout is probably not in business anymore. What a waste of space between the East Wing and the North Wing. Had Broward County/South Florida not been suffering the high cost of living (taxes, insurance, etc.) without the matching increases in salaries (State salaries bite it), the referendum would have passed.
However, costs been the norm, and the Judge problems come alive, it would have failed for that reason too.
It's time the people of Broward learn who they're voting for instead of them choosing the first name on the ballot. Judges are allowed to stay on the bench because the voters are ignorant when it comes to knowing who's who.
It's up to ALL of us to remedy that.
A new courthouse is not what's needed.
The referendum would have failed at any rate regardless of the situation surrounding the judiciary. The subject is unrelated. It's just being used as a by line for political gain.
Skip for Sheriff? That's a very long shot.
they already have districts named after judge ross -- called the red light district
tired of hearing about the good judges, they sat around and did nothing to stop the corruption. now u may call that good, i call it pathetic. we still need to get rid of the crap and let the others know everyone will be held to a high standard. we need watch dogs. drug testing and polygraphs
And some jerkoff attorney called me a dumbass for criticising Skippy boy.
You clowns are incredible!!!!!
"Retired Judges" were abolished by Supreme Court years ago and ETU is being dismantled
What is ETU?
How is it that a judge can void only half of an agreement made by two parties. How can he ignore the testimony of only one individual? How does he not know the law?
How is it possible to hold "ex-parte* information hostage for three and a half years, when it is public record on My Florida.com and on the Broward County records. Proof of fraud and perjury!