MEDIA 11/11
Joseph Conte, BSO Deputy Killed During Prisoner Transfer; Triggerman Scheduled For Release:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/303554.html
"The similarities of the Conte case to the slaying last week of Broward Sheriff's Office transport Deputy Paul Rein brought back tragic memories for many officers -- and may fuel their fight to keep Conte's killer behind bars."
SENTINEL:
"South Florida Police Facing More Criminals Not Afraid To Shoot At Them":
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flakillingcops1111nbnov11,0,7873823.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout
"Among the factors: the growing numbers of light, cheap assault weapons, overcrowded prisons that are hardening juveniles and adults, cutbacks in police budgets and anti-crime programs, and the rise of street gangs in South Florida and other parts of the United States..."
"The shoot-first mentality also may be the effect of a decade of harsher sentencing for drug use and three-strikes laws that leave many felons with the sense they have nothing to lose. Michael Mazza, 40, who is accused of shooting Rein on Wednesday morning as the deputy was driving him from jail to a court hearing, was a career criminal facing life in prison for armed robbery. He had spent most of the past 10 years in prison on a variety of charges..."
"Other experts fear the impetus on mandatory sentencing, combined with tougher police responses to crime-ridden communities, is hardening life in high-crime areas. Federal cuts to after-school programs and rehabilitation programs for prisoners have left police officers with few resources to prevent crime surges. There have been more than $2 billion in cuts in Justice Department law enforcement programs since 2002.
"You have a lot of inmates, people who were incarcerated during the war on drugs in the '80s and '90s, being returned to the streets without jobs and without prospects," said Jack Levin, a criminologist at Northeastern University in Massachusetts. "Some of them are going right back to drugs, drug gangs, trafficking. They've done hard time and they don't really care.""
(Hey Mr. Satz, do you think it might be time to prioritize? Hello? It's 2007? Anyone?)
Palm Beach DNA Case Expert To Cost $126,000: McSorley Balks:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpdunbar1110pnnov10,0,6319364.story
Mike wants one more term before he rides off into the sunset. He can't change now. He'll appear weak if he does.
Is it coincidence we have more shootings of police in Broward than Palm Beach or Miami?
Or is it the sense of no fair play in Broward courts that starts with Mike Satz?
Being Fair To Crack Dealers
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1681595,00.html
The prison camp has no cellblocks, provides a track for walking and offers classes in culinary arts and college correspondence courses, according to federal officials, ex-inmates and visitors.
Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-oxford07nov07,1,4818953,full.story?ctrack=2&cset=true
According to the Consensus Project, “The Los Angeles County Jail, the Cook County Jail (Chicago) and Riker’s Island (New York City) each hold more people with mental illness on any given day than any hospital in the United States.” Research has also found that behind the walls, nearly half of the inmates with mental illness were convicted of non-violent crimes. A 1998 survey conducted by the Colorado Department of Corrections found that of 31 states reporting, 19 of them saw a disproportionate increase in the number of mentally ill inmates in relation to the overall increase in the inmate population.
http://www.corrections.com/news/article/16946
D.C. Sees Sharp Drop In Federal Prosecution
By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 21, 2007; A01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/20/AR2007102001106_pf.html
NYC jail inmates to get uniforms, lose telephone privacy
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--jaildresscode1108nov08,0,4649813.story
Previously, only those who had already been convicted were issued the jail's dark green uniforms. That left most of the system's prisoners (about 14,000 on an average day) dressed in their street clothes. About 80 percent of the inmates at Rikers and other city jails are people awaiting trial.
After 35 years in prison, the man who shot and paralyzed Alabama Gov. George Wallace during his racially charged 1972 presidential campaign is scheduled to be released Friday
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVpjGV8PU5S65LGcX7syKWSn6IHAD8SPP6NO0
The rivalry and violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims isn't just limited to Iraq. It is increasingly found in one place presumed shut off from the influence of faraway sectarian politics: New York's state prisons.
http://www.nysun.com/article/65974
The Broward County Clerk of Courts launched an online service this month that steers citizens through the application process for filing divorce actions, small claims lawsuits and tenant evictions.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbclerk1112nbnov12,0,3701326.story
Judicial Elections vs. Appointments
http://www.sdfla.blogspot.com/
Judicial Elections vs. Appointments
In theory, judicial elections seem like a great idea -- judges are accountable; it's democratic; we're not stuck with a bad judge for life...
But in practice, here in South Florida, judicial elections in the state system are problematic.
The biggest problem (at least for the lawyers) is campaign season. Everyone is asking for money for this fundraiser or that fundraiser even though the elections are a year away and even though most candidates do not have any challenger. Is it me or is this election cycle the earliest and most intense yet?
Then the election itself is not based on any particular position of the candidate. Candidates can't campaign on their personal beliefs. And it's not based on who is better qualified. There is really no rhyme or reason as to who gets elected.
Plus, it's difficult to tell why certain candidates draw opposition and others don't. Those with the lowest bar ratings oftentimes don't draw opposition, while those with the highest do. Many argue that the choices as to where to run are based largely on race and gender.
Don't get me wrong -- the federal system has its flaws too. It's nearly impossible to get rid of a bad judge, and robeitis (the disease that many lawyers get when they become judges) is particularly acute in the federal system. But I'll take the federal system of choosing judges any day to elections.
As a side note, the concern about politicizing the process is a valid concern, but look at Charlie Crist. He has made superb appointments in the state system, and they have been party-blind appointments.
What about elections from a small group of pre-qualified candidates? Or the state appellate system where voters could remove a poorly functioning judge? Thoughts?
Senior Orange Circuit Judge Kaney removed from bench
The Florida Supreme Court won't put the retired jurist on any more overflow cases.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-judge0907nov09,0,7366623.story
Judge defends call to free woman
Maxwell violated procedure, State Attorney's Office claims
A Brevard County judge made a Sunday afternoon phone call to expedite the release of his former business partner's sister from the county jail.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071109/NEWS01/711090354
In a contentious meeting, court officials teamed up against County Administrator Bob Weisman and agreed to spend roughly $94,000 for a consultant to analyze a system they say has produced nothing but headaches since it became fully operational last fall.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/11/09/c1c_computer_1109.html
Sipes Atty Accused of Playing Race Card:
http://www.ocala.com/article/20071109/OPINION/211090315/0/APE
Florida Bar scolds ex-PB Public defender for arrests
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/11/07/m5b_RAMSEY_1107.html
FLORIDA BAR PRESIDENT URGES RESTORATION OF THE RULE OF LAW TO PAKISTAN
Statement by Francisco R. Angones, President of The Florida Bar:
"Recent events in Pakistan should deeply disturb every member of the legal profession, and indeed anyone who cares about the rule of law in our world. I condemn the removal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the arrest of many local bar leaders, and attacks on the Pakistani legal community at large. An independent bar and judiciary are absolutely vital to all lawful societies. I encourage my colleagues in The Florida Bar to join me and urge others to speak out for the immediate restoration of the rule of law in Pakistan."