MEDIA 12/8
Posted by JAABLOG at 12/8/2007 8:17 AM 
Categories: Finkelstein, Aleman, Keechl, HILLSBOROUGH, HolderGregory, RodstromJohn, Cooper
Categories: Finkelstein, Aleman, Keechl, HILLSBOROUGH, HolderGregory, RodstromJohn, Cooper
HERALD:
"BROWARD JUDGE ALEMAN'S CASE TALK OF LEGAL CIRCLES":
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/336767.html
SENTINEL:
COUNTY COMMISSION CONSIDERS CHARGING CITIES $90 A DAY FOR ORDINANCE JAILINGS:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbhomeless1208sbdec08,0,4255550.story
"The county has two reasons for exploring the idea of charging the cities. First, some commissioners share Finkelstein's concern about how Fort Lauderdale in particular has treated the homeless. Second, some fear a second round of property tax relief next year and are looking for ways to balance the budget to pay for it...
The discussion of cities arresting the homeless and sending them to the county jail arose a month ago. County Commissioner John Rodstrom complained after seeing how Fort Lauderdale police treated homeless people on the beach and newspaper street vendors.
"I find it repulsive that our answer to homelessness is to put them in jail when we don't have enough space for real criminals," Rodstrom said."
RAPE SUSPECT BOLTS DURING TRIAL:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbescape1208pndec08,0,3306957.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout
BROWARD TIMES:
PROFILE OF ATTORNEY LEVI WILLIAMS:
http://www.browardtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=797&Itemid=1
"There is a silent but forceful wave of advocacy spreading through the streets of Broward County. The energy of righting wrongs and balancing the scales of justice does not stem from chanting groups or peaceful street demonstrations. This move for equality is fueled by Levi Williams, a savvy corporate attorney who is armed with the intelligence to get respect and results...
“I know him as a good lawyer, good father and a good friend,” said Judge Martin Dishowitz, 56, a Broward County court judge in the Civil Division who has known Williams for 10 years. “I know he cares deeply about the community and the people in it.”
ST. PETERSBURG TIMES:
ATTY ARNOLD LEVINE CLEARED OF ETHICS CHARGES:
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/12/06/Hillsborough/Lawyer_cleared_in_eth.shtml
"BROWARD JUDGE ALEMAN'S CASE TALK OF LEGAL CIRCLES":
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/336767.html
SENTINEL:
COUNTY COMMISSION CONSIDERS CHARGING CITIES $90 A DAY FOR ORDINANCE JAILINGS:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbhomeless1208sbdec08,0,4255550.story
"The county has two reasons for exploring the idea of charging the cities. First, some commissioners share Finkelstein's concern about how Fort Lauderdale in particular has treated the homeless. Second, some fear a second round of property tax relief next year and are looking for ways to balance the budget to pay for it...
The discussion of cities arresting the homeless and sending them to the county jail arose a month ago. County Commissioner John Rodstrom complained after seeing how Fort Lauderdale police treated homeless people on the beach and newspaper street vendors.
"I find it repulsive that our answer to homelessness is to put them in jail when we don't have enough space for real criminals," Rodstrom said."
RAPE SUSPECT BOLTS DURING TRIAL:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbescape1208pndec08,0,3306957.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout
BROWARD TIMES:
PROFILE OF ATTORNEY LEVI WILLIAMS:
http://www.browardtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=797&Itemid=1
"There is a silent but forceful wave of advocacy spreading through the streets of Broward County. The energy of righting wrongs and balancing the scales of justice does not stem from chanting groups or peaceful street demonstrations. This move for equality is fueled by Levi Williams, a savvy corporate attorney who is armed with the intelligence to get respect and results...
“I know him as a good lawyer, good father and a good friend,” said Judge Martin Dishowitz, 56, a Broward County court judge in the Civil Division who has known Williams for 10 years. “I know he cares deeply about the community and the people in it.”
ST. PETERSBURG TIMES:
ATTY ARNOLD LEVINE CLEARED OF ETHICS CHARGES:
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/12/06/Hillsborough/Lawyer_cleared_in_eth.shtml
"Hillsborough Circuit Judge Gregory Holder had complained to the Bar that Levine tried to "engineer" his disqualification from a case involving a development dispute. He said Levine, upon learning that the judge was applying for appointment to the federal bench, wrote a disparaging letter to the nominating commission."
From Justice Building Blog:
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA
THE FLORIDA BAR,
Complainant,
v. Case Numbers SC 07 - 80 and 07- 354
JOHN B. THOMPSON,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF PROHIBITION
TO DISQUALIFY REFEREE TUNIS
http://justicebuilding.blogspot.com/2007/12/thompson-v-tunis.html
Has anyone pulled a copy of the TRO petition that David Krathen denied? What were the allegations contained in it? Was the Judge correct or not? Could two people have died because of a Judges failure to act or failure to understand the law? Answers need to be given, the public has a right to know as does surviving family members. Would someone place a copy of the petition on this blog. PLEASE HELP!
Starting to view this Aleman situation in a different light, almost like a witch hunt. Can't believe they went to trial on this and not O'Connor. Night and day difference. Interesting to hear Moldoff name pop up in testimony.
probably more then a coincidence that Krathen is being moved to Dependency
Truth is he was scheduled to move to Dependancy before this unfortunate incident.
Ever heard of Gideon vs Wainright, written on a piece of paper to the U.S. Supreme Court, granted the right to counsel in misdemeanor, right out of a real Florida case, no one should tear up any thing filed with the court, obstruction of Justice
actually the legend goes on Toilet paper it was written
Too bad Chiefy Vicky can hold a grudge for a couple of decades against Judge Krathen for supposedly stiffing the Vickster on a "referral fee" (are those even ethical) on a case.
Because Vicky still holds that grudge, Judge Krathen (who is a skilled and intelligent attorney) will continue to get crap assignments for as long as Vicky is handing them out.
His decisions on court assignments are right out of Mean Girls. I guess for the time being, Vicky, First Lady DD, and their side-kick Tuti will continue to act like snooty high-school cheerleaders.
Amazing how that nothing job turns people into teenagers again.
maybe thats the root of the problem, the assignment was treated like crap
Ever wondered how our bench would look if the two strict requirements to sit were both solely knowledge and legal ability versus political connections? You can only imagine!
I would be bothered if it were just knowledge and legal ability. Having a soul and empathy would be up there with your two criteria if it were up to me.
good point 10:39, lets make that the sole 4 criteria, does the picture still change?
How about integrity, intelligence, moral fiber, work ethic, good temperament?
its must simpler then that, the two primary basic neccessites needed as 10:39 wrote, with no political connections. the process is flawed, thats the problem. until thats fixed, all that can be done is point out the result of the process as the secondary solution.
How can the political element be removed from the process? Even nominees for the US Supreme Court is politically based. If the voters dont vote you in, you are left being appointed by an elected official. Even if its the Bar Assn who picks the Judges it will always go back to who knows who and while it may not be partisan politics, its still always going to be swayed by someones influence.
Maybe it should be the lawyers that practice in the circuit who vote on the judge. Who would know better. After that initial term, its up to the public. Im sure that would have an influence on actions from the bench.
Ok, so there were 63 people who put in for the Korda/Seidlin seats (wow....i almost wrote Seidman instead of Seidlin......just wishful thinking I suppose).
Which of those 63 had the characteristics we've just discussed: intellect, lawyering ability, empathy, soul, good temperament, and work ethic?
Did we get the "right" two?
My 2 cents on your question would be that only time will be able to answer that question. Personally, I think Raag had the credentials, however, its important to give the two new guys a fair shake.
1212
Good idea but as your posts said it would be left to a "vote", still going to be a political/popularity contest. If it were left to lawyers to vote the you would have to limit the voters to specialty areas. Sadly there is really no answer to this problem.
They should use merit retention for Circuit as well as DCA and Supreme Court. If you did merit retention you dont have to have a contested election for the people to vote.
Could tomorrow be the begginning of the end? What happens when the Damoorgian in Vicdamoorgian leaves?
Word around 201 SE 6th this week was that there was a nasty meeting between Vic and the County Judges.
Mary Robinson walks out after asking a question about satellite court and practically told to shut up by Vic because she never practiced in Satellite. Vic is certainly living up to his previous quotes in the media about knowing nothing about diversity.
The ever loyal Ana "volunteered" to be the full time magistrate court judge. Later when discussing the potential problems with the new plans for magistrate court Vic admits that despite flaws in the plan it has to be done to placate the press.
Much friction between the Circuit Judges in the current Administration, none of whom ever served in County Court, and the County Court Judges. Word is the County Judges are dismissed and looked down on by the Administration. Better watch out Vic, you need 45 votes for another term there are 30 there alone.
Another rumor is that ASA Lee Cohen and Former ASA/Judge Laz are angling to get Judge Joe Murphy shipped out the West Sat and get former ASA/Judge Avalos downtown. Besides not being Pro State, Judge Murphy has upset SAO because he ruled that Resisting Without Violence cases by the Seminole Tribe are a nullity because they are soverign and there is no comperable Federal Statute.
Interesting to see if Vic even lasts his term. Look to Backman to emerge as a future candidate to run as a middle guy between the Ross Extreme and Vic Extreme.
To: Awl Browerd Countee Jugges
From: Cheef Jugge Victor Tobin
cc: First Lady DD (we'll miss you when you to to WP
Date: 12/9/07
I am horrifyed that my fello jugges wood bak-stabb me bye leeking wat occurrred dooring hour meating last weak.
Wen I discovur hoo is the trayter, that purson wil bee punishd severly -- worse than Krathen.
Remembur that eye kan create as many TRO, Mental Helth, and Dependansy divisions as needed for mye enemees.
Be werned. And Afrayd....Veree Afrayd.
So who is Berman taking over for in January when they do away with the MM trial division? And did Mary really walk out or was she just looking for Mr. Ton..., sorry, Judge Tony, to explain to her what was goin on?
berman still has of backlogged cases he is not getting a division until they are cleared out
Last week's judicial meeting debacle goes to show what happens in the new administration when First Lady DD isn't there to keep control over Vic.
Their ineptitude knows no bounds when they are firing full blast, but G-d help us all when DD moves up to WPB. They'll have to start wiring Vic with one of those transmitters so DD can feed him lines, like GWB in the first 2004 debate.
Broward needs someone like Judge Len Stafford back on the bench. I am tired of all the BS, and I don't even live there anymore. How is Len anyways?
being larry seidlin back too
why doesn't berman just give those cases back to the regular division judges who pawned them off on him. lord knows they don't do much except send their cases to the trial division. poor guy didn't know what he was getting himself into.
ha ha
1013
Hey ADJ how many did you pawn off? Not that many because its rumored that you failed to sign Orders where the parties invoked the Rules of Civil Procedure taking the case out of small claims. Rumor has it that hundred of cases sat in limbo for almost a year because you never signed the orders. Efficient?
Fear not, Broward County.
Even though First Lady DD may be leaving for the greener pastures of WPB, another judge has arisen to take on the mantle of the brains behind Vic Tobin ---- Judge Ana Gardiner.
Word has it that Judge Tobin does not even consider speaking to the other judges unless Judge Gardiner is present to translate the garble-de-gook that comes out of Vic's mouth.
I am also advised that she has taken over the editing of the CJ's memos and communications. In fact, she has given him a whole new set of 64 Crayolas and lots of lined paper so he can learn to write his letters correctly.
So let's all give a cheer to the replacement for First Lady DD -- Her Royal Highness, Closet Queen Ana.
Wait a second. Didn't Gardiner testify at Aleman's trial that she doesn't understand common American words because Spanish is her first language?
What the hell is the ADJ actually doing with is time when he isn't pretending to be a Circuit Court Judge for the extra $150 a day (that can buy a lot of ice cream in Ashville)???
He only takes 22 minutes to blow through magistrates (I am sure giving all defendants an ample opportunity to ask questions and for the PD to make PC arguments....yah, right).
He wasn't handling his small claims case load since hundreds of cases languished with no transfer orders after Stipulations Invoking the Rules of Civil Procedure.
I guess with so little to do, he can spend his workdays blogging, having long lunches at Il Mulino (who pays for them, I wonder?), hunting down hispanics hiding in the bushes and traveling to and from the Ashville McMansion.
I guess with so little to do, it's perfectly ok for him to work a 3-day week.
Must be a good life to work that little for $130k+ a year.
I wonder why his "good friend" Charlie can't give him that full-time circuit seat that he so clearly covets.