A CONVERSATION WITH IAN RICHARDS
Judge Ian RichardsIncoming County Court Judge Ian Richards spoke to JAABLOG earlier this evening about his successful campaign and the significance of his victory. He was candid and thoughtful in his comments.
On the topic of Catalina Avalos, he wishes her the best of luck. He would not elaborate on the reasons why he chose her as his opponent, preferring to rely on his previous statements to the press and those he made during the campaign. He won and she lost, and he believes everyone needs to look forward at this point. He does not believe in kicking someone when they're down. He is praying for her and her family.
Why did he want to be a judge in the first place?
Richards was weary of all the complaining and anger about the state of the courts. He was tired of all the frustrated lawyers threatening to run against an incumbent. He realized if you keep talking about something without offering solutions or taking action, you are just whining. He decided to "just do it" win or lose, to take his shot, and quit the whiners club.
Was his victory simply a knee-jerk reaction by a small pool of voters against an Hispanic name?
Richards says no.
He worked hard in Broward's often overlooked minority communities, where he made a strong showing. He added that the name "Richards" is a common Jamaican name (where his parents were born), and his ties to Broward's Caribbean-American community are strong and longstanding.
Richards also points out that the final tally indicates something more was at play than an anti-Hispanic vote. If that had been the case, he should have won in a landslide, as opposed to a slim 1500 vote margin. More people voted in his race than in other judicial races, where many abstained instead of voting for a candidate they did not know. He believes his grassroots base carried the day, prompted by his frequent radio appearances, school ties, and targeted mailing/sign campaign.
Did the Black Community leaders support him?
Richards says yes and no.
He says they did not support him publicly, and he's not surprised. Part of the problem, he believes, was his lack of experience in relation to Avalos, and the fact that he had not been active in the upper echelons of Broward politics prior to the campaign. He also realizes that many of the community leaders, including lots of lawyers, rely on the legal system for their daily bread. He believes people were careful to publicly toe the party line (pro Avalos), while ultimately filling the bubble for him in the privacy of the voting booth. Richards is thankful they supported him, but disappointed it had to happen the way it did.
Was he upset by the Avalos' campaign flyer featuring his picture? Does he feel she played the race card?
Richards says he was angered by the flyer, but not because of the picture. He says he is a black man, that's what he looks like, and that's who he is. He does not believe she purposely darkened the picture, seeing as how the picture was a photocopy from a newspaper, which always copy darker. It was her prerogative to print the picture, he says, and if she thought she needed to do it, it's ok.
What did upset him about the flyer is that it misstated his experience level. He has, in fact, been a member of the Bar for 6 years, while the ad stated his experience level at 3.5 years. He concedes Avalos had greater experience, and does not understand why she felt it necessary to further "mangle" his experience level by chopping off two and a half years based on a faulty newspaper article. He terms his anger at this point as "water under the bridge."
How does he hope to be received as a judge?
Richards hopes the judges and legal community take a "deep breath." He knows there are some ruffled feathers, but he is now part of the system. He wants to be perceived as fair and unbiased, and stressed that this standard is the only one by which a judge should be judged. As an aside, he urges all citizens to attend judicial candidate seminars at election time, noting some candidates may have had their eyes opened when they were taught there are not supposed to be two prosecutors or two defense lawyers involved in hearings.
Richards added that even as a prosecutor in Miami, he never found it funny or something to celebrate when he gained a conviction or a lengthy sentence. Instead, he found it tragic, because of what it says about our society and its failures as a whole (he probably never saw the trophy wall featuring pictures of mostly African-American offenders convicted after trial at the Broward SAO). He aims to remember the human element in all of this, adding there is a reason why we have people administering justice instead of robots or computers which can be programmed with facts and data. He does not "want to hang around in the clouds," and will stay closely tied to the community.
What is the significance of his victory?
Richards stresses that elections are constitutionally mandated for a reason. While there are lots of great judges out there, the opposite is also true. He hopes others will see that anything is possible, that the old idea that a candidate must have the support of community leaders, the so called "judgemakers," is dead. He reminds us Avalos had all the power brokers on her side and she lost, pointing to the simple truth that the people who think they make the decisions for the community do not in the end.
Richards believes you have to assume the community wants something. He says lawyers considering runs should eschew major political gatherings stuffed with lawyers and community leaders and focus instead on community gatherings/activities and houses of worship. Start early, not 6 months before the election. "Just talk to folks," he says, "and they'll come out for you if you listen."
Richards does not want to be viewed as a change agent. He hopes only that he has opened eyes to see that nothing is impossible. He does not see a downside to challenging a judge, and he bets a lot of incumbent judges up for reelection will become better judges in the lead-up to the 2010 election season.
And does he worry he will face an opponent in 6 years?
"I don't care about that at all. I am just grateful God graced me with this opportunity to make a difference."
I voted for Ian for a change. I am not saying that just because he won. I voted for another newbie and let's just leave it at that. I wish Ian the best and I have confidence he will do the best he can but most of all have the deameanor and write attitude. Every has to start somewhere from experience. I am just concerned that Ian will be too open and naive as to the coming and going of the courthouse politics. Good Luck we cannot wait to call you YOUR HONOR!!!!
He doesnt want to talk about why he chose her because he knows it was her name. that is it. I do not respect him and I think most dont. Hopefully he will be good and change some minds. But most hispanic lawyers will remember that he does not like them. I hope that I am wrong but I think if Mr. Richards, Ms. Felds and (god help us!!) Mardi Cohen are an example of the new judiciary- Broward deserves the garbage they elected all because of their ignorance and racism
I respectfully disagree but there was a candidate or two that hit the regular crowd on campaigning, and did not win. This is unfair and just unrealistic. You cannot say because you hit the public that another candidate did not. You just hit it lucky Ian with your name and the name of your opponent, if not you would have stayed with running against DeLuca but you knew everyone liked him too much. Let's be real and don't be a judge / politician before you even get your robe on. Make us proud but don't forget those that ran also and took a chance and won or lost. Always remember your roots and where you came from.
so if he loses in 6 years does that mean God has stopped "gracing him"..and by the way Ian..if God can impact an election then surely he would never have allowed racism and crime to fester in this country.I hear God graced the jets against the Dolphins on Sunday...
I give mollica credit for running. She did not chose a name but chose a vicious judge to run against. I do criminal and family and anyone not knowing what i am saying should go to goldenberg courtroom and see how self righteous and pompous this judge is to every one. God Bless America and the right to run against an incumbent. Too bad that haggard bat goldenberg she needs a face lift is still on the bench. i would prefer the butterball mollica rather than a slim (slime) ball.
Dear Mr. Scherer: where are your wonderful words or thoughts on this subject. Why didnt you try to get Ian appointed. Had you known that Ian would win, would you have tried to get him appointed? Are you that self righteous that you only pick the cream of the crop or in reality the losers. Who was zooming who? Did Ana zoom you? We all know! Are you proud? Is this a lesson you will teach to your children?
I never heard anything from him before but he sounds wise beyond his years. This could be the typical Jaab spin but I hope not. He really makes some good points and I hope he means it. I guess we'll have at least 5 years to see.
Dear Julioberg if only you had a jewish name. You should have been born in brooklyn and not the bronx then you would have won your election. Or is that pedrowitz I am talking about. Anyway Julioberg we will miss you and yes you had the best demeanor but broward will have to live with the new and next time it will make everyone more aware of who to campaign for and who not to campaign for in an election. it is all in a name but shouldn't be because you are a class act. we wonder who will replace you. there are only a few of you left in broward.
He takes the high road but that darkened flier was shameful
The flyer was a desparate attempt. I heard Catalina nostrils were flaring at the Carib Amer. Club when Ian, I mean Judge Ian spoke. He was awesome. Let's all give Ian a round of applause, but Ian please remember where you came from and your short comings. Please promise us and you can begin now by acting humble. That is why we all voted for you. Your humbleness. Not every black political consultant that wants to take glory in your name. Remember us of Ian when we come before you. Let's see how you do after Judge school.
He'll do fine. Geez, how hard is it to be a County judge?
I give Mollica half credit. She should have run against an incumbent that had minimal chance of winning with a non jewish name or had run with another person in the dog fight to prolong the race until November. She has contacts beyond her telling that will always be suppressed because that is the way the powerful are in this world not like bolsterers. But lets face it we all did not know, we act like we knew, that the condos were name recognition only, but she could have gotten another miserable off the bench and that would have been okay. She is a class act, but let's be smarter next time Kim if you decide to run again. God knows you don't need the salary. Let's all help Ian and anyone else who understands how Judges should remember that being humble is a grace and strength and not considered a weakness.
Did he congratulate Ian?
OH WE FORGOT TO SAY VOTE MARDI LEVEY OR IS IT MARDI LEVEY COHEN OR IS IT MARDI COHEN? WE ARE SO CONFUSED. IS MARDI RUNNING AGAINST 3 OTHER PEOPLE WITH HER NAME. NOW THAT WOULD BE FUNNY. HOW ABOUT WE HAVE A BALLOT WITH ALL THREE NAMES.
Whether Richards is an opportunist or not doesn't matter. He will be better than Avalos the prosecutor no matter what. His victory sends a message. No more prosecutors in robes baaaaby!!!!
Did Hurley call and congratulate Richards. Now that would be telling. and what about our CJ Tobin?
No more prosecutor in robes for this flick. But the story goes he was a prosecutor in dade and he got fired. Any truth to that? What happened? Anyone know anyone from Dade SAO? Hope this guy is not bad news?
What if he's like Sammy Davis Jr and Rod Carew?
Black and Jewish = Election proof!!!!
I give her 66.66% credit. 1/2 is not enough. She does have contacts that are political but she will not acknowledge them publicly possibly not comment on or silently deny. She is a republican which is not kosher in broward but that does not mean bad. Anyone that really knows miss mollica knows that. But right now it does not matter, she lost. she needs to lighten up and stop being so italian and making everything a secret and go on a few more ski trips. she needs to get a life and get remarried (preferably to a guy with a jewish name). Don't let kim fool you, she is part of "the club" but unbeknownst to everyone is silent about it but not for misleading reasons. I cannot wait until a judge tries to punish her for running against an incumbent. If she runs again I will donate to her campaign if I do not have to worry about a judge taking notes of contributions. So now we are watching her honor and we are taking notes. Hopefully she will be on her best behavior. Leopards do not change their spots. The scales of justice will prevail.
Poor Julio only had half.
I agree on her being silently effective, strong and sweet too.
You sure have a lot on your plate. You have a tough road ahead of you but know that we are behind you 110%.
Everyone will see that the meanie judge here will progressively get nastier and more vile each day. Our firm did a few family cases before her and it was an experience. If Vic our CJ was worth anything he would move her to probate or dependency and do his job and not allow someone with these qualities by the standards of her ruin it for the name of some great judges in the courthouse. If he had any balls but I don't see him having them big enough against her. I agree leopards do not change their spots. Too bad she did not lose.
CONGRATULATIONS WE ARE ALL CHEERING FOR YOU. I BET CATATLINA'S REAR END IS BURNING. TOO BAD EVERYONE DESERVES A TURN. THEY SHOULD HAVE TERM LIMITS ON JUDGES FOR 12 YEARS MAXIMUM.
Just the beginning for Broward Judges as they face opposition in the future. I applaud all those with courage enough to take on sitting judges. They have made in many cases a mockery of justice.
It is for the people of Broward to decide who sits and who is out. The arrogance of Broward Judges has brought this upon themselves.
I wonder how long it will be until they start doing their jobs well and take this lesson to heart before they face the ultimate result.
But they all seem to be in the bunkers anyway looking for a way to re-invent themselves in a positive light.
Any number of them have real problems that will put them out of office sooner than they think.
They will serve the people of Broward or they like Dijols and Avalos will be looking for other jobs.
I think it's good to have as much change as possible on the bench.
As we have repeatedly seen, experience means little or nothing if the person is a good judge with the right intentions in his or her heart.
The Broward Judicial Politicos are definitely on their way out, and soon.
Whatever you do Mr. Richards, don't let the corrupt judges whose only concern is their positions and the right to them co-opt or incorporate you into the same mode of thinking as the one they suffer from.
You sound like a more educated man who has seen the world and who has faith and is thankful for your good fortune than what we have here with Broward Judges thinking they have the right to treat people anyway they want to and are immune to the consequences.
You are better man then they because you earned your position.
Please don't let us down. We have great faith in your ability to lead our judiciary out of the dark ages of political corruption and into a new age of honor and integrity.
We are all wishing you the best as you begin your tenure. Thanks from all of us for your courage and conviction.
You are not like some of the other minority judges we have on the bench who care only about themselves and what their positions can do for them. We applaud you for your effort and integrity.
His victory just sends the message that you cant be a judge if you have a hispanic name. But lets see if that is still the case in another 6 years.
Too bad Gardiner doesn't have a Hispanic name anymore. But Honorable Judges Kaplan and Avalos have led by example. It is ok to run pictures of your minority opponents. Someone should send out ads with Gardiner's maiden name attached to the New Times article. Might do the trick.
VOTE MARDI ANNE LEVEY FOR JUDGE, 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. VOTE MARDI FOR CHANGE. VOTE FOR EXCELLENCE. VOTE MARDI ANNE LEVEY IN NOVEMBER.
Excellent interview of a man who speaks his mind in honest terms. It must come as a real shock to some other judges to hear the truth being told in no uncertain terms. The days of the judicial tyrants are almost at an end. We need more good people like Mr. Richards to run against these judges that can't get it yet.