TUESDAY NOTES: FIGHT!
Did anyone else hear about the fight in Judge Richard's courtroom this morning? We don't have the specifics, but Ian apparently got off the bench, physically separated the warring couple, and then resumed court without blinking an eye. Never a dull moment in Domestic Violence, as jujitsu Geoff can also tell you.
12:00 PM UPDATE: This is what we're being told: Judge Richards revoked the guy's bond because the victim testified he tried to run her over. The guy goes nuts, and starts pounding on the victim. Richards jumps down to assist the deputies and ASA Andy Newman, and they subdue him. We don't think the victim went to the hospital, and the courtroom was basically empty at the time.
We're told depos in the JQC v. Terri-Ann Miller were taken last Thursday and Friday at Bailey Reporting. The deponents were drawn from this list. Michael Schneider for the JQC, Michael Catalano for Judge Miller, with Terri-Ann herself sitting in. Fun, fun, fun. Supposedly the JQC offer went beyond the standard Public Reprimand, which is irrelevant anyway since Judge Miller maintains her innocence. This could be leading to another full blown trial, which means it might be time for us to finally figure out what this Twitter thing is all about.
Speaking of Twitter, check out the Southern District of Florida Blog for this post on Chief Judge Moreno's banning of texting, etc. from courtrooms. Nobody is really sure if it applies to lawyers or just to reporter's, so post a comment and let us know which way is up.
As many of you know, the SAO has been dumping cases when attorneys push them regarding currently under investigation BSO Deputy Charles Grady. Basically, if you have a case involving Grady, particularly a DUI, you can file a motion like this one. The SAO will then come back with either a Nolle Prosse or a reduced charge, like Reckless Driving.
Nobody really knows for sure, but rumors are swirling about lots of bad stops that usually involve hot women, including strippers from time to time. The scuttlebutt is that if criminal charges are filed against Grady, the dropped cases will remain dropped, but if no charges are filed, some of the cases could be refiled. Choose carefully. You might want to take that Reckless.
Sounds kind of fishy, doesn't it? On one hand, the SAO seems more concerned about protecting a cop than it does about protecting the public. Why else would it choose to turn accused drunk drivers and others loose to terrorize the streets of Broward, instead of coming clean on the Grady matter? Or, is it simply that all the stops were so egregious that they know they can't win anyway so why cause a public scandal? Or, is it that Grady is getting a raw deal, and that he will eventually be cleared, with many cases being refiled? We can't say for sure, but knowing our beloved SAO, it seems more likely that public safety is once again taking a backseat to politics.
Lastly, in the "Breath of Fresh Air" category, we bring you the following transcript. This comes from a case that is currently open, featuring a particularly nasty alleged violation of probation. The attorney and judge are in negotiations for a plea, with the judge offering some refreshing and candid advice to counsel in plain english that any client can readily understand. A bit unorthodox, perhaps, but it would be hard to accuse this particular judge of being anything but straight up. We love it.
From the transcript:
THE COURT: You can take (the State's) offer, plea open, or go to final hearing. If you choose the final hearing and (the State's) right about the case law she (the defendant) could be up shit's creek.
OVER & OUT
Daily Pulp: ASA Catherine Maus Should Step Down From City Board
DBR: Miami PD using pro bono civil lawyers to cut through backlog
Application for civil lawyers
12:00 PM UPDATE: This is what we're being told: Judge Richards revoked the guy's bond because the victim testified he tried to run her over. The guy goes nuts, and starts pounding on the victim. Richards jumps down to assist the deputies and ASA Andy Newman, and they subdue him. We don't think the victim went to the hospital, and the courtroom was basically empty at the time.
We're told depos in the JQC v. Terri-Ann Miller were taken last Thursday and Friday at Bailey Reporting. The deponents were drawn from this list. Michael Schneider for the JQC, Michael Catalano for Judge Miller, with Terri-Ann herself sitting in. Fun, fun, fun. Supposedly the JQC offer went beyond the standard Public Reprimand, which is irrelevant anyway since Judge Miller maintains her innocence. This could be leading to another full blown trial, which means it might be time for us to finally figure out what this Twitter thing is all about.
Speaking of Twitter, check out the Southern District of Florida Blog for this post on Chief Judge Moreno's banning of texting, etc. from courtrooms. Nobody is really sure if it applies to lawyers or just to reporter's, so post a comment and let us know which way is up.
As many of you know, the SAO has been dumping cases when attorneys push them regarding currently under investigation BSO Deputy Charles Grady. Basically, if you have a case involving Grady, particularly a DUI, you can file a motion like this one. The SAO will then come back with either a Nolle Prosse or a reduced charge, like Reckless Driving.
Nobody really knows for sure, but rumors are swirling about lots of bad stops that usually involve hot women, including strippers from time to time. The scuttlebutt is that if criminal charges are filed against Grady, the dropped cases will remain dropped, but if no charges are filed, some of the cases could be refiled. Choose carefully. You might want to take that Reckless.
Sounds kind of fishy, doesn't it? On one hand, the SAO seems more concerned about protecting a cop than it does about protecting the public. Why else would it choose to turn accused drunk drivers and others loose to terrorize the streets of Broward, instead of coming clean on the Grady matter? Or, is it simply that all the stops were so egregious that they know they can't win anyway so why cause a public scandal? Or, is it that Grady is getting a raw deal, and that he will eventually be cleared, with many cases being refiled? We can't say for sure, but knowing our beloved SAO, it seems more likely that public safety is once again taking a backseat to politics.
Lastly, in the "Breath of Fresh Air" category, we bring you the following transcript. This comes from a case that is currently open, featuring a particularly nasty alleged violation of probation. The attorney and judge are in negotiations for a plea, with the judge offering some refreshing and candid advice to counsel in plain english that any client can readily understand. A bit unorthodox, perhaps, but it would be hard to accuse this particular judge of being anything but straight up. We love it.
From the transcript:
THE COURT: You can take (the State's) offer, plea open, or go to final hearing. If you choose the final hearing and (the State's) right about the case law she (the defendant) could be up shit's creek.
OVER & OUT
Daily Pulp: ASA Catherine Maus Should Step Down From City Board
DBR: Miami PD using pro bono civil lawyers to cut through backlog
Application for civil lawyers
Is there video?
Did Judge Richards ever think that the appropriate thing to do is to stay on the bench and let BSO handle it. Not judicious conduct by Ian (as Jaab calls him)
cohen did it too
The next WrestleMania will be held at the Broward County Courthouse. Look at all the fun today! I am trying to personally promote a Satz vs. Finkelstein Courtroom Cage Match!
I'll kick all your asses!!!
Whatever...
I bet Judge Aleman charges the tax payers with the cost of her going to Tallahassee to be yelled at by the Supreme Court.
I wonder if they will discuss her recent problem?
Dear Judge Aleman, Please go do something else for a living.
A defense lawyer
Good for Ian. Got my vote any many others the next time around.
My money is on Satz. He's old, but wiry. And we all know he's mean and can fight dirty when the chips are down. Five hundred on the old man!
Gotta love a Judge who is not afraid to curse on the record!
The video is up on the Sentinel. Judge wastes no time coming OVER the bench to her aid, as did the prosecutor. Check it out.
You wouldn't have seen Judge HURLey mess up his bow-tie or many other judges do what Judge Richards did. It's commendable but not smart.
Isn't that what the panic button is for?
The video shows the Judge springing into action and not being a coward.
Did the man have mental health issues? If so this probably wasn't his fault and the title should be renamed it's a shame what happened in Judge Richards Courtroom as we all know this is how these things normally play out on this blog. Additionally he obviously should not get jail time.
"Nobody really knows for sure, but rumors are swirling about lots of bad stops that usually involve hot women, including strippers from time to time."
From time to time? Dude, at least of half of Grady's PCs start within two blocks of Pure Platinum.
With Grady out of action that equates to at least 10 less DUI arrests a week. At 7000 dollars a pop this represents a 3,000,000 dollar loss to the DUI defense attorney community. Yikes!!! To all those who hate Grady watch what you wish for.
Did you see the video on judge ian richaards? What does he think he's on Broward Blvd and MLK. He literally jumped over the BENCH to beat the heck out a misdemeanor defendant. What is he nuts? Judges shouldn't act like that.
This video will go national. Richards will be on Leno before this is over. Celebrity 30 year old athletic judge to the rescue!
There is nothing in the Florida Rules of Professional Responsibility stating that in these circumstances Judge Richards' actions are in way, shape or form poor conduct. He did what any person, I would like to believe, what any person would have done.
Has anyone opened up any 1 or 2 year old Grady cases on the Brady material?
Never been in front of J. Richards, but I just love a judge who acts like a god damn human being!
Judge Hurley acted like a human being and Howard Finkelstein and soon the 4th DCA will explain to him that if you want to be a judge you need to check your emotions at the door.
great blog guys
It doesn't look to me like he acted "professionally." Is he a judge and a bailiff?
Ha ha... that's the best Scherer could do... cheat on her husband with a sleazy guy like Grady. He slept with anyone, strippers, drunks, ASA's.... What a guy!
You know Seidman is pissed he wasn't sitting in Judge Richard's place, he would have shot the defendant and called it a day.
Lee Jay would have blown this guy away.
Correct, it went national. Richards was on the Today Show this A.M. It seems he was trying to protect the victim moreso than take the def. down. Goodluck to the Defense on this case!
typical nagger
nag nag nag
Typical Broward response.
Answer could be snoozing in the anteroom that was supposed to be for lawyers, or checking to make sure next month's senior citizen handicap parking passes were mailed out on time.