(Soon to be Chief) Judge Moreno

Julie Kay writes today about Judge Moreno becoming Chief of the District in July. The article is very favorable to Judge Moreno (rightfully so). Here is the conclusion to the article:

Moreno was appointed to the bench in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. He began his legal career as an associate with a civil law firm before becoming an assistant federal public defender in Miami. He then switched back to the private sector, becoming a partner at Thornton Rothman & Moreno in Miami. In 1986, he was appointed a Miami-Dade County Court judge. The following year, he was elevated to the circuit court by Republican Gov. Bob Martinez. Moreno has received numerous awards, including the 2004 Lawyer of the Americas Award, the Outstanding Immigrant Award from Catholic Charities Legal Services, the Pro Bono Service Award of the Cuban-American Bar Association and the “People Helping People” Award from the United Way of Miami-Dade. He is consistently rated near the top in Miami-Dade County Bar Association polls. Miami criminal defense attorney Roy Black calls Moreno “the perfect person for that job.” “He’s so engaging and personable,” Black said. “He treats the lawyers on both sides with courtesy and is the kind of person who can build consensus.”

In the same article, there is discussion about the Bankest sentencings that have been continued. Apparently the guidelines are life. Considering the recent variances in white collar sentencings in Enron, Adelphia, Dynegy, and so on, I don't think Judge Jordan will impose a life sentence.