Why I love Florida's Sunshine law

If you haven't seen this yet, you gotta read Susannah A. Nesmith's piece in the DBR today about the email clash between the state court judges on seniority:

Cueto, elected last year, fired off a letter Oct. 14 questioning Brown’s authority to take away his short-term seniority rights. In his e-mail, Cueto said he had been advised he might have grounds to sue but decided not to.
“I do not want to bring any negative publicity to our branch of government, which is still held in high regard in the community,” he wrote in the e-mail to all judges in the county.
***
Hours after Cueto sent his e-mail, County Judge Robin Faber hit “reply all” to voice his support for Brown’s decision, which he said would “right a wrong, to give judges respect for their years of service, regardless of the distinction between circuit and county.” He noted Brown ran for chief judge this year, saying he would change the seniority rules, and merge circuit and county experience to calculate seniority.
***
Circuit Judge Reemberto Diaz fired off a terse response to Faber’s e-mail.
“Mr. Faber: In the past few weeks, I have received three (3) unsolicited e-mails from you. Let me respond in the order they were received:
1. NO. I don’t know an interior decorator to recommend to you;
2. NO. I don’t want to buy comedy tickets from you;
3. NO. I’m not interested in your misguided opinion about the chief judge’s decision. This is not Craig’s list nor a blog. Have a good day.”
In an interview this week, Diaz found fault high and low. “Quite honestly, I’m not interested in what some county judge has to say about the seniority,” he said.
***
Veteran Circuit Judge Robert Pineiro may have put an end to the e-mail debate last Friday with a tongue-in-cheek note reminding the Miami-Dade judiciary to mind their manners. “Alright, I think it is definitely time to resolve this discussion and bring it to a dignified conclusion — one which will make us proud,” he wrote. “I suggest pies (preferably apple) at 10 paces.”

This is too good to be true, isn't it? Here are the actual emails... there are lots of other nuggets, including judges questioning whether seniority is a right guaranteed by the Constitution.
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More fun stuff -- an order from Judge Pat Kinsey of Escambia County was making the rounds yesterday. Above the Law summarizes the lawsuit: "Albert Freed (pictured) won a trip to Hawaii (not pictured). As part of the vacation celebration, Mrs. Freed bought her husband some new Hanes brand briefs. But Mr. Freed is a husky gentleman, and apparently the new trunks couldn’t contain all of his junk. He sued Hanes, claiming they made 'defective' underwear."

Too much fun for a Friday afternoon.

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Today's DBR covers the net worth of state court judges and their spouses. No surprise that former AUSA John Schlesinger tops the list as his wife Marilyn Milian is the judge of "The People's Court." But does Billy Shields have a man-crush on Schlesinger (not that there's anything wrong with that)... From the intro to the article:

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge John Schlesinger looks like he could play a judge on TV. Good looking, with a full shock of iron-gray hair and a granite jaw, Schlesinger is telegenic. But it’s his wife, Marilyn Milian of “The People’s Court,” who’s the television judge, and that helps explain why Schlesinger reported a net worth of $7.18 million, including a $2.7 million Coral Gables home, $1.8 million in the bank and a $95,000 Aston Martin sports car.

So DBR peeps, is the federal judge list coming next?

Rumpole gets all the good stories

You have got to be kidding me:

Miami-Dade judge: I was battered by a colleague

You know what struck me about this story -- state court judges have to share fax machines!

Donnie Brasco

The Justice Building Blog is covering the John Connolly trial, which involves a former FBI agent in Boston (Connolly) who is accused of helping orchestrate a murder in Miami in 1982. The state tried to call the real Donnie Brasco to the stand yesterday, but he refused to testify (even in sunglasses and a hat) because he didn't want his picture taken (via Miami Herald). Is this an argument for or against cameras in the courtroom?

The state court budget crisis

I'm continually struck by the difference in the state and federal systems. Check out this article by the DBR about the state court budget crisis and how people are being fired left and right:

Florida trial court officials plan to handle future budget cuts with layoffs rather than furloughing employees for weeks without pay. The state Trial Court Budget Commission, which is made up of members of all 20 judicial circuits, met last week to formulate a plan to deal with a projected budget shortfall that already has state agencies scrimping. A hiring freeze and travel ban imposed earlier this year in a budget-saving move have been extended indefinitely, said State Courts Administrator Lisa Goodner. The commission splintered when considering whether to absorb fresh cuts with layoff or furloughs. “A lot of people saw furloughs as a way to make a statement and layoffs is taking it again,” said Palm Beach Chief Judge Kathleen Kroll, who attended the meeting. The commission has not determined how many people would have to be laid off or when, but state agencies are operating with a 4 percent budget holdback.

Who's got some tips for me on an interesting trial or hearing in federal court. Come on people.

Broward Blog controversy...

Broward judges have been taking some heat lately. Check out this article in which the Chief Judge of Broward Circuit Court, Dale Ross, blames the JAABLAW blog for the court's woes.

[Chief Judge] Ross on Friday repeatedly referred to the blog and its "undermining" effect."I am disturbed honestly and truly that there are folks that want us to fail," he said.Attorney Bill Gelin, who helped establish the Justice Advocacy Association of Broward blog, said the postings are geared toward "positive change and proactivity.""There's been a desperate need for some kind of communication medium like this," Gelin said. "Nepotism, cronyism and cynicism have set in here and we're talking about fixing the real problems."

Bill Gelin responds on the blog:

I just wanted to add to my previous statements about Judge Ross saying we are "undermining" the judiciary. I've been fielding calls and questions all day on this issue, and I've gone from bemusement to anger. The bottom line, in my mind, is that this type of judicial behavior is nothing new in Broward, and that these judges don't need my help, or this blog's help, in undermining the 17th Judiciary. They are doing a great job all by themselves.

Ouch. I think Judge Carney's letter to the Miami Herald is a much stronger argument than Ross' complaint about the blog. Here's Carney:

Re the May 3 editorial Intemperate judges tarnish judicial system: The Broward County bench is made up of 90 judges -- 58 circuit judges and 32 county judges. The editorial and recent articles unfairly lump the entire Broward bench under an umbrella based on the actions of a few judges.

This does a disservice to most of the judges who have dedicated their careers to public service. Most important, however, it does a disservice to the residents of Broward County by undermining confidence in their courts.

Judicial polls routinely show that the vast majority of Broward judges are viewed as qualified or extremely qualified to hold their positions. These ratings are independently made by the attorneys of Broward County who practice in front of them.

The problem, of course, is that in the last couple of months, we've had pot, crying, and NHI -- in high profile proceedings. Yikes...

Hat tip on the JAABLAW blog: Rumpole.

Dude!

I couldn't pass up this story (by Kathleen McGrory and Nikki Waller) and on a Broward judge who was arrested for smoking pot while sitting on a bench in Stanley Goldman Park, just west of I95 near Hollywood Boulevard. Only in South Florida...

Actually, maybe I should say, Only in America -- the Supreme Court heard argument today in the "Bong Hits for Jesus" case.