Criminal Law

JAABCAM

Posted on September 08, 2010
1.) The Right Honorable Michael Robinson made his debut Tuesday, to rave reviews; 2.) APD Brian Greenwald is on a Mission From God; 3.) Miami's Ben Kuehne and Circuit Court candidate Richard Hersch give a warm welcome to a stranger from a strange land; 4...

TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT

Posted on September 07, 2010
Howard Finkelstein quits the Selection-Oversight Committee for the Office of Inspector General (The "Ethics Tzar"). From his resignation letter to Ken Keechl: "... My first reason for declining this position is my strong belief that the position should be above reproach and beyond the reach, control or regulation of any elected official...

LEVENSON FORECAST: IRRITABLE (AFTER THIS POST)

Posted on September 06, 2010
 Switched at Birth: Levenson & Daniels? ? ? ? ? ... The judge and jury walked out hand in hand ... ? ? ? ? - for a smart guy, Jeff Levenson sure does some funny things.  It's almost like he can't help himself.  From the mood swings, the hurtful insults, the ex parte confabs, and the incessant badgering of staff and lawyers from both sides of the aisle, his courtroom remains the only criminal division left that lots of lawyers simply don't like to go to...

GUILTY!

Posted on September 03, 2010
 Gregg Rossman & Lindsay Entriken after the verdict The jury reached a verdict of guilt on charges of first degree murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery in the trial of Kino Bartholomew.  Deliberations started at roughly 1:45 PM, with the double buzzer sounding at 4:50 PM...

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McHUGH IN 2012

Posted on September 01, 2010
 Her Honor? Attorney Katie McHugh is running for county court judge in 2012.  She's got her eye on two occupied seats, although she may opt for an open race depending on how things shake out over the coming months.  She joins Jonathon Marne, Bob Nichols, and Steve Schaet in the rapidly growing pool of announced 2012 contenders...

MEET JUDGE LOPANE

Posted on September 01, 2010
 Nick Lopane and perennial finalist/good guy Raag Singhal GM Nick Lopane has been appointed to replace John Frusciante on the circuit court. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FINALISTS Also: Robert A. Butterworth, 68, of Hollywood, attorney with Atkinson, Diner, Stone, Mankuta & Ploucha P...

JAABCAM

Posted on August 30, 2010
1.) "I'm running."  Peter Weinstein, pictured with his long term deputy Tony Sutera this afternoon.  The gregarious Weinstein confirmed he's seeking the Chief Judgeship, but wouldn't elaborate.  The word on the street is he's already got the votes; 2...

HOUSEKEEPING

Posted on August 30, 2010
Broward Judge Hurley Gets Standing Ovation From Inmates Ginger Lerner Wren: "Failure to educate" "The cradle-to-prison pipeline that exists has been well-documented and discussed by our nation's leading experts in government, education and the law ...

THE 2012 JUDICIAL ELECTION SEASON BEGINS

Posted on August 26, 2010
 Judge Marne? Attorney Jonathon Marne is announcing his candidacy for judge in 2012.  For now he's keeping the seat he's seeking a secret, although many who know him may have an idea. Marne is undeterred by the Incumbent Steamroller, taking Tuesday's lessons to heart...

JAABCAM

Posted on August 25, 2010
1.) Free at last!  APD Don Cannarozzi reacts to news of Lee Seidman's loss; 2.) Dragonslayer nonpareil.  Judge Sandra Perlman and former ASA Brian Silber this morning.  Perlman has vanquished both Cheryl Aleman and Seidman.  Is there a Satz in her future?; 3...

WEDNESDAY NOTES

Posted on August 25, 2010
Dance, puppets, dance - here's the list of judges up in 2012.  Remember, it's not whether you win or lose, it's about protecting the public from arrogant, insecure bullies who forget they work for the voters.  Sure, some bad judges were swept in this time along with the deserving moderate Crist appointees who are Broward's future, but there isn't a judge on the bench who wants to sing for his or her supper, lose sleep, spend money, and possibly forfeit a disgustingly fat retirement benefit...

MEET JUDGE PERLMAN

Posted on August 24, 2010
Sandra Perlman strikes again.  First Cheryl Aleman, and now Lee Seidman.  Sorry Lee Jay, but we told you so back in April.  Now you'll have to settle for locking up your dog when he's late for kibble, instead of defendants who are ten minutes late for court...

MEET JUDGE MICHAEL ROBINSON

Posted on August 23, 2010
 Abracadabra! General Master to Circuit Judge ... Mike Robinson has been appointed to fill Gardiner's circuit seat. GOVERNOR CRIST APPOINTS MICHAEL A. ROBINSON TO 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ROBINSON FAMILY!

TONIGHT AT 7:00 PM

Posted on August 21, 2010
 So lonely ... Howard Finkelstein will be speaking this evening at 7:00 PM at the Koinonia Worship Center, 4900 West Hallandale Beach Blvd., in Pembroke Park.  The politically influential congregation has a close working relationship with the Public Defender's Office, having sponsored civil rights Redemption Workshops and other outreach programs in the past...

KULIK SPEAKS ...

Posted on August 20, 2010
A sunshine law violation would have required an agreement or decision between the two commissioners in a private, unnoticed to the public, meeting. It would have to be such an agreement on an issue which would have been raised before the board at a later date...

EVERYTHING'S COMING UP O'CONNOR ...

Posted on August 19, 2010
Pulp: Businessman Says Political Contributor Bought Judge O'Connor's Allegiance " ... Anyway you look at this situation, it stinks. O'Connor -- who has been dogged by past discrimination complaints filed against her while she worked as a federal prosecutor before being appointed by Jeb Bush in 2003 -- can say (Attorney Mimi) Sall's money and support had no influence on her decisions in the case, but the appearance is there...

THURSDAY NOTES

Posted on August 19, 2010
House foreclosure diffused - portions of the fifth and sixth floors of the old courthouse were temporarily closed Thursday morning, due to a bomb threat.  The fifth floor was reportedly specified, leading observers to wonder if a soon to be homeless homeowner was making a last ditch effort to stay put ...

SATZ DOES IT AGAIN

Posted on August 18, 2010
Fred Berman disposed of the public corruption cases against two Coral Springs commissioners a few minutes ago via Directed Verdict.  That's right, the cases were so weak a judge didn't even let them get to a jury. Attorney Kevin Kulik has been keeping us abreast of this one...

WEDNESDAY NOTES

Posted on August 18, 2010
 ? ? ? ? Guv in an elevator ? ? ? ? DENIED! - the Governor's people firmly rejected our request to sit in on the judicial appointment interviews today, in professional and polite fashion.  These guys are no amateurs.  There weren't any compelling legal arguments to make either, besides the feeble "hey, the JNC interviews are open, so why not the Governor's too?"...

NEVINS WEIGHS IN ...

Posted on August 17, 2010
BBeat: Skolnik and O?Connor "Circuit Judge Eileen O?Connor is getting a pass ... On her March 6, 2003 application to be appointed judge, O?Connor was asked if she had ever been accused of misconduct or the subject of a complaint  ?with any regulatory or investigatory agency, or with your employer?? O?Connor answered: ?No...

TUESDAY NOTES

Posted on August 17, 2010
Meet The Governor - Charlie Crist is in town Wednesday, interviewing six finalists for two open circuit seats in his Fort Lauderdale office.  We're told they are not Sunshine Meetings, but we'll let you know what happens ... What did she say? - "One minute you?re an advocate, then the next minute you?re not anymore...

FRIDAY BONUS

Posted on August 13, 2010
Cohen v. Melnick - an unofficial transcript of the recorded calls of inmate Stephen Gibbs has come our way.  Here are the portions Team Cohen reportedly are relying on: Recording  #8:  call with girlfriend: Florence:   so what about, today.  Your mom is going down to?...

THURSDAY NOTES

Posted on August 12, 2010
PSCC Reunion - the PSCC met for the first time since February Thursday, with a fully recouped Henry Mack at the helm.  It was also the first meeting held over at BSO's Public Safety Building since Vic Tobin sounded the death knell for easily accessed Sunshine Meetings in the courthouse...

COHEN V. MELNICK HEATS UP

Posted on August 11, 2010
From Dale Cohen's RESPONSE TO MOTION TO QUASH SUBPOENA AND MOTION FOR ATTORNEY?S FEES: "... Judge Cohen had figured out that (Defendant) Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Melnick were engaged in illegal and improper forum shopping. Mr. Melnick did not know it but, his client at the time, Mr...

WEDNESDAY NOTES

Posted on August 11, 2010
JAABWALK - Wednesday's constitutional started at 9:35 AM, ending at 9:53 AM.  Only the old courthouse was checked, scheduled for demolition.  One campaigning judge was on the bench, and at least three were MIA.  36 courtrooms were checked, yielding 20 EMPTY, and 16 IN USE...

JAABCAM

Posted on August 10, 2010
1.) Community Organizer Sallie Tillman-Watson, outside early voting at the African-American Library Tuesday; 2.) ASA Joe Zager and Deputy Julie Bower (PWBC); 3.) Bob and Stanton K; 4.) That's Mickey Rocque with hair and Bob Fogan, clearing the way in the early nineties for the very same Drug Courts that Satz now takes credit for; 5...

OH LILAS!

Posted on August 04, 2010
The Sun Sentinel's Tonya Alanez has come up with a real gem.  It turns out yet another Broward prosecutor is caught in a potential ethical quagmire, investigated for striking a bicyclist at 12:20 AM Friday morning and not sticking around to iron out the details (gee, why would she leave?)...

WHO WANTS TO BE THE STATE ATTORNEY?**

Posted on August 04, 2010
(The following article was written by Buddy Nevins and posted on his website BrowardBeat.com  this afternoon.  It has been reproduced in full below, with Buddy's permission.) Survey Shows That Mike Satz Is Vunerable BY BUDDY NEVINS The survey was done only in Sunrise, but it still should vitally interest State Attorney Mike Satz...

WEDNESDAY NOTES

Posted on August 04, 2010
LitDrop - want to lend a hand in the coming weeks?  Send an email to litdrop@yahoo.com.  Confidentiality guaranteed. Violent Image Warning - here's the video of Jamaican police beating and shooting a suspect in front of witnesses last week.  The shooting takes place at 1:43 of the tape (Thanks to Reggaelawyer)...

O'CONNOR/SOKOLOFF UPDATE

Posted on August 02, 2010
We've been hearing all kinds of rumblings regarding the vandalized Rhoda Sokoloff signs.  For instance, there may be a suspect, who may in fact be a Judge Eileen O'Connor supporter. We couldn't contact O'Connor's campaign treasurer Ramon Rodriguez with questions, since his listed address on the Florida Division of Elections website  is no longer valid, and because the EverBank representative we spoke to didn't have a forwarding number (Bank of Florida's successor)...

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