The Florida Supreme Court has ordered removal of Laura Watson from office.
The Opinion is found here.
From the Opinion:
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND IF FILED, DETERMINED.
A BSO source told us Watson was in the courthouse today, but left shortly after the Opinion was released …
BBC: Movie starring Bill Paxton as Jack Thompson in jeopardy
Goodbye …
Judicial Assistant Marty Johnson is calling it quits, after thirty years of hanging around the courthouse. The last seven years Marty’s kept things running smoothly for Lisa Porter, and before that spent twelve more doing the same for Barry Goldstein, following eleven years with June Johnson.
Marty will be missed by all. The phone is nearly always answered in Porter’s division, and if it isn’t, you can expect a return call the same day. Hearings from mundane to emergency are set quickly and easily, without the form over substance obstacles and attitude which unfortunately burden some other courtrooms. Marty benefits from not having to deal with a micro-managing boss, of course, but it’s probably fair to say Lisa can plow ahead in the efficient manner we’re all used to because her teammate’s always one step ahead of the ball as well.
Plan on stopping by Courtroom 4780 on Tuesday, June 30th, from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Refreshments will be on hand, and in addition to saying goodbye to Marty, you can meet Neilson Brown, Division FA’s new judicial assistant. A veteran of the Clerk’s Office and the U.S. Navy, Neilson is also currently earning a law degree at Nova University, all of which means we can expect a very smooth transition indeed.
… Hello!
Public Defender Response To Order To Show Cause (Contini)
Bench Trial Wednesday – Brannon v. Finkelstein kicks off in Miami June 17th, and we’re told it’s a bench trial, after Team Brannon’s request for a jury was denied …
SS: Broward could follow Miami in pot decriminalization option
Rhea Grossman, the first woman to sit on the Florida Supreme Court
Carlos Rebollo, John Contini, John Murphy, Tom Lynch, and Al Milian, at Advanced Judicial College in Orlando, earlier this week.
A freshly sworn Nina Di Pietro. That’s Charlie Greene’s hand, having some good-natured fun with the local paparazzi.
Adam Sandler’s father-in-law Joe Titone, who has a colorful history all his own …
Before Mike Satz and Al Schreiber, there was Phil Shailer. Public Defender from 1968-69, and State Attorney from 1969 until 1976, Phil decided not to run again after the Bicentennial, and returned to private practice. The gentleman from Yale and Duke Law counted Satz, Schreiber, Bob Butterworth, Ken Jenne, Glenn Roderman, David Bogenschutz, Warner Olds, Ralph Ray, Chris Roberts, Jimmy Cohn, and many others amongst his employees. If only he’d stayed …
Wayne Carini, from Chasing Classic Cars, at this year’s Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance.
U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch with Ari Porth.
Peter Weinstein delights admirers with his spot-on impression of Marlon Brando in The Godfather …
Perry Thurston, Howard Forman, and Lori Parrish.
More surprises heading your way in 2016?
Coming Soon – Brannon v. Finkelstein heads to court …
June 10, 2015 Fourth DCA Order To Show Cause on Contini cases
Herald: Miami Police initiative to decriminalize pot clears hurdle
We’ve just confirmed a lawyer with both civil and criminal experience, currently working as a prosecutor, will be running in 2016 for county court Group 14, the seat currently occupied by Mary Robinson.
We’re also told Barbara McCarthy and Mike Satz may have opponents, but no confirmations just yet …
Three incumbent judges will shortly be facing a challenge in 2016.
As previously announced, Dale Miller has filed to run against Nina Di Pietro, who was sworn in by Peter Weinstein this morning. As far as anyone can remember, Di Pietro is the first sitting judge in Broward to receive an opponent before taking the bench.
Michael Dye has filed to run against Hope Tieman Bristol. His paperwork posted this afternoon over at the Division of Elections.
Lastly, Sam Lopez confirmed earlier today he will be running against Mike Gates. Rumors of Gates’ retirement are apparently not true, so let’s see if Lopez stays put.
In open seat news, Adriana Alcalde has filed to run against Betsy Benson in the county court seat being vacated by Linda Pratt …