The second ASA with concerns over Covid-19 exposure has come back negative.

Tensions are running high in the judicial set, at least amongst the ones up for election this year.

As in 2008 and 2010, when a record number of incumbents were challenged, judges are well aware that the deepening economic crisis, together with the current paradigm shift relating to the quick, emergency based ramp up in technological improvements to the traditionally hidebound court system, means already stressed attorneys may be looking for a solidly reliable paycheck and an amazing pension, not to mention health care benefits.

Additionally, as reflected in the comments section, some people feel advantages enjoyed by incumbents on the campaign trail will be severely limited due to virus related issues, with vote by mail becoming a defining factor, since face to face campaigning may become impossible, with money raising abilities hampered by the stagnant economy and the inability to hold fundraisers.

Lastly, there is real anger out there regarding the judicial appointment process, as many feel the system is impossibly politicized to the point highly qualified “D” lawyers won’t even bother to apply, emboldening others to exercise their constitutional rights and run for office.

Putting it simply, the “perfect storm” of 2010 may be upon us again, with unprecedented and unique pandemic factors further fanning the turmoil.

If you’re interested in locking in a salary of $160,688 for circuit and $151,822 for county, plus a potential pension for life of at least $30,000 annually after a single term, you might want to breathe life into judicial democracy in Broward County and consider a run in 2020.

Candidate pre-qualifying has been opened up early this year, starting April 6th due to the pandemic, so now’s the time to gather up your documents.

From the Division of Elections, also applying to the county SOE:

“Candidate qualifying is April 20-24 … with respective and additional 14-day pre-submission periods.”

Keep clicking here to for circuit, and here for county, to see who is running. Many will try to strategically wait until the last minute, but since there likely won’t be Tallahassee or SOE walk-ins, it will be easier to gauge this year than in the past. And remember, if the page is slow to load, keep trying. It’s only because nervous judicial fingers are also busily clicking to see if they’ve got a race or a walk in 2020 …

VIVA DEMOCRACY!

UPDATE – here is the 17th Circuit’s Temp 32 AO piggybacking on the Supreme Court changes …

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New AO from the Florida Supreme Court extending emergency conditions through May 29th …

Jeff Marcus sent an office wide SAO email this morning with great news: the female DVU ASA with concerns is negative for Covid-19.

No word yet on the other ASA.

The email ends this way:

We do not intend to change our policy. We will still not attend in court hearings in person.

Cancelled Friday Docket – to be handled Tuesday. If you had a previously scheduled Tuesday hearing, check to see if it’s still on …

Thanks to Anonymous at 2:07 PM today for the following alert. As reported previously, First Appearances and Emergency Dockets are being transformed to a Zoom platform to limit further exposure in the jails. The logistics for generating emailed meeting invites and other procedural issues are still being ironed out, and the whole scramble to keep courts up and running means any type of broadcast may be a casualty for the short term …

In the meantime, the Public Defender’s Office has sent this letter to Greg Tony and Mike Satz, hoping to stay ahead of the in-custody Covid-19 time bomb. The following specific suggestions and common sense recommendations have been made:

Lastly, the JQC, remotely or not, is still hard at work. Here are the formal charges and recommended discipline for Hamilton County’s Sonny Scaff, who admitted to not following statutes and rules governing First Appearances by holding telephonic, ex parte hearings, amongst other things, after having been “previously cautioned” by the JQC. In light of his acceptance of responsibility and the following implemented fixes, Scaff and the JQC are hoping the Supreme Court will go along with a public reprimand …

Michael Davis appointed today to circuit court to replace Raag Singhal, creating a vacancy in county court.

Congratulations!

Here is the docket for Monday’s emergency bond hearings and pleas, assuming it’s not cancelled. No word yet if today’s cancelled docket will be heard Monday …

Weekend Time Killer – In the Blink Of An Eye (Full Movie)

31:00 – “Good morning, Mr. Satz …”

CENTER ON WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS – Sonia Jacobs

NYT (2019) – Both Were Once on Death Row, Now They Share a Life Helping Others

Strike Four For Broward SAO

The SAO has just advised in another office wide email that a second ASA has been tested after exhibiting symptoms. The ASA has also agreed to release his name, so that information is available if you have concerns …

The SAO has sent an office wide email naming the ASA, with her permission. We won’t release that email, but the information is available if you have personal concerns …

Sent by Monica Hofheinz at 1:29 PM: