SAO MOVEMENT

Welcome back, Julio!

Former county court judge Julio Gonzalez is returning to the central courthouse, courtesy of the SAO.

It’s not the biggest news in the world, except for rumors swirling around the circumstances of the move, and his new assignment.

Currently employed by BSO as the Director of the Department of Professional Standards, a position entailing oversight of the disciplinary process of deputies post-Internal Affairs investigations, Julio will be taking over the SAO’s Public Corruption Unit (PCU), replacing outgoing ASAIC Chris Killoran.

Killoran will remain a division chief, helming a new Organized Crime Unit. That’s great for Chris, but it hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from kicking into high gear, given the recent controversies engulfing the YNW Melly trial(s), and PCU’s Michelle Boutros’ damaging testimony regarding Detective Mark Moretti.

Is the Killoran move in any way, shape or form connected to the Melly debacle? And can the tea leaves be read in other ways, namely enticing Julio to leave a great job at BSO because of the possibility of Harold Pryor seeking higher office (or more lucrative opportunities) after a second term at the SAO? Could Gonzalez, who has sought a circuit judgeship on numerous occasions since leaving the county bench, be in line as a possible replacement for Pryor?

We floated both theories to Julio earlier today. Ever the gentleman, he declined comment, simply stating he was excited to be coming back to the courthouse.

WAIT AND SEE …

900 (AND COUNTING)

From a BSO email to Jack Tuter, dated November 17, 2023:

Attached is a spreadsheet listing the statutes that are affected by the changes to Fla. Stat. §903.011, that will go into effect on January 1, 2023. There are almost 900 offenses affected so far. Note that this list only pertains to those offenses that previously had a monetary bond, but will now require a first appearance. The list does not include the additional changes (increases) to the bond amounts for 3F, 1M, and 2M offenses that are anticipated to be adopted by Supreme Court in the coming weeks.

SPREADSHEET STATEWIDE BOND SCHEDULE CHANGES

CIRCUIT COURT VACANCY

Onward & Upward …

Mariya Weekes is vacating her circuit court judgeship to join the nationally prominent Milberg litigation law firm (formerly Milberg Weiss).

Weekes joins a small group of Broward judges who have advanced their careers over the last twenty years beyond the circuit court level, including Tarlika Nunez-Navarro, Raag Singhal, Dorian Damoorgian, Melanie May, Jimmy Cohn, and, of course, Ed Merrigan.

We’ll be sure to post when the JNC opens her spot for applications, presumably right after the new year …

WELL DONE!

COMING SOONThe Wisdom Of Farmer …

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Remember when you were young? … (Photo courtesy of Raag Singhal)

COURTHOUSE CLOSED!

UPDATE – EMAIL FROM JACK TUTER TO “ALL USERS” SUBJECT “ALL COURTHOUSES CLOSED TOMORROW THURSDAY NOV 16” @ 10:54 PM:

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TEXT FROM JACK TUTER @ 10:52 PM:

Closed

And from the SAO:

SCHOOLS CLOSED/COURTHOUSE DEATH

UPDATE 10:29 PM – We’ve texted Jack Tuter to see if the courthouse will be closed, and will update if there’s a response …

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Schools will be closed tomorrow, but no word yet on whether or not the courthouse will close …

Also, at shortly before 9:00 PM this evening, a call went out concerning a deceased person on the 13th floor of the courthouse. It is not believed to be foul play, and is someone not a member of the judiciary …

TAMPA FREE PRESS – FACDL Objects To JQC Agreement For Florida Judge Hosford

FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS’
MOTION FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR AS AMICUS

HOSFORD JQC VIDEO