From the Sun-Sentinel: The business of justice in courthouses across Florida could be dramatically altered in coming weeks, with Broward Chief Judge Victor Tobin warning of a “catastrophic” impact. Under a proposal that would meet a demand from the Legislature to cut nearly $17 million from the state courts budget by June 30, courthouse administration employees would have to take 22 unpaid days off in circuit courts and 58 days in county courts. Not only would employees’ livelihoods be affected as they go without paychecks, but business at courthouses would be unequivocally compromised, judges and court administrators say. Employees forced into furloughs would include judicial assistants, court interpreters and case managers. Just as other agencies have faced cutbacks because of anticipated tax-revenue shortfalls, the state courts system also was ordered to find a way to function with less money. However, judges and court administrators, who were told last year to hold back 4 percent of their budget, found the task impossible because nearly 90 percent of the state court system’s $483 million budget goes to wages, said Kathleen Kroll, chief judge for Palm Beach County.

Sun-Sentinel, http://www.sun-sentinel.com, Feb. 8, 2008.Florida’s rules designed to prevent racial discrimination in jury selection will stand after a sharply divided state Supreme Court refused Thursday [Feb. 7] to change them. The 4-3 decision let stand a 1996 Supreme Court decision on peremptory challenges of prospective jurors. Those challenges typically are when prosecutors and defense attorneys are allowed to dismiss possible jurors without explanation. Courts, though, have allowed lawyers to challenge peremptory strikes to prevent an opposing attorney from using them to exclude jurors solely because of race. Justices Barbara Pariente, Harry Lee Anstead, Peggy Quince and Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis concurred. Justices Raoul Cantero, Charles Wells and Kenneth Bell dissented.

Sun-Sentinel, http://www.sun-sentinel.com, Feb. 6, 2008.Got a court date at the Palm Beach County Courthouse? Leave home early, and maybe even pack some light reading to pass the time. Lines to get inside the courthouse on some mornings are the longest they have ever been, snaking under the arches and extending to the sidewalk as people wait to get screened by security. The long lines began in October after Palm Beach County closed the south entrance to the courthouse, which will save an estimated $200,000 annually on private security costs. Lawyers, witnesses, litigants, employees and potential jurors have waited as long as 30 minutes to reach the security checkpoint. By that time, they might be late for a court appearance or for their jury summons time.

Sworn statements of judges show a bizarre conflict playing out behind the scenes.

TALLAHASSEE — Rarely do outsiders get an inside peek at how judges work together. But last week, judges on the state’s biggest and most powerful appeal court testified about one another. It was not a pretty sight.

They described a court where judges of the 1st District Court of Appeal have accused each other of lying, having affairs with court employees, threats and playing games of “chicken.” Former Chief Judge Charles J. Kahn Jr. was described as “volatile,” “duplicitous” and “schizoid.” They called him a liar, given to temper tantrums.

The marshal who has provided court security for more than 25 years testified that he arranged to have extra law enforcement officers attend a ceremonial event after they heard that Kahn was getting a concealed weapons permit and a handgun.

The marshal said two other judges decided to get guns at the same time. Kahn says he never did get a gun permit but did learn how to shoot at a pistol range in Sopchoppy.

As acrimony between the judges spiraled out of control, the marshal put a lock on the judge’s robing room to keep Kahn from getting in during the ceremony.

And Kahn is not even the one on trial.
By LUCY MORGAN, Times Senior Correspondent
Published February 3, 2008

Jury awards $1.8 million to widow in 2001 crash
She said improper chase by police caused fatal accident

February 2, 2008

FORT LAUDERDALE – A jury on Friday awarded about $1.8 million to a widow who sued the city, claiming negligence in the death of her husband in a 2001 crash.

David Isham, 32, of Port St. Lucie, was killed on Nov. 15, 2001, in a crash at Northwest 13th Street and Third Avenue involving an auto theft suspect who was fleeing from police. Isham was driving a Ford F-350 through the intersection when police said Lauderhill resident Jimmie Jean Charles, 19 at the time, drove a stolen BMW through the intersection without stopping at a stop sign and struck the driver’s side of the pickup.

The Broward Circuit Court jury placed half the blame in the death on the city and the other on Charles, making each responsible for paying half of the reward, said attorney Clay Mitchell, who with attorney Keith Mitnik represented widow Angela Isham, of Port St. Lucie.

The Garvin Law Firm is proud to announce the opening of our new office in The Legal Center. The Legal Center is walking distance to the Broward County Court House, and provides ample parking for our Clients. Please feel free to stop by and visit the new office.