Daily News Summary
An electronic digest of media coverage of interest to members of The Florida Bar compiled each workday by the Public Information and Bar Services Department. Electronic links are only active in today's edition. For information on previous articles, please contact the publishing newspaper directly.
June 29, 2009
SANFORD JUDGE HONORED BY FLORIDA BAR-- Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com, June 27, 2009.
The Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar gave its Selig I. Goldin Memorial Award to Circuit Judge O.H. Eaton Jr., the Sanford judge who for decades has presided over criminal cases, taught other judges how to handle capital murder trials and helped rewrite Florida's rules of criminal procedure. Eaton has been a circuit judge for 22 years, a Florida lawyer for 41. He has served as chairman of the Florida Supreme Court's Criminal Court Steering Committee and as former chairman of the bar's Criminal Procedure Rules Committee.
--Judiciary--
CLOSING DOORS ON THE PUBLIC-- St. Petersburg Times, editorial, http://www.tampabay.com, June 28, 2009.
The editorial states: "It is particularly disappointing in Florida, where open government is embedded in the state Constitution, that the judges of Pinellas and Pasco counties will meet in secret this week to vet a pair of candidates for chief judge. The longtime tradition of closed meetings to pick chief judges belies the significance of the decision at hand. The 69 county and circuit judges are filling one of the top law enforcement offices, and it is not just a ceremonial position. Someone with such power should get a public vetting."
ATTORNEY DARREN STEELE OF STUART SWORN IN AS NEW JUDGE-- The Stuart News, http://www.tcpalm.com, June 27, 2009.
Attorney Darren Steele of Stuart has completed one of his many goals – becoming a judge. The 39-year-old Martin County resident was sworn into his seat for the 19th Judicial Circuit Friday afternoon [June 26]. Steele was appointed to the court by Gov. Charlie Christ on Wednesday [June 24] to fill the vacancy created by the death of Judge David Harper on March 17.
JUSTICES TO DECIDE FINAL THREE CASES TODAY-- St. Augustine Record, http://staugustine.com, June 28, 2009.
The article is from The Associated Press.The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this morning that a group of white firefighters in Connecticut were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision endorsed by high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. The case is one of the last three cases facing the justices before they adjourn for the summer. The court also will say goodbye to Justice David Souter who has announced he will retire "when the court rises for the summer recess." The other two unsettled cases involve campaign finance law and states' ability to investigate alleged discrimination in lending by national banks.
--Legal Profession--
MANATEE BAR HONORS GALVANO AND KALLINS-- The Bradenton Herald, http://www.bradenton.com, June 27, 2009.
The Manatee County Bar Association has recognized two members for their service to the community, state Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and Scott B. Kallins. Galvano serves in the Florida House of Representatives and is an attorney with the Bradenton firm of Grimes, Goebel, Grimes, Hawkins, Gladfelter and Galvano, P.A. He received the William C. Grimes Award for Lifetime Achievement in Community Service, honoring his many years of work in local service organizations. Kallins is an attorney and civic leader affiliated with Kallins, Little & Delgado, of Palmetto. Kallins received the Community Service Leader Award, recognizing ongoing community service.
"START YOUR OWN PRACTICE" SEMINAR-- Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com, June 29, 2009.
The Orange County Bar Association and The Solo and Small Firm Committee will present "Starting and Managing Your Own Law Practice" seminar from noon to 5 p.m. July 28 at the Orange County Bar Association, 880 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. Reservation deadline is July 26.
--Criminal Justice Issues--
MADOFF MUST FORFEIT $171 BILLION-- Sun-Sentinel, http://www.sun-sentinel.com, June 28, 2009.
The article is from The Associated Press. Bernard Madoff would be stripped of all his possessions under a $171 billion forfeiture order handed down only days before prosecutors seek to put the disgraced financier away in prison for the rest of his life. The agreements strip Madoff and his wife, Ruth, of all their interest in properties belonging to them, including homes in Palm Beach, Manhattan, and Montauk, N.Y. worth a total of nearly $22 million. The Madoffs must also forfeit all insured or salable personal property contained in the homes. U.S. District Judge Denny Chin entered the preliminary order Friday [June 26], ruling that Madoff must give up his interests in all real estate, investments, cars and boats. The forfeiture represents the total amount that could be connected to Madoff's fraud, not the amount stolen or lost, and the order made clear that nothing prevents other departments or entities from seeking to recover additional funds.
JUDGE'S ORDER MAY TOSS TESTS-- The Bradenton Herald, http://www.bradenton.com, June 27, 2009.
A Sarasota judge's order that a breath test machine used by local law enforcement is not in compliance with state law could lead to Manatee judges throwing out test results in dozens of DUI cases, according to criminal defense attorneys. Defense attorneys have challenged the use of the Intoxilyzer 8000, saying the machine was never approved for use in Florida. Manatee County Judge Doug Henderson said he was considering several motions to toss breath test results generated by Intoxilyzer 8000 machines and by an earlier model used in Manatee, the Intoxilyzer 5000. In an order issued June 19, Sarasota Judge David Denkin found there were discrepancies in the technical specifications for the machines used in the local DUI cases, as provided by the manufacturer.
INMATE'S CASE IS IN LEGAL LIMBO-- The Tampa Tribune, http://www.tbo.com, June 27, 2009.
Convicted killer Franklin Delano Floyd says there are plenty of inmates on Florida's Death Row trying to avoid execution by acting crazy, but he's not one of them. Floyd, 66, at a Tuesday [June 23] competency hearing in Pinellas County Circuit Court said he doesn't "claim to be mentally ill." He does claim, though, to be the illegitimate son of longtime FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and says he longs to see his "son" before he dies - a boy he kidnapped in 1994 and prosecutors suspect he killed. Floyd's case sheds light on a corner of the justice system that seems ill-prepared to handle delusional inmates such as Floyd who are declared legally incompetent after their convictions. Compounding the problem is Floyd's refusal to take the medication that might make him legally competent, thus able to understand legal proceedings and to assist in his defense.
[Revised: 06-30-2009]
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