Cast your vote at MLB.comBALLOT ...Anything for family - for years we've been begging Mike Dutko for permission to out his famous son-in-law, Nick Markakis of the Baltimore Orioles. It's a nice little human interest story, but the very private Mike wouldn't green light the pitch until now. The reason? Nick is leading the pack for an All-Star Game outfield berth, but he needs a few more votes to clinch it. Nick has posted impressive numbers this year, but any extra push will be greatly appreciated by the Dutko family, so click on over via the link above. You can vote up to thirty-five times, just like if you were a Kennedy supporting Chicagoan back in 1960 ...
Congrats Michael! - the other Michael Dutko, that is. Jr. is heading over to Conrad Scherer, after wrapping things up as an ASA in Palm Beach. Well done!
Who is Red Roberts? -Mike Brannon, that's who. The New Times has the scoop on Red's cool career as a professional wrestler, as part of this article detailing the losing legal battle his alter ego Brannon initiated against Howard Finkelstein. Get in the Ring, MotherF*cker!
Parity! - it turns out a lawyer can file a JQC complaint against a judge, and remain anonymous, even after the case goes public. It's all about protecting the lawyer (or anyone else who complains) from retaliation by a robed rogue. Here's the case that deals with the issue. Anyway, we feel better, although it hardly seems sensible that the Bar would need to protect judges from lowly lawyers by keeping judicial bar complaints secret, even if judges have to face the electorate every few years ...
Go, Gisele, Go! - there's at least one Broward judge who is fighting back against selective enforcement of the drug laws, detailed in this New York Times Editorial. Gisele Pollack is working to get each and every cannabis case automatically diverted to her misdemeanor Drug Court division upon filing by the Clerk, no matter how bad a Defendant's prior record may be. Those who qualify by statute and choose to stick with the program can get the charges dropped, while felons can earn a withhold if they follow through, keeping their driver's licenses and jobs in the process. Howard Finkelstein has already signed off, but the SAO still hasn't agreed, hardly a surprise since Satzalso remains the stumbling block in getting a DUI Diversion program in place in Broward like the ones in Palm Beach and Miami.
Here's what Pollack had to say when asked why she's pushing for widespread cannabis diversion:
"I don't want the disproportionate arrest factor being perpetuated in the criminal justice system any longer. It bugs me. It really does. I want to eliminate it by giving every individual a fair opportunity to participate in a misdemeanor Drug Court program."
Not much to add to that, except all judges need to listen up when Gisele's talking ...
The pig says what?