Posted on 12/14/2007 6:54:27 AM PST by Responsibility2nd
A defense attorney's law license is at risk because he posted an angry description on the Internet of embattled Broward Circuit Judge Cheryl Alemán, calling her an "evil, unfair witch."Last week, as Alemán was on trial for alleged misconduct before the Judicial Qualifications Commission, The Florida Bar signed off on its finding that Sean Conway may have violated five bar rules, including impugning the judge's qualifications or integrity.
In the Halloween 2006 posting on a blog, Conway denounced Alemán for what he said was an "ugly, condescending attitude" and questioned her mental stability after, he says, she unlawfully forced attorneys to choose between unreasonable trial dates or waiving their clients' rights to a speedy trial.
Conway, a former Broward assistant public defender now in private practice, said Wednesday he feels justified in his comments.
"She was giving people one week to prepare for trial and as soon as the blog exposed it through powerful words she stopped it," he said. "And that's why I stand by what I did. Sometimes the language the bar approves of doesn't get the job done."
Conway, 36, also filed a complaint against Alemán with the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the state agency that polices judicial conduct, citing her "deliberate refusal" to follow the law and insolent behavior. Conway says he hasn't heard from the commission since a May 29 letter acknowledging his complaint.
Alemán was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
In the meantime, the judge awaits the outcome of her three-day trial for allegedly threatening to hold defense attorneys in contempt and refusing to remove herself from cases in which she had an acrimonious relationship with the defense attorney.
If she's found guilty, she could face anything from a public reprimand to removal from the bench. Likewise, if Conway is found guilty of violating bar rules....
(Excerpt) Read more at sun-sentinel.com ...
Shocking!
Given the pitiable performance of the SCOFLA(w) in the election of 2000, it seems the fish has rotted from the heaad to the tail.
The ignorance here is that there was ever a need for a trial, judges are always abusing their power, whether it is hearing cases from a a golfing partner are someone they are sleeping with. They should have dismissed her.
If a judge is doing a crappy job, who knows sooner than the lawyers who argue in her court everyday.
Criticism, right or wrong is needed in all walks of life.
If you can’t handle it you should find another line of work.
Judge
Lawyer
Pot
Kettle
Hang them both.
The judge in question is one of the few conservative judges on the bench in Broward County. She has been targeted by the Ft Laud Sun Sentinel and various liberal groups for “extermination”. On the other hand, just because she’s conservative does not mean she is competent or has the requisite temperment befitting a judge.
Was what the lawyer said true?
And if said lawyer was just voicing a personal opinion, was what he wrote legally actionable?
Was the action against him initiated by the judge?
Isn’t the lawyer entitled to freedom of speech?
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