In The Media

Judicial Ethics Findings Reversed

SuperUser Account posted on 10/7/2004 6:58:00 AM

A couple months back when Tampa Lawyer Beth Reineke was running to unseat Hillsborough Circuit Judge Charles "Ed" Bergmann, the Hillsborough County Judicial Campaign Practices Committee found both had committed ethical violations on the campaign trail. Their alleged offenses? Bergmann had made the unverifiable claim that a majority of family law attorneys supported his candidacy, while Reineke said Bergmann was "just doing time" on the bench.

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Ethics, Politics, Judicial Branch, Hillsborough County | View Count: (2261)

Judge Judged

posted on 8/28/2004 7:59:00 AM

The Hillsborough County Judicial Campaign Practices Committee has found Circuit Judge Charles "Ed" Bergmann committed an ethical violation for statements he allegedly made about the depth of his support among family-law attorneys. Beth Reineke, a lawyer who is running for Bergmann's seat, complained that Judge Bergmann claimed a majority of family-law attorneys supported his candidacy.

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Ethics, Politics, Judicial Branch, Hillsborough County | View Count: (3018)

Watchdog Group Accuses Judge Of Violating Ethics During Forum

SuperUser Account posted on 8/28/2004 7:45:00 AM

A watchdog group claims a judge violated ethics rules when he talked about how many family law attorneys support him in the upcoming election. The Hillsborough County Judicial Campaign Practices Committee issued its opinion against Hillsborough Circuit Judge Charles Bergmann on Friday. The committee has no sanctioning power, but Chairman Tom Scarritt said it will pass its findings to the Florida Judicial Qualifications committee, which can bring charges with powerful sanctions. Ultimately, the ...

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Judicial Branch, Ethics, Politics, Hillsborough County | View Count: (2395)

Appointment by House Speaker to Florida Commission on Ethics

posted on 8/4/2004 1:45:00 AM

It is my pleasure to appoint you to serve as a member of the Florida Commission on Ethics. By copy of this letter I am notifying the Ms. Bonnie Williams,Executive Director, and the Governor's Office. You should be hearing from Ms. Williams with further instructions. Should you have any questions regarding your appointment, please contact Edward Howlette or Missy Jones in the Office of the Speaker 850 488-7171. Congratulations on your appointment, and thank you for your willingness to serve.

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Politics, Ethics, Judicial Branch, Certifications | View Count: (2031)

Judicial Races, Already Pretty Clean, Get Another Shot Of Antiseptic

SuperUser Account posted on 6/3/2004 8:12:00 AM

Compared to other political races, judicial elections are a crushing snooze. The candidates, having law degrees, are circumspect by nature, and a rigid code of conduct usually prevents even the wildest ones from saying much. Still, no election is without at least a whiff of controversy or display of dubious judgement. Enter the Hillsborough County Judicial Campaign Practices Committeeformed in April by the county bar in association with with the spur of Circuit Judge Kevin Carey.

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Judicial Policy, Politics, Ethics, Judicial Branch | View Count: (5285)

Winning The War

SuperUser Account posted on 4/2/2004 7:43:00 AM

Tom Scarritt understands the consequence. His decision to accept a voluntary job as chairman of a newly formed watchdog group means he can no longer publicly support his favorite judicial candidates. That’s a sacrifice for this politically active Tampa lawyer who managed Hillsborough Circuit Judge Kevin Carey’s election campaign nearly two years ago and who has financially backed the bids of several other judicial candidates.

Categories: Past Law Cases | Tags: Ethics, Judicial Policy, Politics, Judicial Branch, Hillsborough County | View Count: (3088)

FSU College of Law Mock Trial Team Presents Awards At Annual Banquet

SuperUser Account posted on 4/16/2003 9:00:00 AM

The Mock Trial Team held its annual banquet April 4 at the Governor's Club in Tallahassee. Tampa trial attorney and FSU College of Law alumnus, Tom Scarritt, was the guest speaker. Scarritt discussed his law school experiences and the importance of alumni involvement for networking. "We have great alumni out there in the law field—don't be afraid to contact them and use them as you look toward finishing law school," he said. Scarritt then continued by entertaining guests with his best Professor...

Categories: Articles | Tags: Awards, Community | View Count: (2863)

Jury Committee Calls for 48 Reforms

posted on 2/15/2002 9:51:00 AM

After hearing strong opposition from the Florida Trial Bar, the Florida Supreme Court began deliberating whether to adopt sweeping jury reforms as proposed last week by a statewide Jury Innovations Committee.

Categories: Articles | Tags: Judicial Policy, Legislation, Jury | View Count: (2466)

Juror Power?

posted on 2/5/2002 10:10:00 AM

Aiming to make trials more jury friendly, committee suggests overhauling the way the state’s courts conduct business

Categories: Articles | Tags: Legislation, Judicial Policy, Jury | View Count: (3193)

Couple Sues Ashland Chemical for Pollution of Their Land

posted on 2/1/2002 9:15:00 AM

The Hannas bought a 7-acre tract near Tampa International Airport about 30 years ago as an investment. When they decided to sell it to finance their retirement, they discovered that pollution had leeched from a neighboring property, owned by Ashland Chemical, a Columbus Ohio chemical-mixing and distributing company, making their land difficult to sell. In August 1996, the company negotiated an option to buy the Hanna property for $1.1 million. They extended that option a month later. Then, wh...

Categories: Articles | Tags: Lawsuit, Real Estate, Tampa | View Count: (2776)