Judge Dale Ross Getting A Bad Rap
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Broward Circuit Judge Dale Ross is misunderstood.
The only circuit judge facing opposition in 2012, there is myth circulating that Ross did a bad job as chief judge.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Dale Ross
Let’s deconstruct the charges being leveled at Ross, mostly through a whisper campaign.
One of the most damaging is that Ross was admonished by the Court of Appeals for giving advise to a young prosecutor on how to obtain a stronger sentence. The court said he “crossed the line.”
Only one problem: The court was criticizing another judge. The admonition went to Ross because he took over the case. But another judge made the mistakes before the case passed to Ross.
Other Judges’ Conduct
Ross has also been panned for the conduct of his judges while he was chief judge. Bunk.
Yes, one judge was busted for smoking marijuana. Another cried on the bench during the Anna Nicole Smith probate case.
But Ross had no control over the other judges.
Judges are independent. They are elected and can do what they want in their court. Ross’ role is confined to assigning them what type of cases they hear, their courtrooms and parking spaces. Once assigned, they are on their own.
If Ross gets the blame for bad judges during his tenure, he should get the praise for the good judges.
His Achievements
What is often ignored by the critics of Ross is how he remade the court system.
He created Broward’s first drug court, offering abusers treatment instead of jail. He created the mental health and domestic violence courts, giving those serious problems the special attention they deserve.
No one seems to remember that when another judge refused to release a Haitian prisoner suffering from AIDS, it was Ross who stepped in as chief judge. He got the case transferred and released the dying man.
One more thing. Ross was never forced to step down. He quit because of a series of health problems and deaths in his family and staff. Plus he was facing a double hip replacement and weeks off the bench in recovery.
His Flaws
Is Ross perfect?
Far from it.
There are two sides to every election. Plenty of courthouse types intensely dislike Ross. For these folks, this election is payback time.
There is a lot to dislike, they say.
For instance, Ross was accused by the Miami Herald of handing out high-paid patronage jobs to the relatives of his favorite judges. He was accused in another story of protecting lazy, unproductive and even racist judges. Some defense attorneys say he repeatedly turned a blind eye to the rights of defendants.
“He is the single worst judge in Broward County,” said one well-known criminal defense attorney.
I’m not sure that is true. Broward has no shortage of bad judges.
One thing can’t be argued: Ross is the most experienced candidate in any of the judicial races. He was appointed in 1981.
Ross’s opponent is Mickey Rocque. From what I’m told, Rocque is nice guy, but kind of goofy and far from judicial material. Rocque did get the endorsement of the Miami Herald.
We should remember that no one knows more about the judiciary from the inside than the judges. They know who was best able to run the huge Broward court system.
And Broward judges depended on Ross’s leadership. They gave him a vote of confidence for 17 years in a row, repeatedly electing him chief judge until he voluntarily stepped down. At the time in 2007, he was the longest chief judge in Florida.
The voters seeking an experienced jurist should give Ross the same vote of confidence as the other judges
July 4th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Judge Ross doesn’t deserve to be back on the bench.
July 4th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Thanks Buddy. It is about time someone reported it like it is. Ross did a great job and the press only reports the negative to sell newspapers. His administration is sorely missed. The Herald did a disservice to itself and the community with irresponsible investigation into the facts and thus irresponsible journalism.
July 4th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Is he getting good,experienced and competent political advice?
July 4th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Lets take a moment to look at those who are against Judge Dale Ross… the Public Defender, criminal defense lawyers and the blog run by a criminal defense lawyer. Judge Dale Ross has been accused of being “pro State” which could be interpreted to mean being tough on crime. What the PD/Criminal lawyers never understand is that other than those who use their services, most people have little use for criminal defense lawyers and their criminal clients.
If the worst charge against Judge Ross is that he is tough on crime, amongst every day voters who are either victims or know victims of crime, is this a bad thing?
July 4th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Sam Fields is Judge Ross’ boy. Just remember that.
July 4th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Mr. Courthouse..first its not so …2nd that’s just foolish….what you want in a judge is to know what to expect…Ross does not abide fools…..he expects candor and readiness…don’t expect him to make law or apologize for a ruling..but dont expect a sob story to work
July 4th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
>> Sam Fields is Judge Ross’ boy. Just remember that.
Is that literally or figurative?
July 4th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
As a PD many years ago I thought the Judge was a little to harsh on Defendants . When I left the Office to go into civil practice I came before Judge Ross quite often. I appreciated his ability to cut to the chase, review all pre trial motions and run a very efficient Division.
July 5th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Dale Ross is experienced and efficient. Mickey Rocque is goofy, doesn’t try cases, and besides being put up by Gelin and Finkelstein, needs the money. His financials show he’s in serious debt. Ross will win.
July 5th, 2012 at 8:01 pm
FLORIDA U KNOW THIS COURT – IS INCOMPETENT INEPT & CORRUPT! – FUKTHISCOURT.COM
JUDGE DALE ROSS IS THE POSTER CHILD FOR JUDICIAL REFORM AND TERM LIMITS!
IT IS TIME FOR BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA TO “GET SMART” AND STOP ANY AND ALL AGENTS OF “KAOS”
IT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY BEEN REPORTED THAT JUDGE DALE ROSS DISCOURAGED OPPONENTS TO RUN AGAINST HIM AS JUDGE AND FOR CHIEF JUDGE
BUDDY YOU KNOW THIS TOO, BE HONEST
FUKTHISCOURT.COM
FROM BUDDY:
If you are an example of Micky Roscque’s supporters, he’s got problems.
July 7th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
hey buddy
ask your pal if there is truth to the fact that he was ever charged with a felony back in the days, got the break of his life, turned his life around, and became a born again good citizen who’s life mission is not to give anyone else a break. it’s like those who quit smoking, they now know better then all the other smokers. karam buddy
July 7th, 2012 at 8:55 pm
Ross rarely adjuciated people when he was a juvi judge. In adult/felony court he was a tough judge on defendants. When I was young I didnt like it. Today, raising a family here in Broward County, I have no problem with Judge Ross or any other Judge metting out appropriate senteces for criminals.