Vacant Judgeships = Long Wait for Florida Scales of Justice
Posted October 29, 2013 07:25 pm
MIAMI, FL - Florida justice is not swift these days, in part because of empty judicial benches in federal courtrooms in the state. Right now four are vacant - one has been for more than 600 days - with three more vacancies on Florida's federal courts expected by next year.
According to Mark Ferrulo, the executive director of
Progress Florida, the problem is a heavy burden for
those waiting for their turn in court.
"To have this many vacancies, the court system just
doesn't work the way it's supposed to," he declared.
"Every Floridian has a guarantee to their day in court.
When our judicial system doesn't have enough judges and
resources, that right is threatened."
President Obama has nominated Judge William Thomas to
the Southern District of Florida, but he must be
approved by both of Florida's U.S. Senators before the
Senate can confirm the nomination. Currently Senator
Marco Rubio will not give approval, saying he "takes his
Constitutional responsibility to review lifetime
judicial appointments" very seriously and cites concerns
about Judge Thomas' record in state court.
Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida, said she shares
Ferrulo's concerns about the empty Federal bench seats
in Florida and pointed out that it was Rubio who
suggested Judge Thomas to the President initially. They
both believe the senator changed his position about the
moderate judge - who is African-American and openly gay
- after pressure from his Tea Party supporters.
"This is an unprecedented time where the courts matter a
great deal in shaping the breadth and depth of the
quality issues in our country, and we can't have judges
missing in action because politicians are playing
games," Smith said.
Mark Ferrulo pointed out that federal courts in Florida
often take up issues regarding immigration and voting
rights, which are hot topics in the legal system now.
"The biggest thing Floridians can do is to contact by
phone, by email, Senator Rubio's office and let him know
to stop obstructing the president's judicial nominees."
Nationwide, one out of every ten federal judgeships is
vacant. As of September, President Obama has nominated
271 judges for federal courts, and 76 percent have been
approved by the Senate, which is the lowest confirmation
rate when compared to his five Presidential
predecessors.
Photos/graphics and links added by the Observer