Scott J. Silverman

Scott J. Silverman is an American lawyer and judge on Florida's 11th Judicial Circuit.[1]

Scott J. Silverman
Circuit Court Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Assumed office
1999
Preceded byStanley M. Goldstein
Dade County Court Judge
In office
1991–1999
Preceded byMay L. Cain
Succeeded byCristina Pereyra-Shuminer
Personal details
BornJune 25, 1957
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of Tulsa College of Law

Background

Scott J. Silverman was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, on June 25, 1957. At the age of 13, he moved with his family to Miami Beach. Growing up in Bay Harbor Islands, he attended Nautilus Junior High School and Miami Beach Senior High. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami in 1978 with a BBA in finance. A recipient of the Flammang Academic Scholarship, while attending college Silverman was recognized on the President's Honor Role three times and on the Dean's list every semester. His academic honors include membership in Phi Kappa Phi (Honor Society in all fields), Beta Gamma Sigma (Business Honor Society), Omicron Delta Epsilon (International Economic Honor Society), and Alpha Lambda Delta (Freshman Honor Society).

Silverman subsequently received his JD from University of Tulsa College of Law in 1981. During his last year in law school, he worked in Getty Refining and Marketing Company's in-house legal department. Prior to becoming a judge, Silverman served as an Assistant Attorney General for the Oklahoma Attorney General in the civil rights division before returning to Miami to clerk for Judge Frederika Smith. In 1985, he opened his own legal practice.[2]

Silverman is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association (1981) and the Florida Bar (1983).[3]

Judicial service

On September 4, 1990, Dade County voters elected Silverman to become a judge of the Dade County Court. After taking the bench in January 1991, he served two terms in the county court, working in both the criminal and civil divisions. He served in the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (1991, 1993-1995 and 1997-1998), Joseph Caleb Center (1992), and the Miami Beach Satellite Courthouse (1995-1997). In 1996, Chief Judge Joseph P. Farina appointed him an Associate Administrative Judge, and he continued in that position until his elevation to the circuit court. In 1998, without opposition, Silverman was elected a circuit court judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. He began his term in January 1999, and served in the criminal (1999-2006), civil (2006-2010), and family (2006 and 2010–2012) divisions of the circuit court. He retired from the court on May 1, 2012, after nearly 22 years on the bench.

While a circuit court judge, Silverman served as an Associate Judge on the Florida First District Court of Appeal (2006) and the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal [4][5] (2001 and 2005).

In January 2004, Chief Judge Joseph P. Farina administratively designated Silverman the court historian for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida.[6] Judge Silverman is a founder and trustee of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Historical Society.[7]

Notable cases

On December 6, 1991, Silverman interfered with and stopped an attack on a woman by her former boyfriend. Just minutes earlier, the attacker was placed on probation for battery by Judge Cindy Lederman. Once outside the courthouse, the attacker again battered the victim by dropping her to the sidewalk. Silverman ordered that he stop, which he did, and escorted the defendant before the previous judge who immediately voided his probation and sentenced him to 60 days in jail.[8]

In April 2001, Silverman sentenced a criminal defendant to 9 1/2 years in prison after he was convicted of driving under the influence causing serious bodily injury to a state trooper on I95.[9][10]

On May 1, 2001, Silverman sentenced Roberto Suarez to life imprisonment plus 35 years fatally burning TV psychic Addy Tejeiro and blowing up her shop.[11]

On June 15, 2001, Silverman vacated Jerry Frank Townsend's two Dade County, Florida murder convictions and a rape conviction. Townsend, who had served 22 years in prison for those convictions and four other murder convictions emanating from Broward County, Florida, was ordered released by the judge after DNA evidence demonstrated Townsend had not committed the crimes to which he had confessed and was found guilty.[12][13]

In November 2001, Silverman sentenced a former Miami-Dade patrol officer to state prison after the officer was convicted of unlawful compensation and official misconduct for purportedly pressuring a 19-year-old motorist into having sex instead of ticketing her.[14]

In November 2001, Silverman presided over a case in which two Hialeah police officers, both sons of the Chief of the Hialeah Police Department, were charged with battery and official misconduct. Both defendants were acquitted by the jury.[15]

In April 2003, Florida Marlins pitcher Liván Hernández entered a plea before Silverman. The 1997 World Series MVP accepted a plea agreement after Hernandez allegedly swung golf clubs at a 65-year-old man in Miami.[16]

In February 2004, as part of negotiated plea with prosecutors, Silverman sentenced Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi of Boston's Winter Hill Gang to concurrent terms of life without parole, plus 30 years for the 1982 slaying of John B. Callahan, a Boston accountant and former World Jai Alai president.[17][18] Also, as part of a negotiated plea with prosecutors, John Martorano pleaded guilty before Silverman to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder for the 1982 slaying of Callahan.[19]

In November 2008, Silverman ruled that the members of the American Legion could continue in their Alhambra Circuit clubhouse. The City of Coral Gables wanted the structure back so it could possibly develop the property into offices.[20]

In 2009, Silverman declared a mistrial and dismissed a case. During a momentary sidebar, the plaintiff texted information to its testifying witness on matters relating to the case.[21]

Notable litigants whose cases have appeared before Silverman include Lil' Wayne,[22] former Green Bay Packers fullback Najeh Davenport,[23] and Robin Givens.[24]

Awards and honors

He received the Judge Harvey Ford Leadership Award, presented by the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida, in 1998.[25][26]

He received the Herbert Harley Award, presented by the American Judicature Society, in 2000.[2][27]

He received the 2007 Silverman Award, presented by the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Historical Society.[28]

Silverman was inducted into the Miami Beach Senior High School Hall of Fame in 2010.[29] He was a 2010 recipient of the Public Service Award from the Attorneys' Division of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.[30][31]

Silverman received the Justice Award, presented by the League of Prosecutors of Florida, in 2011.[32] He was the 2011 recipient of the David C. Brotemarkle Award, presented by the Florida Historical Society.[33]

Videos

Silverman, wrote, directed, produced and narrated, The Dade County Courthouse: A History in Progress, in 2003. The 43 minute video premiered before the Dade County Bar Association. The video is shown during orientation to all prospective jurors in Miami-Dade County.[34]

Silverman, wrote, directed, produced and narrated, Groundbreaking. The 8 minute video was shown to all attendees at the groundbreaking for the restoration of courtroom 6-1 of the Dade County Courthouse on May 15, 2007.[35][36]

Bar polls
Bar Poll Results (rounded off)
Organization Combined Exceptionally Qualified & Qualified Unqualified
2010 Dade County Bar Association[37] 95%5%
2010 Cuban American Bar Association Cell B Cell C
2005 Dade County Bar Association [38] 91%9%
2004 Dade County Bar Association [39] 90% 10%
2004 Cuban American Bar Association 95% 5%
2002 Cuban American Bar Association 95% 5%
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gollark: It knows where you are
gollark: Transliteration is converting the letters/sounds. Translation is actually translating into the right language's grammar and vocab.
gollark: (Yes, that is transliteration and not translation. Deal with it.)
gollark: Γρεεκ Ις Φυν!

References
  1. "11th Judicial Circuit Judge Directory" (PDF). Reports.jud11.flcourts.org. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  3. "Scott Jay Silverman : The Florida Bar". Floridabar.org. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  4. "Robin haskins v. City of Fort Lauderdale" (PDF). 4dca.org. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  5. "Grace Broz, Appellant, V. Eugenio Rodriguez, M.D., Eugenio Rodriguez". Lexisone.com. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  7. "11JCHS · HistoryMiami". Historymiami.org. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  8. "Suspect flees, but here comes the judge Defendant a free man - for 15 minutes. - Baltimore Sun". Articles.baltimoresun.com. December 6, 1991. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  9. "Man Who Hit Trooper Convicted," The Miami Herald, February 21, 2001: 3B Local
  10. Driver Gets 9 1/2-Year Sentence for DUI Crash," The Miami Herald, April 12, 2001: 2B Local
  11. "Lover Pleads Guilty to Burning TV Psychic," The Miami Herald, May 1, 2001: 3B Local
  12. "Retarded Man Freed On DNA Evidence - New York Times". Nytimes.com. June 16, 2001. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  13. "Townsend Released - Sun Sentinel". Articles.sun-sentinel.com. June 16, 2001. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  14. "Once-Decorated Officer Sentenced for Coercing Sex," The Miami Herald, November 30, 2001 - 1B Local
  15. "Hialeah Chief's Sons Not Guilty in Beating Case," The Miami Herald, November 21, 2001: 3B Broward
  17. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717072528/http://www.tonews.com/post/5197691/clari/boston_mobster_gets_life_for_1982_murder.html. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. "Article: Boston mobster gets life for 1982 murder of Miami jai alai exec. | AccessMyLibrary - Promoting library advocacy". AccessMyLibrary. February 28, 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  19. "Remember this story? [Archive] - Sitcoms Online Message Boards - Forums". Sitcomsonline.com. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  20. "Judge Says Vets can Keep Coral Gables Clubhouse," The Miami Herald, November 23, 2008 - GS4
  21. "Judge Axes Case, Awards Legal Fees for Texting Witness at Trial - News". ABA Journal. August 17, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  22. "When will Lil' Wayne pay his diamond debt," The Miami Herald, August 13, 2008: 8A Front
  23. "Davenport Denies Charges, Agrees to Deal," The Miami Herald, October 30, 2002: 2D Sports
  24. Case No. 2004-3376-CA-01 in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida
  25. "County Court Courier" (PDF). Countyjudges.com. June 1997. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  26. "Miami Beach Senior High School Alumni Association - Announcements - Miami Beach Senior High School Alumni Association eMail Bulletin". Beachhigh.com. August 22, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  27. "Judicature Society Honors Surfside Judge," The Miami Herald, July 16, 2000: 32MB Neighbors
  29. Miami Beach Senior High School Hall of Fame Announcement http://www.beachhigh.com/announcement.asp?id=82
  30. "Greater Miami Jewish Federation: Federation's Attorneys' Division Hosts 26th Annual Judicial Reception". Jewishmiami.org. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  31. "26th Annual Judicial Reception" (PDF). Wnflaw.com. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  32. "Annual Justice Award". League of Prosecutors. October 1, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  33. "Awards | Florida Historical Society". Myfloridahistory.org. Archived from the original on March 7, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  34. The Miami Herald - January 29, 2004 - 1B Metro & State
  35. "Dade County Courthouse: 6-1 Groundbreaking". YouTube. December 5, 1981. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  37. Mario Iglesias (March 31, 2015). "Uploads Media Profile Dade County Bar Association" (PDF). Dadecountybar.org. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  38. Mario Iglesias (March 31, 2015). "Uploads Media Profile Dade County Bar Association" (PDF). Dadecountybar.org. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  39. Mario Iglesias (March 31, 2015). "Uploads Media Profile Dade County Bar Association" (PDF). Dadecountybar.org. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
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