Word to the Wise:

Florida's judicial system is plagued with a lack of intellectual integrity on the part of the bench and bar.  Apathy concerning this issue is overwhelming amongst most members.  Unless this issue is addressed, public confidence in the judicial branch of government will continue to decline and injustice will abound.

RKAII

Word to the Wise

Judges are human, most have agendas and are not neutral.  It's just as important to understand the judge's agenda as it is to understand the law.  Don't be fooled into thinking the law is controlling. That's a myth they teach you in law school.  Judges usually interpret and apply the law in a manner consistent with the outcome they desire to see in a given case.  Make your record for appellate purposes and prepare to exhaust all of your judicial remedies.  Remember, the pursuit of justice is like a marathon not a sprint.

Word to the wise:

Proper jury instructions are essential to every case.  Don't assume that the trial court is neutral during the charge conference.  The trial court can influence the outcome of a case by the way it rules on proposed instructions and requests for special instructions.  Be sure to make timely specific objections where necessary during the charge conference so that the issues are properly preserved for appeal.