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Hillsborough's judiciary on track

By Times editorial
Published August 7, 2006

Five years ago, Hillsborough's judiciary looked like a scene from Animal House, with judges partying, hitting on the help and engaging in a range of political abuses that demeaned their offices. In 2000 and 2001, four circuit judges retired or resigned and the state attorney committed suicide after Gov. Jeb Bush ordered an investigation into his finances.

The court's image has largely recovered in the five years since, thanks to the tone set by the chief judge, Manuel Menendez Jr., several good gubernatorial appointments that diversified the bench and the depth of experience within the circuit that had been eclipsed by the antics of a few.

Menendez built on several forward-looking programs conceived under his predecessor. The Unified Family Court has matured into a model intervention program for addressing problems within troubled and broken families. Why handle divorce, domestic violence and child custody separately, for example, when one family might be reeling from all three? There is more at work here than making the system efficient. Dealing with problems in a comprehensive way enables the court system to create safer environments for kids. Giving families access to education and counseling programs lessens the chance that everyday frustrations blow up into serious crises.

The circuit's diversionary programs give nonviolent youths a way to come clean and turn their lives around without entering adulthood saddled with a criminal record. Menendez's interest in reaching troubled teens shows a grasp of the modern world. As an administrator, he has involved the circuit's nearly 60 judges more in the decisionmaking process. As chairman of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, he also has raised Hillsborough's profile statewide. Appointees such as Herbert J. Baumann Jr. also reflect how Bush has helped raise the circuit's energy level and professionalism.

The courthouse is still a political animal, but Menendez has moved the judiciary in the right direction. Several good candidates seeking judgeships this year should help the court better reflect a growing, diverse county. The courthouse has become less colorful and even a bit boring - and that's a good thing.

[Last modified August 7, 2006, 06:12:53]