Rick Scott bashes judge for following the law in pension case

From the Sun Sentinel

By Janet E. Ferris

March 12, 2012
I was stunned by the comments made by Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Gov. Rick Scott about a former colleague, Tallahassee Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford.

After receiving her ruling on the public employees' pension case, they provided Floridians with their opinion that Judge Fulford is an "activist judge," and is widely known for her activism. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The comment was based on absolutely nothing other than disagreement with Judge Fulford's ruling on another case: the Judge stopped the 2011 Legislature's prison privatization effort, finding that the Legislature had not followed the law. Senator Haridopolos and the governor could have calmly expressed disagreement with the judge's decisions, but they decided to attack her personally instead.

The reality is that in two very important cases, Judge Fulford carefully analyzed the issues before her, and made a reasoned decision

So why are Senator Haridopolos and Gov. Scott so perplexed? Is it because they simply want to get their way, regardless of what the law or the Constitution require?

Judge Fulford is dedicated to the law, adheres to the highest standards of ethics, works exceptionally hard, and respects the people she serves. And as someone who held the same position Judge Fulford now holds, I can tell you that Florida's trial court judges make their decisions based on the law, not politics.

So the next time the senate president or the governor speaks disparagingly about a judge, you can safely assume that the judge's decision stood in the way of something that was legally improper.

Floridians, you should be proud that Judge Fulford made our elected officials follow the law — she did exactly what you expect a judge to do.

Janet E. Ferris is a retired circuit judge in Tallahassee

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/fl-judge-fulford-forum-20120312,0,2374343.story