Seminole County, Florida Chief Judge Alan A. Dickey Abusing His Power
Behind the Bench
Judge Alan Dickey, acting outside the oath he swore, hands down a non-
jury trial six month sentence to 55 year old local man who misses one
court hearing because of Doctor Appointment.
Seminole, FL (USA), Saturday - October 22nd, 2011 -- In Seminole County a
civil case has landed a man behind bars for six months for criminal
contempt with no jury trial to decide his fate. The case number
2008CA003218 is a civil case now turned criminal because one man missed
one hearing, even though he had a physician’s note as a plausible reason
for his absence. The State Attorney, Andrew Jones, prosecuted the case
with the help of the civil plaintiffs high cost attorneys. This action
would have been similar to Judge Perry in the Casey Anthony trial
allowing John Morgan, Dan Newlin, Mark Nejame, and Ranier Munns and their
law firms to assist the State of Florida in the prosecution of Casey
Anthony. Judge Perry did not allow that in Orange county, but if you
travel north about 20 miles, you will discover a courtroom that allows
this unprecedented behavior.
In the field of law, there is a distinct difference between civil and
criminal cases. A civil case is when you have a dispute with another
citizen or company and you decide to sue or vice versa. A criminal case
is when the State of Florida, for example, prosecutes you for a crime you
have committed and you face criminal charges. Occasionally, a civil case
can result in criminal charges against the plaintiffs and defendants. For
instance, if a plaintiff or defendant fails to appear in court they can
be charged with contempt of court, their actions could result in criminal
charges being filed against them. For most civil cases that turn
criminal, the State Attorneys regard them lightly and typically don’t
inflict serious consequences. This is because they are busy prosecuting
real thieves and murderers.
Casey Anthony, the most recent high profile case, was a criminal case and
her fate was decided by her peers, not Judge Perry. However, what
occurred in Seminole County is a civil case presided over by Judge
Dickey, that has landed a man behind bars for six months for criminal
contempt charges, without any jury trial to decide his fate. In this
unilateral, unauthorized decision, Judge Dickey has revealed a blatant
personal bias.
If you watch the nightly local news, you’ll hear about budget cuts being
enacted in Seminole County, and local public schools being shut down
because of lack of funding. Yet now the Chief Judge, who oversees the
Seminole County Judicial budget, is responsible for billing Seminole
County taxpayers for six months housing costs for a civil litigant who
missed a hearing, although he had a physician’s note. To say this is an
abuse of power by Judge Dickey and a gross abuse of Seminole County funds
is an understatement. The Judicial Qualifications Commission has received
complaints against Judge Alan Dickey; however, the JQC won’t act in
regards to Judge Dickey because they do not get involved in ongoing
litigation. Since this case will remain open, Judge Dickey can continue
to rule with a personal bias, much like former reprimanded Judge Erickson
in Seminole County. Judge Erickson, who resembles Judge Dickey and has
had a personal friendship with him for years, has put innocent victims in
jail and grossly abused his power; yet, he got a mere slap on the wrist
from the Judicial Qualifications Commission. The Judicial Qualification
Commission (JQC) also has the former chief Judge of Seminole County, the
Honorable Preston Silvernail as the Vice-chair. Silvernail is the one
whom appointed Judge Dickey as the new Chief Judge in Seminole County.
The consequences given to these Judges are a joke, and continues to allow
them to express personal bias, take bribes, and put innocent people in
jail and then when caught, are simply asked to step down, retire, or
receive a month’s probation. This is what is taking place in our court
system today and our community needs to speak out in outrage. Judge Alan
Dickey, who translated his personal bias in the above case to former
Senator Lee Constantine on a phone call in December of last year, still
refused to come off the case when requested by the man now serving the
six month sentence handed down by him. Judge Dickey even refused when the
public defender, Scott Sterling, petitioned for his removal. Mr. Sterling
mentioned he has never seen such bias, but responded weakly to the
injustices, perhaps because his paycheck is signed by the county. Any
sentence exceeding six months requires a jury trial in Florida, yet Judge
Dickey callously ordered the five months and 23 days immediately upon a
Final Judgment ruling. Typically, after being found guilty you come back
to another hearing for sentencing. However, Judge Dickey handed down the
sentence quickly, with the civil attorneys in the courtroom, who
ironically asked for the same 5 months 23 days sentence for civil
contempt.
No Judge should favor one side or be impartial; however, the actions of
Judge Dickey show otherwise. The State prosecutor in the above case,
Andrew Jones, shares the same office with public defender Scott Sterling
at 101 Bush Boulevard. However, no plea deal was done between the two
because of Judge Dickey allowing the attorney from the civil case to
assist Jones in the prosecution. Judge Dickey’s loyalty behind the bench
for 35 years is commendable. Judge Dickey should be honored for his 35
years; however, his inability to separate himself personally from a case,
hopefully, will result in the Judicial Qualifications Commission removing
him from the bench. Seminole Corrupted County is quickly becoming a
cesspool with Judge Dickey at the helm. If you want to help please go to
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/representatives/representatives.as
px and tell your House Representative to impeach Judge Dickey. Seminole
County is represented by Chris Dorworth, Jason Brodeur, Larry Metz, and
Scott Plakon. The members of the house with a 2/3 vote can expel him, or
if you have any information on Judge Dickey, send it to the Judicial
Qualifications Commission at 1110 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, Florida
32303. The JQC can recommend to the state Supreme Court to reprimand or
retire Judge Dickey. And remember, every day innocent people get put in
jail because of corruption and Judges abusing their power. If you would
like to help, visit https://www.wepay.com/donate/prosefund and make a
donation to help stop corruption in our courts.
Press & Media Contact:
Mark Daniel
Imoria
Seminole, FL
407-777-9888
Mark@Imoria.com
http://www.Imoria.com
law firms, civil case, unauthorized decision, busy prosecuting, serious
consequences