Charles B. Curry
Charles B. Curry
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Charles B. Curry takes the results and comments from The Ledger's bar survey in stride.
"You're never as good as they say you are," he said. "You're never as bad as they say you are."
Curry's reputation as a judge remains pretty squarely in the realm of good, according to The Ledger's most recent biennial survey of local lawyers.
He ranked fifth among 28 circuit judges with an overall rating of 8.07 out of 10.
In 2008, he was ranked eighth among 25 circuit judges with an overall rating of 7.88.
This year, his highest individual category was 8.29 for his communication ability. His lowest was 7.88 for written decisions.
In their anonymous comments, some lawyers spoke highly of Curry for being plain-spoken, polite, prepared and authoritative.
"Great presence, experience and sense of humor," one wrote.
"He listens attentively, asks courteous but pinpoint questions, and his written decisions are well-reasoned," another wrote.
"Enforces the laws and the rules equally," one offered. "Keeps lawyers in line so his docket is on time."
Criticisms for Curry were few. One person described him as a "bully" and "very political," and another called him "a little moody."
Curry earned his law degree from Florida State University in 1978.
He was elected to the county bench in 1982 and elected to the circuit bench in 1988.
Curry, 57, and his wife, Cynthia, live in Winter Haven. He has two grown children from a previous marriage.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.07 | 8.15 | 8.29 | 7.88 | 7.98 |
Comments
Solid judge.
Still an excellent judge after all these years.
Excellent judge, fair to all, well written decisions.
A bully. Very political. Needs to retire.
Fabulous trial judge.
Good, steady judge.
We're lucky to have him.
Great presence, experience and sense of humor.
Very plain spoken. Always polite though not afraid to make tough decisions.
Very practical, fantastic judge. One of, if not the, best.
Sometimes a little moody.
Judge Curry is the best judge in Polk County I have experience with. He listens attentively, asks courteous but pinpoint questions, and his written decisions are well-reasoned. Even where I have lost a case or motion before him, I feel as though my client
Enforces the laws and the rules equally. Keeps lawyers in line, so his docket is on time.
Willing to take time to be prepared. Good judge to practice in front of.
Not very active in legal activities.
Solid, practical.
Applies wrong standards at times. Just an OK judge despite his many years.
Astute, considerate, but firm.
Always dependable.
Good judge.
No complaints.
Still an excellent judge after all these years.
Excellent judge, fair to all, well written decisions.
A bully. Very political. Needs to retire.
Fabulous trial judge.
Good, steady judge.
We're lucky to have him.
Great presence, experience and sense of humor.
Very plain spoken. Always polite though not afraid to make tough decisions.
Very practical, fantastic judge. One of, if not the, best.
Sometimes a little moody.
Judge Curry is the best judge in Polk County I have experience with. He listens attentively, asks courteous but pinpoint questions, and his written decisions are well-reasoned. Even where I have lost a case or motion before him, I feel as though my client
Enforces the laws and the rules equally. Keeps lawyers in line, so his docket is on time.
Willing to take time to be prepared. Good judge to practice in front of.
Not very active in legal activities.
Solid, practical.
Applies wrong standards at times. Just an OK judge despite his many years.
Astute, considerate, but firm.
Always dependable.
Good judge.
No complaints.
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Charles B. Curry takes the results and comments from The Ledger's bar survey in stride.
"You're never as good as they say you are," he said. "You're never as bad as they say you are."
Curry's reputation as a judge remains pretty squarely in the realm of good, according to The Ledger's most recent biennial survey of local lawyers.
He ranked fifth among 28 circuit judges with an overall rating of 8.07 out of 10.
In 2008, he was ranked eighth among 25 circuit judges with an overall rating of 7.88.
This year, his highest individual category was 8.29 for his communication ability. His lowest was 7.88 for written decisions.
In their anonymous comments, some lawyers spoke highly of Curry for being plain-spoken, polite, prepared and authoritative.
"Great presence, experience and sense of humor," one wrote.
"He listens attentively, asks courteous but pinpoint questions, and his written decisions are well-reasoned," another wrote.
"Enforces the laws and the rules equally," one offered. "Keeps lawyers in line so his docket is on time."
Criticisms for Curry were few. One person described him as a "bully" and "very political," and another called him "a little moody."
Curry earned his law degree from Florida State University in 1978.
He was elected to the county bench in 1982 and elected to the circuit bench in 1988.
Curry, 57, and his wife, Cynthia, live in Winter Haven. He has two grown children from a previous marriage.
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By ERIC PERA
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Charles Curry continued to improve his overall rank in The Ledger's survey of local lawyers, placing eighth in a field of 25 judges.
Curry's rise from a ninth-place tie in 2006 and 11th place in 2004 underscores his rapport with lawyers, many of whom admire the veteran judge for injecting personality and humor into the courtroom while remaining fair and balanced.
"A dean among judges," one lawyer said.
"Steady and consistent," said another.
"Still the best trial judge in the building," said a third.
Curry's overall score in this year's survey was 7.88 out of 10, up from 7.78 in 2006.
This year, Curry again scored highest for communication, 8.15, followed by legal ability, 7.97. His lowest score was 7.68 for written decisions.
Curry works in the Civil Division.
While most comments were favorable, a few lawyers criticized Curry as arrogant and glib.
"Should retire," one lawyer said.
Curry took the criticism, and compliments, in stride.
"I always say the same thing; it is what it is," he said. "I've been as high as second (place) and as low, I think, as 11th. And I've never really changed anything."
Curry, 55, received his law degree from Florida State University in 1978 and was elected to the Polk County bench in 1982.
When Circuit Judge John Dewell retired, Curry ran successfully for the seat in 1988. His current term expires in 2012.
Curry has two children from a previous marriage and is now married to his former assistant, Cynthia.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.88 | 7.97 | 8.15 | 7.68 | 7.71 |
Comments
Charles B. Curry
A "dean" among judges.
A real talent on the bench.
Arrogant and condescending but a good joke teller.
Best Chief Judge in history of this circuit.
Could be a better judge if he would not gossip so much and try to be the class clown or funny man.
Firm with kids and parents alike, but fair.
Great judge.
Knows and applies the law.
Lots of personality; state oriented.
Solid judge.
Steady and consistent.
Still a fine judge.
Still the best trial judge in the building.
Straight forward no-nonsense guy.
Very cordial to attorneys and litigants; good judge.
Very fair.
Veteran judge and former chief judge.
Wants to and should retire.
Willing to take time to learn when it is a new area.
Would have benefited from a better education.
A "dean" among judges.
A real talent on the bench.
Arrogant and condescending but a good joke teller.
Best Chief Judge in history of this circuit.
Could be a better judge if he would not gossip so much and try to be the class clown or funny man.
Firm with kids and parents alike, but fair.
Great judge.
Knows and applies the law.
Lots of personality; state oriented.
Solid judge.
Steady and consistent.
Still a fine judge.
Still the best trial judge in the building.
Straight forward no-nonsense guy.
Very cordial to attorneys and litigants; good judge.
Very fair.
Veteran judge and former chief judge.
Wants to and should retire.
Willing to take time to learn when it is a new area.
Would have benefited from a better education.
Article
By ERIC PERA
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Charles Curry continued to improve his overall rank in The Ledger's survey of local lawyers, placing eighth in a field of 25 judges.
Curry's rise from a ninth-place tie in 2006 and 11th place in 2004 underscores his rapport with lawyers, many of whom admire the veteran judge for injecting personality and humor into the courtroom while remaining fair and balanced.
"A dean among judges," one lawyer said.
"Steady and consistent," said another.
"Still the best trial judge in the building," said a third.
Curry's overall score in this year's survey was 7.88 out of 10, up from 7.78 in 2006.
This year, Curry again scored highest for communication, 8.15, followed by legal ability, 7.97. His lowest score was 7.68 for written decisions.
Curry works in the Civil Division.
While most comments were favorable, a few lawyers criticized Curry as arrogant and glib.
"Should retire," one lawyer said.
Curry took the criticism, and compliments, in stride.
"I always say the same thing; it is what it is," he said. "I've been as high as second (place) and as low, I think, as 11th. And I've never really changed anything."
Curry, 55, received his law degree from Florida State University in 1978 and was elected to the Polk County bench in 1982.
When Circuit Judge John Dewell retired, Curry ran successfully for the seat in 1988. His current term expires in 2012.
Curry has two children from a previous marriage and is now married to his former assistant, Cynthia.