J. Michael McCarthy
J. Michael McCarthy
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge J. Michael McCarthy tumbled in the rankings from 10th to 20th in The Ledger's judges survey, with a corresponding drop in his rating from 7.51 to 7.36.
But lawyers were more positive than negative. Some said he can be temperamental and irascible, but most complimented his courtroom demeanor and fairness.
"Friendly and shows concern for juvenile delinquents," one wrote.
"I thought he wouldn't have the patience, but he does," another said. "Great in civil."
McCarthy's highest rating came in legal ability, with a 7.48. His lowest rating was written decisions, at 7.17.
Two years ago, McCarthy tied for 10th in The Ledger's survey of area lawyers. Since then, he has cycled into juvenile court, where he hears cases on juvenile delinquency.
McCarthy said he's somewhat surprised by his fall in the rankings but said he doesn't see many lawyers working in the juvenile division. "I work regularly with only about a dozen private lawyers right now. That could have something to do with it."
McCarthy, 66, received his law degree from the University of Florida. He worked in private practice for 30 years before being appointed to the bench in 2000 by Gov. Jeb Bush.
He has two children and lives in Lakeland with his wife, Karen.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.36 | 7.48 | 7.36 | 7.17 | 7.43 |
Comments
Excellent judge.
Friendly and shows concern for juvenile delinquents.
Entertaining courtroom performance to say the least.
Thank heavens for retirement age limits. Lazy and snippy.
Generally a good judge who needs a change of scenery from juvenile court.
Lazy. Irrascible.
Doing very good job in Juvenile Court.
Lazy judge - 20-hour a week.
Needs to improve upon written orders/memos. Usually fair and open minded.
I thought he wouldn't have the patience but he does - great in civil.
Practical.
Does not take his position seriously.
Seems to have lost his zest for the job.
He could be very good if he tried, but he usually doesn't.
Calm, cool, fair.
Poor judge. Prejudges his decisions. Should be challenged at re-election time.
Friendly and shows concern for juvenile delinquents.
Entertaining courtroom performance to say the least.
Thank heavens for retirement age limits. Lazy and snippy.
Generally a good judge who needs a change of scenery from juvenile court.
Lazy. Irrascible.
Doing very good job in Juvenile Court.
Lazy judge - 20-hour a week.
Needs to improve upon written orders/memos. Usually fair and open minded.
I thought he wouldn't have the patience but he does - great in civil.
Practical.
Does not take his position seriously.
Seems to have lost his zest for the job.
He could be very good if he tried, but he usually doesn't.
Calm, cool, fair.
Poor judge. Prejudges his decisions. Should be challenged at re-election time.
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge J. Michael McCarthy tumbled in the rankings from 10th to 20th in The Ledger's judges survey, with a corresponding drop in his rating from 7.51 to 7.36.
But lawyers were more positive than negative. Some said he can be temperamental and irascible, but most complimented his courtroom demeanor and fairness.
"Friendly and shows concern for juvenile delinquents," one wrote.
"I thought he wouldn't have the patience, but he does," another said. "Great in civil."
McCarthy's highest rating came in legal ability, with a 7.48. His lowest rating was written decisions, at 7.17.
Two years ago, McCarthy tied for 10th in The Ledger's survey of area lawyers. Since then, he has cycled into juvenile court, where he hears cases on juvenile delinquency.
McCarthy said he's somewhat surprised by his fall in the rankings but said he doesn't see many lawyers working in the juvenile division. "I work regularly with only about a dozen private lawyers right now. That could have something to do with it."
McCarthy, 66, received his law degree from the University of Florida. He worked in private practice for 30 years before being appointed to the bench in 2000 by Gov. Jeb Bush.
He has two children and lives in Lakeland with his wife, Karen.
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By JASON GEARY
The Ledger
J. Michael McCarthy rose in ranking and overall rating in this year's bar poll.
McCarthy tied for the No. 10 spot with Circuit Judge Harvey A. Kornstein. Each received an overall rating of 7.51.
McCarthy's scored highest, a 7.57, for legal ability and lowest, 7.34, for written decisions.
In 2006, he was ranked 14th among 25 circuit judges and 14th in 2004 among 22 circuit judges.
This year, lawyers' comments about McCarthy included a few describing him as being "lazy."
"Doesn't put in much effort," one wrote.
But others called McCarthy a "very good judge" with "very good legal skills."
One described McCarthy as being "very informed and well read" and "having great breadth of knowledge."
"A joy so far," one lawyer wrote. "He understands the system better than he lets on and he's always listening; just watch him and you know."
McCarthy, 64, did not wish to comment about the survey.
He was appointed to the circuit bench in 2000 by former Gov. Jeb Bush and later elected to the post. His current term expires this year. He received his law degree from the University of Florida in 1967.
McCarthy and his wife, Karen, live in Lakeland and have two children.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.51 | 7.57 | 7.55 | 7.34 | 7.56 |
Comments
J. Michael McCarthy
A joy so far; he understands the system better than he lets on and he's always listening; just watch him and you
know.
Good judge.
Great nature, patient man, doesn't always abide by established law on the bench.
Likeable but can be abrupt at times; very good legal skills.
Needs to listen and follow the law more closely sometimes.
Pedestrian.
Very good judge.
Very informed and well read; has great breadth of knowledge.
A joy so far; he understands the system better than he lets on and he's always listening; just watch him and you
know.
Good judge.
Great nature, patient man, doesn't always abide by established law on the bench.
Likeable but can be abrupt at times; very good legal skills.
Needs to listen and follow the law more closely sometimes.
Pedestrian.
Very good judge.
Very informed and well read; has great breadth of knowledge.
Article
By JASON GEARY
The Ledger
J. Michael McCarthy rose in ranking and overall rating in this year's bar poll.
McCarthy tied for the No. 10 spot with Circuit Judge Harvey A. Kornstein. Each received an overall rating of 7.51.
McCarthy's scored highest, a 7.57, for legal ability and lowest, 7.34, for written decisions.
In 2006, he was ranked 14th among 25 circuit judges and 14th in 2004 among 22 circuit judges.
This year, lawyers' comments about McCarthy included a few describing him as being "lazy."
"Doesn't put in much effort," one wrote.
But others called McCarthy a "very good judge" with "very good legal skills."
One described McCarthy as being "very informed and well read" and "having great breadth of knowledge."
"A joy so far," one lawyer wrote. "He understands the system better than he lets on and he's always listening; just watch him and you know."
McCarthy, 64, did not wish to comment about the survey.
He was appointed to the circuit bench in 2000 by former Gov. Jeb Bush and later elected to the post. His current term expires this year. He received his law degree from the University of Florida in 1967.
McCarthy and his wife, Karen, live in Lakeland and have two children.