Mark F. Carpanini
Mark F. Carpanini
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Mark Carpanini held his ground, if not his position, in this year's Ledger survey of lawyers.
He averaged 7.22 this time around, a scant 0.02 from the 7.24 he received in 2008. But he tumbled in his placement among the 28 circuit judges, from a tie for 14th before to 21st now.
Some lawyers said they find him bright and witty, while others say he doesn't follow the law.
"Very pro defendant," wrote one lawyer. "(He) will ignore law in favor of what he perceives as 'fair.'"
Carpanini, 56, said he wasn't surprised by most of the comments offered by lawyers, but that one caught his attention.
"I'm surprised by that one," he said. "I'm rarely accused of being pro-defendant. If anything, I've been accused of single-handedly creating the overcrowding problem at the Polk County Jail."
Carpanini received his highest rating for professional conduct and activities, at 7.67, and his lowest score was for written decisions, at 6.86.
"Bright, thoughtful and careful to ensure justice," wrote one lawyer.
"Does not follow the law," another wrote. "When confronted with the law, he will decline to follow it and let the appellate court deal with it."
Carpanini spent 23 years with the County Attorney's Office for the Polk County Commission before joining the bench as a county judge in 2002. He was appointed to that position, then appointed to a circuit judgeship four years later.
He received his law degree from the University of Miami. He also holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of South Florida.
He and his wife, Barbara, have two children, Francesca and Anthony, and live in Lakeland.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.22 | 7.05 | 7.30 | 6.86 | 7.67 |
Comments
Bright; thoughtful; and careful to ensure justice.
Judge Carpanini is thoroughly expedient. His only purpose appears to be going through the motions within the minimum requirements of the law. Judge Carpanini is rude to lawyers and litigants alike. Poor judge.
Very fine judge.
Extremely bright and witty, but with a very sloppy appearance.
Not the brightest!
Uncertain, reluctant.
Does not listen.
Does not follow the law. When confronted with the law he will decline to follow it and let the appellate court deal with it.
A little bothered by the types of cases now before him, luckily he gets to rotate.
Very pro defendant. Will ignore law in favor of what he perceives as "fair."
Good common sense, brighter than expected.
Lack of litigation experience shows.
Very capable and quick to learn.
Moves courtroom slowly. Excellent demeanor.
Solid.
Lazy.
Maintains control of his courtroom in an effective fashion. Keeps focused on the main issues. Rules confidently and justly.
A good judge.
Not afraid to make decisions, very sure of himself. Makes good legal decisions and sticks with them.
Judge Carpanini is thoroughly expedient. His only purpose appears to be going through the motions within the minimum requirements of the law. Judge Carpanini is rude to lawyers and litigants alike. Poor judge.
Very fine judge.
Extremely bright and witty, but with a very sloppy appearance.
Not the brightest!
Uncertain, reluctant.
Does not listen.
Does not follow the law. When confronted with the law he will decline to follow it and let the appellate court deal with it.
A little bothered by the types of cases now before him, luckily he gets to rotate.
Very pro defendant. Will ignore law in favor of what he perceives as "fair."
Good common sense, brighter than expected.
Lack of litigation experience shows.
Very capable and quick to learn.
Moves courtroom slowly. Excellent demeanor.
Solid.
Lazy.
Maintains control of his courtroom in an effective fashion. Keeps focused on the main issues. Rules confidently and justly.
A good judge.
Not afraid to make decisions, very sure of himself. Makes good legal decisions and sticks with them.
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Mark Carpanini held his ground, if not his position, in this year's Ledger survey of lawyers.
He averaged 7.22 this time around, a scant 0.02 from the 7.24 he received in 2008. But he tumbled in his placement among the 28 circuit judges, from a tie for 14th before to 21st now.
Some lawyers said they find him bright and witty, while others say he doesn't follow the law.
"Very pro defendant," wrote one lawyer. "(He) will ignore law in favor of what he perceives as 'fair.'"
Carpanini, 56, said he wasn't surprised by most of the comments offered by lawyers, but that one caught his attention.
"I'm surprised by that one," he said. "I'm rarely accused of being pro-defendant. If anything, I've been accused of single-handedly creating the overcrowding problem at the Polk County Jail."
Carpanini received his highest rating for professional conduct and activities, at 7.67, and his lowest score was for written decisions, at 6.86.
"Bright, thoughtful and careful to ensure justice," wrote one lawyer.
"Does not follow the law," another wrote. "When confronted with the law, he will decline to follow it and let the appellate court deal with it."
Carpanini spent 23 years with the County Attorney's Office for the Polk County Commission before joining the bench as a county judge in 2002. He was appointed to that position, then appointed to a circuit judgeship four years later.
He received his law degree from the University of Miami. He also holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of South Florida.
He and his wife, Barbara, have two children, Francesca and Anthony, and live in Lakeland.
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Lawyers were split in their opinions about Circuit Judge Mark Carpanini, who's been on the circuit bench since 2005.
He ranked in a tie for 14th in this poll, up four spots from 18th two years ago. His overall score inched higher as well, from 7.11 to 7.24. He tied with Circuit Judge Jay Yancey.
His highest rating, 7.70, came in the category of professional conduct. His lowest was a 6.86 in written decisions.
Based on the comments of 22 lawyers, they either like Carpanini or they don't. There was little middle ground.
"Excellent judge," one lawyer wrote. "Has not forgotten what it is like to be an attorney trying to make a living."
"Fair and good man," another said. "Respects parties and attorneys alike."
Others recalled his background as Polk County's staff attorney, saying his experience hasn't served him well.
"He doesn't have a clue about the practice of law," one lawyer said.
Carpanini said, overall, he was pleased with the comments.
"I recognize that nobody is perfect and we all can improve,'' he said.
Carpanini, 54, worked in the County Attorney's Office for more than two decades, including 12 years as county attorney, before he was appointed to the County Court bench in 2002.
His current term expires this year.
He received his law degree from the University of Miami.
Carpanini and his wife, Barbara, have two children. They live in Lakeland.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.24 | 7.08 | 7.31 | 6.86 | 7.70 |
Comments
Mark F. Carpanini
A great judge to be before; very calm, very professional.
Climbing the judicial ladder on his own merits; that is refreshing.
Could improve.
Early in, late to leave at the end of the day; a hard worker.
Early in, late to leave at the end of the day; a hard worker.
Excellent judge, but he can be temperamental.
Excellent judge, has not forgotten what it is like to be attorney trying to make a living.
Fair and good man, respects parties and attorneys alike.
Hard to fathom.
Hard working.
He is learning and is very fair and sensible.
Is not courageous.
Not a self-starter.
On the whole, a pretty good judge.
Relatively new and doesn't know all the law yet; doesn't always follow the law when he knows it; takes his
frustrations out on the wrong person.
Sometimes moves cases/trials along, worrying more about speed than legal arguments/issues.
Very bright.
Very fair and helpful in the way he runs his office/calendar.
Very professional and courteous.
Weak judge.
A great judge to be before; very calm, very professional.
Climbing the judicial ladder on his own merits; that is refreshing.
Could improve.
Early in, late to leave at the end of the day; a hard worker.
Early in, late to leave at the end of the day; a hard worker.
Excellent judge, but he can be temperamental.
Excellent judge, has not forgotten what it is like to be attorney trying to make a living.
Fair and good man, respects parties and attorneys alike.
Hard to fathom.
Hard working.
He is learning and is very fair and sensible.
Is not courageous.
Not a self-starter.
On the whole, a pretty good judge.
Relatively new and doesn't know all the law yet; doesn't always follow the law when he knows it; takes his
frustrations out on the wrong person.
Sometimes moves cases/trials along, worrying more about speed than legal arguments/issues.
Very bright.
Very fair and helpful in the way he runs his office/calendar.
Very professional and courteous.
Weak judge.
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Lawyers were split in their opinions about Circuit Judge Mark Carpanini, who's been on the circuit bench since 2005.
He ranked in a tie for 14th in this poll, up four spots from 18th two years ago. His overall score inched higher as well, from 7.11 to 7.24. He tied with Circuit Judge Jay Yancey.
His highest rating, 7.70, came in the category of professional conduct. His lowest was a 6.86 in written decisions.
Based on the comments of 22 lawyers, they either like Carpanini or they don't. There was little middle ground.
"Excellent judge," one lawyer wrote. "Has not forgotten what it is like to be an attorney trying to make a living."
"Fair and good man," another said. "Respects parties and attorneys alike."
Others recalled his background as Polk County's staff attorney, saying his experience hasn't served him well.
"He doesn't have a clue about the practice of law," one lawyer said.
Carpanini said, overall, he was pleased with the comments.
"I recognize that nobody is perfect and we all can improve,'' he said.
Carpanini, 54, worked in the County Attorney's Office for more than two decades, including 12 years as county attorney, before he was appointed to the County Court bench in 2002.
His current term expires this year.
He received his law degree from the University of Miami.
Carpanini and his wife, Barbara, have two children. They live in Lakeland.