Olin W. Shinholser
Olin W. Shinholser
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Olin W. Shinholser is a former prosecutor, and some lawyers answering a Ledger survey said he has brought that perspective with him to the bench. But others said his courtroom demeanor is the model of professionalism.
Few, however, were moderate. Lawyers who wrote comments in the survey either liked him or they didn't.
"Integrity in a robe," wrote one lawyer.
"Takes all matters 'under advisement,' resulting in delay of cases and a congested court docket," another said. "Too rigid, harsh and demanding of attorneys and parties."
"Mind of a scholar. Heart of a prosecutor. Model of professionalism," a lawyer wrote.
"He has the potential to be one of the best judges in the state, but continues to hinder himself with his unreasonable bias against defendants in criminal cases," one said.
One lawyer said simply "Outstanding."
Shinholser moved up from 22nd two years ago to 13th in this year's survey. Lawyers gave him an overall rating of 7.57, up dramatically from 6.86 in 2008.
Shinholser said he's pleased to see his ranking improve, but he's also interested to know what lawyers think.
"All of us can improve, so when I receive criticism, I try to take it to heart, and I try to do better," he said. "I always appreciate the lawyers being willing to take time to give us their comments."
Shinholser, 57, received his law degree from the University of Florida. He served as a prosecutor for the State Attorney's Office in Highlands County for 10 years before he was appointed to the county bench in January 1990. He was appointed to the circuit bench in September 2002.
He is up for election this year.
Shinholser lives in Sebring with his wife, Brenda. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.57 | 8.10 | 7.06 | 7.18 | 7.91 |
Comments
Has the potential to be one of the best judges in the state, but continues to hinder himself with his unreasonable bias against defendants in criminal cases.
Had one of the worst temporary injunction rulings/written decisions in the history of Highlands County.
No passion for people. Excellent trial judge only in the courtroom - for jury trials. No analysis for bench trials. Picks a winner and a loser. But does not apply legal principle.
Firm but always fair.
I appreciate his technical approach to decision-making. He can be level headed and rational. However, he can be sometimes excessively rigid.
Sneaky - hidden cameras on staff. Makes up law.
Judge Shinholser is professional in the courtroom and out. He is competent in his work and diligent in his review of the law. Judge Shinholser is active in the community and in the local Bar Association.
Very intelligent.
Takes his job very seriously. Expects all parties to be fully prepared.
Highlands County's issue; Polk's gain.
Outstanding.
Takes all matters "under advisement," resulting in delay of cases and congested court docket. Too rigid, harsh, and demanding of attorneys and parties.
Efficient, competent, fearsome and rigid.
Often a second state attorney in criminal cases.
Integrity in a robe.
Mind of a scholar. Heart of a prosecutor. Model of professionalism.
Too hard-headed.
Poor.
Don't get to see much of him. He was pretty good last time through.
A good man, but just too rigid as a judge.
Had one of the worst temporary injunction rulings/written decisions in the history of Highlands County.
No passion for people. Excellent trial judge only in the courtroom - for jury trials. No analysis for bench trials. Picks a winner and a loser. But does not apply legal principle.
Firm but always fair.
I appreciate his technical approach to decision-making. He can be level headed and rational. However, he can be sometimes excessively rigid.
Sneaky - hidden cameras on staff. Makes up law.
Judge Shinholser is professional in the courtroom and out. He is competent in his work and diligent in his review of the law. Judge Shinholser is active in the community and in the local Bar Association.
Very intelligent.
Takes his job very seriously. Expects all parties to be fully prepared.
Highlands County's issue; Polk's gain.
Outstanding.
Takes all matters "under advisement," resulting in delay of cases and congested court docket. Too rigid, harsh, and demanding of attorneys and parties.
Efficient, competent, fearsome and rigid.
Often a second state attorney in criminal cases.
Integrity in a robe.
Mind of a scholar. Heart of a prosecutor. Model of professionalism.
Too hard-headed.
Poor.
Don't get to see much of him. He was pretty good last time through.
A good man, but just too rigid as a judge.
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Olin W. Shinholser is a former prosecutor, and some lawyers answering a Ledger survey said he has brought that perspective with him to the bench. But others said his courtroom demeanor is the model of professionalism.
Few, however, were moderate. Lawyers who wrote comments in the survey either liked him or they didn't.
"Integrity in a robe," wrote one lawyer.
"Takes all matters 'under advisement,' resulting in delay of cases and a congested court docket," another said. "Too rigid, harsh and demanding of attorneys and parties."
"Mind of a scholar. Heart of a prosecutor. Model of professionalism," a lawyer wrote.
"He has the potential to be one of the best judges in the state, but continues to hinder himself with his unreasonable bias against defendants in criminal cases," one said.
One lawyer said simply "Outstanding."
Shinholser moved up from 22nd two years ago to 13th in this year's survey. Lawyers gave him an overall rating of 7.57, up dramatically from 6.86 in 2008.
Shinholser said he's pleased to see his ranking improve, but he's also interested to know what lawyers think.
"All of us can improve, so when I receive criticism, I try to take it to heart, and I try to do better," he said. "I always appreciate the lawyers being willing to take time to give us their comments."
Shinholser, 57, received his law degree from the University of Florida. He served as a prosecutor for the State Attorney's Office in Highlands County for 10 years before he was appointed to the county bench in January 1990. He was appointed to the circuit bench in September 2002.
He is up for election this year.
Shinholser lives in Sebring with his wife, Brenda. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By KEVIN BOUFFARD
THE LEDGER
Comparing the comments lawyers made about Circuit Judge Olin Shinholser with his survey ratings, one might think they're talking about two different people.
With an overall rating of 6.86, he ranked 22nd among the 25 judges in the 10th Circuit, a fall of five places from 2006. But if he had averaged just 0.5 points more in the current poll, he would have jumped ahead of nine others in a tightly packed group.
Shinholser, who presides mostly over civil cases in Sebring, scored highest in legal ability with a 7.2 and lowest in written decisions with a 6.51.
Half the comments from lawyers were positive and half negative.
"Can be a little stand-offish, difficult to read and sometimes to understand, but his rulings usually make sense," said a supporter.
"Were he to get the chip off his shoulder, which he's carried since assuming the county bench, he would make a wonderful judge," a critic said.
"Although appears harsh and demanding, actually is the most fair and intelligent guy on the bench; abides by the law and what is right for your parties," said one lawyer
"Judge Shinholser knows the law inside and out and applies it uniformly. His professionalism is above reproach," said another.
Other commenters called him "too inflexible" and "still as rigid as ever."
Shinholser said he appreciates both the positive and negative remarks, but "I don't get too excited."
Shinholser said he thinks the Sebring-based judges - he and Circuit Judge Peter Estrada - tend to score lower in the survey because fewer lawyers have practiced before them and therefore don't rate them. Of the 256 lawyers surveyed, just 53 percent rated Shinholser and 44 percent Estrada.
Shinholser, 55, grew up in Jacksonville and Valdosta, Ga. He received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1974 from the University of Florida, where he received his law degree two years later.
He served as a Highlands County judge for 13 years before Gov. Jeb Bush appointed him to the circuit bench in 2002. Previously he worked as an assistant state attorney in Highlands. His current term expires in 2010.
He lives in Sebring with his wife, Brenda. They have two adult daughters.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.86 | 7.20 | 6.58 | 6.51 | 7.14 |
Comments
Olin W. Shinholser
Although appears harsh and demanding, actually is the most fair and intelligent guy on the bench; abides by the
law and what is right for your parties.
Can be a little stand-offish, difficult to read and sometimes to understand but his rulings usually make sense.
Decisions legal not always within intent of the law.
Decisive and not afraid to tell you or parties what he thinks of you.
Fair; hardworker.
Intellectual; expects high standards of preparedness from attorneys.
Judge Shinholser knows the law inside and out and applies it uniformly.
His professionalism is above reproach.
Really knows the law.
Still as rigid as ever.
Too inflexible.
Works on FL Bar activities.
Although appears harsh and demanding, actually is the most fair and intelligent guy on the bench; abides by the
law and what is right for your parties.
Can be a little stand-offish, difficult to read and sometimes to understand but his rulings usually make sense.
Decisions legal not always within intent of the law.
Decisive and not afraid to tell you or parties what he thinks of you.
Fair; hardworker.
Intellectual; expects high standards of preparedness from attorneys.
Judge Shinholser knows the law inside and out and applies it uniformly.
His professionalism is above reproach.
Really knows the law.
Still as rigid as ever.
Too inflexible.
Works on FL Bar activities.
Article
By KEVIN BOUFFARD
THE LEDGER
Comparing the comments lawyers made about Circuit Judge Olin Shinholser with his survey ratings, one might think they're talking about two different people.
With an overall rating of 6.86, he ranked 22nd among the 25 judges in the 10th Circuit, a fall of five places from 2006. But if he had averaged just 0.5 points more in the current poll, he would have jumped ahead of nine others in a tightly packed group.
Shinholser, who presides mostly over civil cases in Sebring, scored highest in legal ability with a 7.2 and lowest in written decisions with a 6.51.
Half the comments from lawyers were positive and half negative.
"Can be a little stand-offish, difficult to read and sometimes to understand, but his rulings usually make sense," said a supporter.
"Were he to get the chip off his shoulder, which he's carried since assuming the county bench, he would make a wonderful judge," a critic said.
"Although appears harsh and demanding, actually is the most fair and intelligent guy on the bench; abides by the law and what is right for your parties," said one lawyer
"Judge Shinholser knows the law inside and out and applies it uniformly. His professionalism is above reproach," said another.
Other commenters called him "too inflexible" and "still as rigid as ever."
Shinholser said he appreciates both the positive and negative remarks, but "I don't get too excited."
Shinholser said he thinks the Sebring-based judges - he and Circuit Judge Peter Estrada - tend to score lower in the survey because fewer lawyers have practiced before them and therefore don't rate them. Of the 256 lawyers surveyed, just 53 percent rated Shinholser and 44 percent Estrada.
Shinholser, 55, grew up in Jacksonville and Valdosta, Ga. He received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1974 from the University of Florida, where he received his law degree two years later.
He served as a Highlands County judge for 13 years before Gov. Jeb Bush appointed him to the circuit bench in 2002. Previously he worked as an assistant state attorney in Highlands. His current term expires in 2010.
He lives in Sebring with his wife, Brenda. They have two adult daughters.