Peter Estrada
Peter Estrada
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Peter F. Estrada ranked last this year among 28 circuit judges, according to results of The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers.
That's lower than during the last survey in 2008, when he ranked 18th out of 25 circuit judges. His overall rating back then was 7.13 out of 10.
This year, his overall rating dropped to 6.37.
His strongest individual category was professional conduct, with a rating of 6.75. His lowest was written decisions, with a rating of 6.10.
Some lawyers described Estrada as a firm jurist.
"A good person," one wrote. "A judge who is tough on crime."
Another wrote Estrada is dedicated to helping with many local youth programs, including Teen Court, a diversion program where teenage suspects accused of certain misdemeanors can be tried and sentenced by their peers.
Estrada's temperament became the focus of about a dozen anonymous comments.
They ranged from calling him "passionate" to accusing him of having "a bad temper" and behaving like a "hothead" and a "bully."
"Overtime, Judge Estrada will grow into the job," one wrote. "Sometimes overly emotional. Needs to be judicial."
Estrada said he didn't know what to think about the results of the survey, but he does consider feedback.
"I have to take that for what it is worth," he said.
He said he encourages an open-door policy in his courtroom and hasn't heard such concerns from lawyers who routinely appear before him.
He said some of those lawyers told him they didn't fill out the survey this year.
"I love coming into work," Estrada said. "This is what I love to do. I'm willing to work even harder."
Estrada earned his law degree from the South Texas College of Law in 1988.
He served as an assistant state attorney in the 10th Judicial Circuit for about 14 years.
He became a Highlands County judge in 2002 and was appointed to the circuit bench in 2005 by Gov. Jeb Bush.
Estrada, 48, and his wife live in Sebring with their daughter.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.37 | 6.30 | 6.30 | 6.10 | 6.75 |
Comments
Often shows unjudicial behavior, for which he should be called to task. His recurrent emotionality and irrationality make a mockery of the judicial process. A hothead.
Holds grudge.
Our Teen Court program and so many other local programs that support our youth are better off thanks to the dedication of Judge Estrada.
No compassion; sentences are outrageous; bad temper.
Passionate.
Overwrought with emotionalism.
Behaves like a school yard bully.
Common touch. A little rigid but good practical judgment.
So biased toward prosecutors, makes due process a joke.
Cocky. Known him for 20 years. He's still lazy and cuts corners.
More pro-state than prosecutors. Polite and professional.
Judge Estrada is a bully who lords his power over those who appear in front of him. He cites to cases that do not exist and belittles an attorney who dares argue with him.
Solid performance, but needs to move his docket faster.
Temperament issues.
Over time Judge Estrada will grow into the job. Sometimes overly emotional. Needs to be judicial.
Great courtroom presence.
Napoleonic. Egotistical. Not nearly as smart as he thinks he is.
Yells at attorneys and defendants.
A good person. A judge who is tough on crime.
Rude, irrationally fearful of appeals.
Improving.
Needs to take classes on professionalism.
Bully, shows little respect.
Needs help.
A mistake.
Holds grudge.
Our Teen Court program and so many other local programs that support our youth are better off thanks to the dedication of Judge Estrada.
No compassion; sentences are outrageous; bad temper.
Passionate.
Overwrought with emotionalism.
Behaves like a school yard bully.
Common touch. A little rigid but good practical judgment.
So biased toward prosecutors, makes due process a joke.
Cocky. Known him for 20 years. He's still lazy and cuts corners.
More pro-state than prosecutors. Polite and professional.
Judge Estrada is a bully who lords his power over those who appear in front of him. He cites to cases that do not exist and belittles an attorney who dares argue with him.
Solid performance, but needs to move his docket faster.
Temperament issues.
Over time Judge Estrada will grow into the job. Sometimes overly emotional. Needs to be judicial.
Great courtroom presence.
Napoleonic. Egotistical. Not nearly as smart as he thinks he is.
Yells at attorneys and defendants.
A good person. A judge who is tough on crime.
Rude, irrationally fearful of appeals.
Improving.
Needs to take classes on professionalism.
Bully, shows little respect.
Needs help.
A mistake.
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Peter F. Estrada ranked last this year among 28 circuit judges, according to results of The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers.
That's lower than during the last survey in 2008, when he ranked 18th out of 25 circuit judges. His overall rating back then was 7.13 out of 10.
This year, his overall rating dropped to 6.37.
His strongest individual category was professional conduct, with a rating of 6.75. His lowest was written decisions, with a rating of 6.10.
Some lawyers described Estrada as a firm jurist.
"A good person," one wrote. "A judge who is tough on crime."
Another wrote Estrada is dedicated to helping with many local youth programs, including Teen Court, a diversion program where teenage suspects accused of certain misdemeanors can be tried and sentenced by their peers.
Estrada's temperament became the focus of about a dozen anonymous comments.
They ranged from calling him "passionate" to accusing him of having "a bad temper" and behaving like a "hothead" and a "bully."
"Overtime, Judge Estrada will grow into the job," one wrote. "Sometimes overly emotional. Needs to be judicial."
Estrada said he didn't know what to think about the results of the survey, but he does consider feedback.
"I have to take that for what it is worth," he said.
He said he encourages an open-door policy in his courtroom and hasn't heard such concerns from lawyers who routinely appear before him.
He said some of those lawyers told him they didn't fill out the survey this year.
"I love coming into work," Estrada said. "This is what I love to do. I'm willing to work even harder."
Estrada earned his law degree from the South Texas College of Law in 1988.
He served as an assistant state attorney in the 10th Judicial Circuit for about 14 years.
He became a Highlands County judge in 2002 and was appointed to the circuit bench in 2005 by Gov. Jeb Bush.
Estrada, 48, and his wife live in Sebring with their daughter.
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By KEVIN BOUFFARD
The Ledger
Peter Estrada ranked 18th among 25 circuit judges, one place higher than the 2006 poll.
Estrada's overall score was 7.13, with his highest ranking, 7.5, in the category of professional conduct and his lowest, a 6.81, in written decisions.
Former Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Estrada to the circuit bench in November 2005 after he served nearly three years as a Highlands County judge and 14 years as an assistant state attorney in that county. He presides mostly on criminal cases in Sebring.
A child of Cuban immigrants, he was the first Hispanic judge in the circuit.
Several lawyers commented on Estrada's inexperience, and some gave him credit for growing on the job.
"Has become a well rounded judge, though he lacks experience outside the criminal-law realm," said one.
"That's true, but I'm learning," Estrada said.
The other consistent comment was that Estrada's rulings favor prosecutors.
"Still thinks like a prosecutor," said one. "Too state-oriented," said another, while another said Estrada's rulings are "sometimes harsh but legal and well reasoned."
But one lawyer said, "The judge is all too willing to bend over backward to make life easy on dangerous criminals."
Some lawyers remarked about his showing emotion from the bench.
"Overly emotional, unprofessional and loses temper frequently," said one. "Has improved with experience, still a little hyper," said another.
Estrada acknowledged he'll sometimes show emotion on the bench, but when it comes to making a judgment, it's strictly by the books.
"I just try to apply the law, and I do the best I can," Estrada said.
Estrada, 46, grew up in Tampa and received his bachelor's degree in history in 1983 from the University of South Florida. He received his law degree from the South Texas College of Law in 1988. He is up for election this year.
Estrada lives in Sebring with his wife and 10-year-old daughter.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.13 | 6.97 | 7.22 | 6.81 | 7.50 |
Comments
Peter Estrada
Decisions sometimes harsh, but legal and well reasoned.
Great guy; very visible in Lakeland.
Hard working.
Has become a well-rounded judge, though he lacks experience outside the criminal law realm.
Has improved with experience, still a little hyper.
He is very professional and personable, but on occasion has been known to interpret the law in a manner to
reach the result he feels is correct, rather than the other way around.
Is rude to defendants and observers.
Overly emotional, unprofessional and loses temper frequently.
Professional, patient, consistent.
Pro-state; very courteous to attorneys.
Still thinks like a prosecutor.
The judge is all too willing to bend over backwards to make life easy on dangerous criminals.
Too state oriented.
Unfortunately has a temper; relies on his criminal background which does not translate well into civil law.
Decisions sometimes harsh, but legal and well reasoned.
Great guy; very visible in Lakeland.
Hard working.
Has become a well-rounded judge, though he lacks experience outside the criminal law realm.
Has improved with experience, still a little hyper.
He is very professional and personable, but on occasion has been known to interpret the law in a manner to
reach the result he feels is correct, rather than the other way around.
Is rude to defendants and observers.
Overly emotional, unprofessional and loses temper frequently.
Professional, patient, consistent.
Pro-state; very courteous to attorneys.
Still thinks like a prosecutor.
The judge is all too willing to bend over backwards to make life easy on dangerous criminals.
Too state oriented.
Unfortunately has a temper; relies on his criminal background which does not translate well into civil law.
Article
By KEVIN BOUFFARD
The Ledger
Peter Estrada ranked 18th among 25 circuit judges, one place higher than the 2006 poll.
Estrada's overall score was 7.13, with his highest ranking, 7.5, in the category of professional conduct and his lowest, a 6.81, in written decisions.
Former Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Estrada to the circuit bench in November 2005 after he served nearly three years as a Highlands County judge and 14 years as an assistant state attorney in that county. He presides mostly on criminal cases in Sebring.
A child of Cuban immigrants, he was the first Hispanic judge in the circuit.
Several lawyers commented on Estrada's inexperience, and some gave him credit for growing on the job.
"Has become a well rounded judge, though he lacks experience outside the criminal-law realm," said one.
"That's true, but I'm learning," Estrada said.
The other consistent comment was that Estrada's rulings favor prosecutors.
"Still thinks like a prosecutor," said one. "Too state-oriented," said another, while another said Estrada's rulings are "sometimes harsh but legal and well reasoned."
But one lawyer said, "The judge is all too willing to bend over backward to make life easy on dangerous criminals."
Some lawyers remarked about his showing emotion from the bench.
"Overly emotional, unprofessional and loses temper frequently," said one. "Has improved with experience, still a little hyper," said another.
Estrada acknowledged he'll sometimes show emotion on the bench, but when it comes to making a judgment, it's strictly by the books.
"I just try to apply the law, and I do the best I can," Estrada said.
Estrada, 46, grew up in Tampa and received his bachelor's degree in history in 1983 from the University of South Florida. He received his law degree from the South Texas College of Law in 1988. He is up for election this year.
Estrada lives in Sebring with his wife and 10-year-old daughter.