Pubdate: Tue, 08 May 2007
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2007 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Jon Burstein, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

BROWARD JUDGE SORRY, CUTS DEAL IN POT CASE

A Broward County judge apologized in court Monday for smoking
marijuana in a Hollywood park, cutting a deal on his misdemeanor drug
case but leaving his judicial career in jeopardy.

Circuit Judge Lawrence Korda soon could face tough questions from the
state's judicial watchdog agency -- ranging from where he got the
marijuana to how often he has used the illegal drug. The Judicial
Qualifications Commission could recommend that the Florida Supreme
Court remove the veteran judge from the bench.

The agreement Korda reached with prosecutors should make Monday his
first -- and last -- court appearance as a criminal defendant. Korda's
case gained national attention because it came just three weeks after
he briefly handled part of the paternity battle over Anna Nicole
Smith's daughter.

The misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge will be dismissed
against Korda in November if he stays clean during six months of
random drug testing and performs 25 hours of community service. He
already finished a drug and alcohol awareness course that was part of
the agreement reached with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office,
which Gov. Charlie Crist specially assigned to prosecute the case.

If Korda fails a drug test, he will have to face the charge and
possible jail time.

Korda's deal is typical for a first-time offender accused of marijuana
possession, according to local defense attorneys. It is called a
deferred prosecution agreement with the judge making no findings and
the case being resolved without a formal plea.

A judge for 28 1/2 years, Korda apologized to his colleagues across
the state for any embarrassment he caused the judiciary.

Three police officers said they caught Korda smoking a marijuana
cigarette under a tree. Korda was ticketed, only disclosing he was a
judge when asked his profession, according to Hollywood police.

Korda, 59, left the North Regional Courthouse in Deerfield Beach
followed by five parents angry with his rulings as a family court
judge. They yelled that he should be going to jail and kicked off the
bench. Korda didn't acknowledge the parents.

Korda said he would remain on a voluntary leave of absence until the
commission reviews his conduct. It is a paid leave.

Palm Beach County Court Judge Nelson Bailey, who was assigned to
handle Korda's criminal case, had no problem with the deal.
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