Facing Inquiry Over His Marijuana Smoking, Broward Judge Decides to Retire

Jun 15, 07:32 AM

Current Headlines: By Tonya Alanez, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Jun. 15--Not wanting to face a possible judicial inquiry over his marijuana citation, a Broward County judge has opted to retire.

After more than 28 years as a jurist, Circuit Judge Lawrence Korda on Thursday announced his retirement.

The Family Court judge, who has been on voluntary paid leave, will formally depart from the bench July 2.

Korda, 59, declined to comment Thursday morning, although he did wave to a reporter from within his chambers.

"I think it stands to reason that if he could turn the clock back and change the two or three events of March 18 in Stanley Goldman Park, he certainly would," said Korda's attorney Mike Dutko.

On that day, Hollywood police officers saw Korda smoking a joint under a tree near a group of children. He was ticketed and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession.

Within days, the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People called for Korda's removal from the bench, saying he set "a poor example." The group filed a complaint with the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the state agency that polices judicial conduct.

"He was concerned about the overall circumstance and, at this stage in his career, whether it would be worth it to stay in office and go through some protracted JQC proceeding," Dutko said.

Brooke S. Kennerly, executive director of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, declined to comment specifically about Korda.

"If the person is no longer a judge, we would not likely pursue an investigation, she said.

Korda's marijuana case sparked national attention because it came within weeks of his brief involvement with the paternity battle over Anna Nicole Smith's daughter. It also compounded local criticism of the Broward judiciary, which was reeling from complaints of judicial racial insensitivity and Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin's attention-getting antics while presiding over the battle for Smith's remains.

Last month, Korda reached an agreement with prosecutors on the marijuana case.

The misdemeanor marijuana possession charge will be dismissed in November if Korda passes six months of random drug testing.Korda has completed 25 hours of community service with Broward Legal Aid and about 10 hours of group meetings in a drug and alcohol awareness course, as required by the agreement.

At his May 7 court date, Korda apologized for his "actions and poor judgment."

"I specifically wish to apologize to this court, as well as to my fellow judges across the state, for any embarrassment I may have caused them," he said.

Upon retirement, Korda intends to go into private family-mediation work, Dutko said.

Jack Moss, who has served with Korda for many years on the Children's Services Council of Broward County, predicted that Korda would find success as a family mediator.

"He's what I would call an original thinker," said Moss, district administrator for the Florida Department of Children & Families. "He always had fresh ideas, sometimes laced with a bit of humor. ... When families are arguing over who gets the dog and who gets the blue pot, Judge Korda will be very effective in bringing the conversation back to the needs of the children and the family."

Tonya Alanez can be reached at tealanez@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4542.

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