blah(Miami) A Miami-Dade circuit court judge who ruled Florida’s gay adoption ban is unconstitutional has been demoted.
Judge Cindy Lederman has been removed from her 15-year post as top administrative judge over Miami-Dade’s juvenile courts. The new chief justice over Miami courts says he wanted new perspectives and leadership. Lederman ruled in November 2008 that Florida’s gay adoption ban was unconstitutional, a case now on appeal. She also oversaw numerous juvenile justice programs in Miami and publicly scolded state officials in 2002 following the disappearance of 5-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson.
The new top judge in Miami’s juvenile courts is Orlando Prescott. Lederman will remain a juvenile court judge and says she respects the decision.
Judge Who Struck Down Florida's Gay Adoption Ban Stripped of Post
Judge Cindy Lederman, who ruled Florida's gay adoption ban unconstitutional last year, has been demoted, the Miami Herald reports:
"Lederman has been removed from her 15-year post as top administrative judge over Miami-Dade's juvenile courts. The new chief justice over Miami courts says he wanted new perspectives and leadership. Lederman ruled in November 2008 that Florida's gay adoption ban was unconstitutional, a case now on appeal...The new top judge in Miami's juvenile courts is Orlando Prescott. Lederman will remain a juvenile court judge and says she respects the decision."
Lederman, described as "esteemed" by the Herald, "was abruptly stripped of her job as top judge at the Children's Courthouse as the county's new chief judge moves to put his stamp on the judiciary."
In a 53-page ruling, Lederman wrote: "It is clear that sexual orientation is not a predictor of a person's ability to parent." The ruling allowed Frank Martin Gill to move forward with adopting two brothers, ages 4 and 8, who had been in Gill's foster care since 2004.
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