As time passes, memories tend to come and go. I am not sure why I never included the story “Stop the Damn Car!!” in my two previous books. I think it is a good story. Well, I rectified that, and it is now part of chapter 16. I think it fits in this book quite nicely. This is where Judge Rasmussen comes into play. He was a very stern judge in Pasco County, known for his harsh judgments against drunk drivers. I tried to find information about the details of the incident involving his daughter and the drunk driver. I was not successful in finding out any specifics. All I was able to find was an archived article in the Tampa Bay Times, entitled “Judge Rasmussen may be tough, but he is fair.”
Since he played a significant part in a vital part of my life, I think he deserves a place in my book. The article was published on August 16, 1990. I have included part of the article as a tribute to his career and his actions.
Joseph D. had to appear before Judge Rasmussen several years ago. Joseph opted to represent himself in a civil litigation matter against a former employer. He was warned by friends that Judge Rasmussen was the county’s “hanging judge,” but he didn’t let that stop him. People had warned him that he was tough, which made him wonder as to the validity of the previous story on Pasco County judges. Harsh judges who are prosecution-oriented often receive negative press. The reputation of being a harsh judge is one that most law-abiding citizens should be grateful for..
In his case before Judge Rasmussen, the defendant was an area corporation with more “clout” than Joseph. A prominent lawyer represented them. The case lasted for several hours. A representative of the corporation that Joseph was suing testified for the claimant. As he served his counsel, he was allowed every courtesy afforded the defendant’s counsel. He was treated with respect and dignity. He, however, was reprimanded several times by the judge. However, these rebukes were not overly severe and were geared to attaining a fair conclusion. Joseph had several thoughts after the case was concluded: “I had wanted my day in court and the right to present my case. I had been a witness to justice in action and as a direct participant, which most people seldom have to do. I had been afforded every opportunity to question and testify, and win or lose, justice would be served.”
In the end, the verdict was in Joseph’s favor. The little guy had won, and in doing so had beaten a good practicing lawyer before the toughest judge in Pasco County. It was a verdict and a vindication. The system had worked. Joseph had often wanted to thank Judge Rasmussen for the way he was treated. He was treated with respect and dignity. In some ways, Joseph wished he had lost the case; then the sincerity of the letter would not be questioned by the editorial bureau of the Tampa Bay Times. Joseph appeared before this judge as a pro se litigant and was impressed with his integrity. When lawyers question a judge’s integrity, the attorney is often viewed with suspicion, rather than the judge. He had not met Judge Rasmussen before or since this instance. Still, if he had the chance to look him in the face today, he would say, “Forget what the attorneys say, judge, the people of Pasco County appreciate what you do, and law-abiding people throughout this country applaud tough judges.”