"The Robing Room: FL State Judges

Hon. Scott M. Bernstein	See Rating Details
Circuit Court
Miami-Dade County 11th Circuit	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 6.5 - 21 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 18 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

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What others have said about Hon. Scott M. Bernstein

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL8420
Rating:1.0

Comments:
A Judge's duty is to be a finder of fact amongst other things. Rather than utilizing testimony and evidence, it is evident through many cases that this Judge believes he is above the law and not required to follow Judicial procedure. His bias against women is evident as his support for his lawyer/experts alliances regardless of fact.

It is very sad to see such a lack of law in the "Justice" system.

Litigant

Comment #: FL8392
Rating:1.0

Comments:
From my experience and from my research, this judge is beyond biased, makes judgements without evidence and is committing child abuse from the bench. Ripping children from stable, loving homes where they are thriving and doing well. Utilizing connections to assign Guardian Ad litem to support his corruption and the collusion in an effort to damage further rather than bring families together.

Other

Comment #: FL8260
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The worst judge he needs to be removed urgent from family court this man dosen't have any knowledge of what family is he don't respect nobody in his court room He looks he have so much hate for everyone this judge destroyed my daughter life he have all the proof of her father abuse and he sign that he needs to still see her he have some kind of business with a guardian michelle garcia she is like him a bad person that just looks to destroy family charging large amount of money and dont even care of children Im so dissapointed of the family court

Litigant

Comment #: FL8138
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
For a judge to order a mother to stop paying the mortgage where kids live to pay for a dead-beat father is un-call for! He and Solangel Verde should be married, these two surly can ruin a person's life in seconds w/o any remorse.

Litigant

Comment #: FL8137
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I have no words to describe this lack of respect and sensitive person. He is a man's defender no matter if he sees a dead-beat man. He shows no compassion, no respect for minors. The worst of the worst so called judge. i will vote to have him removed.

Litigant

Comment #: FL8135
Rating:1.0

Comments:
BIASED and HATEFUL. Clearly dislikes women and favors men. He has ZERO interest in what is best for the child. He rules for what is best for the father. He is a disgrace and doesn’t deserve to be in any court, other than for being tried for his injustice that he has imparted on women and children. FAMILY COURT NEEDS TO REPLACE THIS SCOUNDREL WITH A JUST HUMAN BEING.

Litigant

Comment #: FL7650
Rating:1.0

Comments:
What is happening in this family court?!?! I don’t think Bernstein understands the concept of family. Isn’t family court supposed to bring families together not apart?! Why are all of a sudden mothers being burdened for being the mothers and not the fathers. We as women need to unite and stick together to get this biased man off the bench! Does he not come from a woman’s womb? This man has destroyed my life and my child’s life he has uprooted my child from a safe stable home and has sent him to live with his father a man who has never been present in the child’s life. This man has caused a domino effect of anxiety and depression throughout my family. This needs to STOP I will go to the media and I WILL do whatever it takes to make sure that women are treated fairly. This judge punishes mothers trough their children.

Other

Comment #: FL7649
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I am completed shocked to have ever witnessed such a bias judge in the judicial system. He must not have children and is extremely sexist is all I can say for him to rule in favor a father who not only has always been an unfit parent, negligent, abusive and has always conned his way out of supporting his kids. Not only did he not even give my attorney or I a chance to provide the years of evidence and testimonies we have on my ex but ruled in his favor! So my children’s well being means nothing. All the years my ex has been an abusive neglecting irresponsible father who has hurt my kids for years means nothing. The fact he’s never supported them means nothing. And the fact my ex is a drug addict means nothing. Didn’t even ask to hear our side or cared to hear the evidence. God forbid anything happens to my children it’s on his conscience now!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL7438
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Note that all of the good reviews are ten years old. The new ones reflect what this man has become -- an arrogant, impatient jurist without regard for law or equity.

Other

Comment #: FL7145
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Recently, I was present in Judge Bernstein's courtroom for family law case. The previous judge, GM Nabat-Frankel stated that her omission of items from the Florida Statue would have been addressed at the final hearing with Judge Bernstein. However, he did not make the necessary adjustment to the CSI and instead he opted to let $1,200 of my salary deductions be calculated as income and imposed a #1,100 IWO. When, I reminded him, he informed me that I should file an appeal.
How can a judge allows the Florida Statue to be skewed in a court of law?

Other

Comment #: FL7001
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This Judge is only operating from his ego. He is not only incompetent but I believe is sexist and shows that the patricarchy is very real ! If you are a woman he does not let you speak your voice. He contanstly shuts you down and is not fair to both sides at all.

Other

Comment #: FL6840
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Pre-decides pretty much everything. Takes the easy way (for him) out of situations. Does not care about justice. Disregards well being of children.

Other

Comment #: FL6221
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He does what he wants whenever he wants to in total disregard of the law and worse yet in total disregard of the wellbeing of the children that are placed in his care (jurisdiction).

Other

Comment #: FL6211
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge is very smart and knows the law well. Nevertheless, when he wants to name winners and losers, he pretends not to know the law. Just piss him off and you will lose your case without any regards to the observance of the rule of law. I agree that he is a disgrace to the bench.

Litigant

Comment #: FL4698
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This alleged Judge is the worst ever placed into the Family Courts System! He has forced me into bankruptcy and kept my son away from me for several years. People who are not capable of being mothers and fathers should NOT be eligible to serve in the Family Courts. There are plenty of other courts for them to serve and not be able to screw up normal families. [Redacted by Ed.]

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL3900
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Excellent judge. I have had experience with him in the juvenile justice court and in civil litigation. No judge is perfect. He is really damn good. I have been criticized and praised by him, deserving each when it occurred. He looks out for people more than lawyers, which every judge should. Make sure you are prepared, because he is a quick study, and reads in advance more than most judges do. Only a small handful of judges always read in advance and getting on their calendars takes forever. He can lose his temper when people talk over him, but that is better than losing control of your courtroom. I have seen him rule on things that I thought he should have had briefed more by the attorneys first, or he should have taken under advisement. However, he is still one of the better qualified and smarter judges in Miami.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL3614
Rating:1.0

Comments:
THIS IS THE WORST JUDGE EVER. THE COURTS SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO CALL THIS MAN A JUDGE. HE IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE LAW!

Other

Comment #: FL3613
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The worst judge ever. Scott M. Bernstein is an embarrassment to the law and the judicial system as a whole. He should not be a judge, he should not be allowed to continue to tear apart families and horrify children to convince them to stay in abusive homes. He has NO concern for the safety and/or care for anyone's child. He appears to have a psychological problem. He is the worst judge and should be removed and disbarred and disrobed.

Litigant

Comment #: FL3433
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge plays favorites with lawyers and has no concern for the interests of children and their fathers. He has violated HIPPA laws in his courtroom and has tolerated abusive and sarcastic comments by litigants and other parties in his courtroom. Someone with real balls needs to file and oppose him next election cycle.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL3378
Rating:9.1

Comments:
He is a great judge -- smart, professional, knowledgeable, fair and unbiased.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL3320
Rating:9.9

Comments:
This judge is always amazing in his scope of knowledge and his common sense.

Other

Comment #: FL3221
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I am not a lawyer, and I have been criticized because of doing the wrong thing as a pro se defendant by this judge. Nevertheless, he seems to me like a very knowledgeable judge -- and most importantly, he cares for the best interests of the children. Is he gay? That does not disqualify him as a human being. Did he make mistakes? Don’t we all make them? It seems to me that there are many losers complaining here (especially lousy lawyers). I was pro se for a while. I suffered by not knowing the law, and I was chastized by Judge Bernstein. I just have to be honest: I deserved it. I did not know what I was doing, and he was right. The plaintiff’s lawyer was getting away with things, and all because of me not knowing the law. Judge Bernstein just does not allow unscrupulous lawyers to get away with abusing the system. (This is my humble opinion.)

Other

Comment #: FL2846
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Sucks

Other

Comment #: FL2734
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This is the Judge that denied the biological father custody of his children, who were murdered on 11/13/2012, at the very hands of their stepfather. The biological father in his Petition begged him for the safety of the children as the stepfather had a long criminal record and had already committed child abuse by biting his stepdaughter (7 yrs old). This Judge is a disgrace to our legal system and has blood on his hands. To all of you that so quickly state that "he is the best we have", God have mercy on us. He should be punished and taken off the bench as quickly as possible.

Other

Comment #: FL2733
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This is the judge who with a swift slam of his gavel told a father that his fear for his daughters lives was a moot point, giving the children to their mother, who is now dead along with two beautiful little girls.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL2687
Rating:2.4

Comments:
The sign in his courtroom "be nice or leave" is ironic in light of his hostile, condescending attitude. Also ironic is his need to dominate the lawyers and be a total unnecessary hard ass when he must realize that lawyers can't say anything back, and yet if you ever see him with David he takes a quiet, subservient role. He loves to embarrass lawyers unless you happen to be an old- timer that appears to have influence and make money. Yes, he vacations often and yes, he is habitually late, but these times are actually better than when he's pontificating and insulting from the bench.

Court Staff

Comment #: FL2641
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This man is a menace. He ignores the children, panders to the crybaby parents, disrespects people who bring their own actions. He is a homosexual and has never held and comforted a scared child, how can he issue rulings in this area. This man is not qualified to deal with child matters, PERIOD. Send him to criminal court where he can abuse dirtbags who deserve his abuse.

Other

Comment #: FL2565
Rating:6.0

Comments:
Does NOT like women, in my view, and I am a man. He tolerates misconduct and disrespect of his court from men, and speaks harshly to females.
He could have charged one of the male parties with contempt at least twice, but wouldn't act. He makes comments, which, in my view, border on judicial misconduct.

Other

Comment #: FL2463
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I represented myself and thank god I didn't hire a lawyer. It would have been a waste of time. He did not allow me to speak and immediately sent off the case to guidem lightem. He sent us to a counselor which both my ex-husband and I did not know at the time we were being sent to an attorney. We informed the judge that we represented ourselves because we did not want to pay attorney fees. I witnessed cases while waiting for my case the judge was quit to shut up attorneys. He did not want to hear anyone speak out on any clients defense. I agree he is lazy and bias. I found out he is gay and I am a women. I am a great
mom. I am a stay home mom and now my ex husband seeks more custody so he doesn't have to pay child support. the children were on the same time schedule for years . I am desperate to change my judge. I am afraid that he will side with him because he is a good looking man.

Other

Comment #: FL2383
Rating:7.0

Comments:
Smart but is more menstral than a woman at her worst. He needs to control his temper and queen episodes. He tells other attorneys to not be unprofesional but needs to take a look at his own conduct.

Litigant

Comment #: FL2243
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Horrible. Unfair, Biased. Lazy beyond belief. Dumb.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL2134
Rating:5.6

Comments:
This judge started off well and went totally downhill.He is smart and used to write his own orders. Now almost impossilbe to get any orders out of him. Keeps lawyers waiting unitl he decides to show up. Always out of town or going out of town on vacation. No longer much pretense of trying.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL2080
Rating:1.1

Comments:
The very worst of the worst, in nearly every respect.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL2025
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Lazy, like the other reviewer stated. Always late starting a hearing and cuts you off denying the time your hearing is set for. Difficult to schedule hearings with his office.

Favors attorneys who are before him and are known. If you are a newbee lawyer good luck as you may be at a disadvantage.

I was a newbee lawyer before him and the opposing side refused to produce discovery in a family case. The ex parte motion and order for discovery were ignored by Judge Bernstein. Judge Bernstein winking to the other lawyer said can you please give it to them without imposing a deadline.

Why is this guy a judge? He is not dispensing justice.

When you are trying to move your case along and need the court's intervention where is Judge Bernstein to do his job?

Another one that needs to be removed from the bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL1787
Rating:3.3

Comments:
Reasonably bright, but L-A-Z-Y with a capital L. Starts hearings, doesn't finish, refuses to work late, then says his calendar is full and the hearing can't resume/conclude for 3 months! Some hearings drag on for 9 months or more. All because he refuses to work late to finish what he started. Regardless of his desire to rush home to have dinner with his boyfriend, former judge and TV non-celebrity David Young, Judge Bernstein must become more industrious. It is not proper to cancel a long-standing calendar just to leave early for Key West Fantasy Fest.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL1656
Rating:9.8

Comments:
Excellent in all respects. A gentleman and a scholar.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL1655
Rating:10.0

Comments:
One of the best. Truly born for the bench. If only there were more like him. Sadly, one of the few truly intelligent judges in Dade County.

Other

Comment #: FL1480
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Bernstein cares! There are not too many judges that I have seen over the years about whom I can say that.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL1231
Rating:9.6

Comments:
One of our best and brightest. We're lucky to have him on the bench. A hardworking and dedicated judge.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: FL1207
Rating:9.6

Comments:
Smartest judge in Miami-Dade.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL327
Rating:9.6

Comments:
Intellectually inclined and interested in his cases. Tries hard to do the right thing.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: FL326
Rating:9.6

Comments:
Very capable and very fair.