A-1
INDEX
Oral History of the Honorable Ricardo Urbina
AAU track meets, 70, 74
adoption cases, 134, 164
Afghanistan, 214
African Americans, 23, 47
Catholic Church discrimination suit, 95–98
Civil Rights Movement, 69–70
Congressional Black Caucus, 195–96
criminal cases, 106, 116–19
D.C. demographics, 89
D.C. riots and unrest, 81, 115
Espy prosecution, 222, 223–24, 236
Georgetown athletes, 44–45
Georgetown Law Center students, 70
Howard Law School curriculum, 106–7
Latino mixed ancestry, 6, 7–8, 195
lawyers, 89, 122, 195
legal organizations, 195
police hostility toward, 99, 117, 118–19
unbalanced prosecution of, 152–53
Agriculture Department, U.S., 203, 221, 222, 224, 236
AIDS, 142
Akin, Gump (law firm), 195
Alexandria (Va.), 216
Alprin, Geoffrey, 181–82
American dream, 14–15, 20
appellate system
circuits, 198, 202, 264
judicial collegiality, 239, 241
reversals of lower court rulings, 237–38
and Superior Court vs. federal law issues, 264
See also District of Columbia Court of Appeals; Supreme Court, U.S.; U.S. Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Arawak (people), 7
Article I vs. Article III judges, 216
Assistant U.S. Attorney, 90, 105, 248
Attorney General’s Office (D.C.), 232
Babcock, Barbara, 89
Bailey, F. Lee, 83
A-2
bar exam, 79–80, 84, 86
bar fight case, 144–46
basketball, 33, 35, 44
bench conferences, 239
Benedek, Steve, 43–44
Benedict, Brother, 32
Big East track championship, 55
bilingualism, 6
Bishop Laughlin High School, 34
Black Bar, 195
Black Caucus, 195–96
Black Panthers, 116–19
Blackwater case, 249–53, 265
Braman, Leonard, 80, 88
Brazil, 7
Brennan, William, 143
Brennan Award, 235–36, 252
bribery kickback cases, 158–59
Brothers of the Sacred Heart, 34
Brundage, Avery, 74
Bryant, William B., 78, 79
Buchanan, Avis, 111
Burgess, A. Franklin, Jr., 137
Bush, George. H. W., 185, 187, 230, 241
Bush, George W., 222
Cantor, Edwin, 76
Cardozo, Benjamin, 107, 108
Carib (people), 7
Carroll, Noel, 67, 74
Carter, Jimmy, 122, 124
Catholic Church, 22–23
racial discrimination suit against, 95–98
Catholic High School Association, 40–41, 42–43
Catholic schools
colleges, 44
high schools, 34–41, 45, 51, 95–98
quality of teaching, 22–26, 32–34
track competition, 40–41, 42–43
Catholic Youth Association, 32–33
Chernoff, Paul, 80–81
children
abuse and neglect cases, 164, 177
custody cases, 134, 168, 169–70
impact of early-years experience on, 259–61
molestation cases, 136, 139–44, 228
A-3
murder victims, 143, 144, 151–52
support cases, 132–33, 134, 135, 164, 166–68, 258–59
testimony by, 141, 142–43
See also juvenile justice system
Child Support Guidelines Committee, 132–33, 135, 166–68, 258–59
determination of support amount, 259
Chiminade High School, 41
Christian Brothers, 23, 31–32
CIA, 212, 251
circuit court system, 194, 202, 264
circumstantial evidence, 184
City Council (D.C.), 167, 168, 259
Civil Division (D.C. Superior Court), 139, 155–56
civil law, 110–11
damages awards, 99, 149–51
federal court, 202, 241, 244
Guantanamo Bay cases, 209–10
incivility of lawyers, 233
legal representation, 155–56, 258
pro se representation, 257, 258
Civil Rights Movement, 69–70
CJA attorneys, 104, 137–38, 248
classified material, 207, 213, 214–15, 242
Clinton, Bill, 185, 187
Cohen, Sherman, 83–84
Cold War, 37–38
Collyer, Rosemary M., 239
common law, 110–11, 201–2
Community Defense Organization, 84
Congress, U.S., 265
Black and Hispanic Caucuses, 195–96
Guantanamo Bay cases, 205, 210, 217
See also Senate, U.S.
Constitution, U.S.
adherence to, 235, 236, 252
and diverse backgrounds, 256
rights guarantees, 205, 209, 217, 237, 258
contracts, 110–11
Corona (Queens, N.Y.), 23
Court of General Sessions. See Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Courts of Appeals. See appellate system; District of Columbia Court of Appeals; U.S.
Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Crabb, Professor (Georgetown Law Center), 76–77
crack cocaine cases, 152, 187–88, 230, 241, 260
Criminal Division (D.C. Superior Court), 131, 133, 134, 135–36, 155–59, 229, 232
child molestation cases, 139–44
A-4
Criminal Justice Act. See CJA attorneys
criminal law, 80, 83, 91, 93, 103
African American defendants, 106, 116–19
appellate court reversals, 237–38
crack cocaine cases, 152, 187–88, 230, 241, 260
defendant’s rights, 140, 141
evidence suppression, 142, 143–44, 147
federal jurisdiction, 77–78, 183–85, 202, 230, 241, 244
individual rights, 70
judicial intervention, 153–54
law school courses, 101–7
lawyer civility, 233
sentencing, 156–63, 188–89
speedy trial rules, 188
terrorist trials, 217
white collar crime, 158–59
cross-country running, 40, 55–56, 59
custody cases, 134, 168, 169–70
child support guidelines, 132–33, 135, 166–68, 258–59
damages, 99, 149–51
Dash, Samuel, 75–76
D.C. See District of Columbia
D.C. Court of Appeals. See District of Columbia Court of Appeals
D.C. District Court. See U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
D.C. Nominations Commission for the Superior Court and D.C. Court of Appeals, 186
D.C. Superior Court. See Superior Court of the District of Columbia
“Decent Christian Burial” case, 143–44
defendant’s remorse, 145–46
defendant’s rights, 140, 141
Defense Department, U.S., 212, 249–50, 251
Democratic Party, 195
depositions, 233
Depression (1930s), 10, 14
deterrence, 156, 157, 159
diGenova, Joe, 83
discrimination, 7, 15, 17, 18, 256, 257
New York Athletic Club, 71–75
suit against Catholic Church, 95–98
Title VII cases, 97–98
District Court for the District of Columbia. See U.S. District Court for the District of
Columbia
District of Columbia, 172, 173
archdiocese, 97
child support guidelines, 132, 133, 166–67, 168, 258–59
City Council, 167, 168, 259
A-5
court system, 137, 193–94
demographics, 89
divorce bar, 168–69
Hispanic Month, 171
jury system, 179–80
juvenile detention facilities, 134–35, 192
Office of the Attorney General, 232
population, 180
racial unrest, 81, 115, 116–19
racism, 17–18, 256
as source of Superior Court cases, 201–2
See also Public Defender Service
District of Columbia Bar, 195
District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 167, 186, 259
District of Columbia Superior Court. See Superior Court of the District of Columbia
diversity, 255
divorce cases, 134, 168–69
See also custody cases
domestic relations cases, 134, 165, 168–69, 196–97
Dowdy, Landon, 117–19
drug cases, 152, 161, 187–88, 230, 241
juvenile involvement, 260
murder of federal informant, 184–85
search warrant, 78–79
sentencing guidelines, 188
Duncan, Charles, 121–22
duties, inherent, 109, 110
English language, 2, 6
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), 202–4
Espy, Michael, 221–28, 236
indictment critique, 225–26
evidence, 105, 131, 141, 239
Blackwater indictment, 250–51
circumstantial, 184
Guantanamo Bay issues, 206, 207–8, 209
jury’s reasonable conclusion, 148
suppression of, 79, 142, 143–44, 147
Family Division (D.C. Superior Court), 86, 128–34, 139–42, 154, 175–78
types of cases, 132–34, 140–41, 164–70, 196–97
See also juvenile justice system
FBI, 189, 198, 212, 217
federal court system, 193–94, 215
Article I vs. Article III judges, 216
trial length, 228–29
A-6
variety of cases, 263–64
See also U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; U.S. District
Court for the District of Columbia
Federal Elections Commission, 240
Federal Judicial Nominating Commission, 186, 187
federal prosecutors, 90
federal public defender, 111, 248
felonies, 165
Fielding, Fred, 123–24
Florida developers case, 202–4
Fourth Amendment, 256
Francis, Brother, 31–32, 33
gangs, 161–62
Gardner, Bill, 122
Georgetown (D.C.), 78–79, 256
Georgetown Law Center, 50, 53, 63–70, 73, 75–79, 80–84, 86, 196
bar review course, 83–84
competitiveness, 67
criminal law and procedure courses, 101, 103–4, 106
first-year courses, 67, 68
and Howard Law School curriculum, 106
Masters degree in trial advocacy, 107
minority students, 67, 70
Prettyman Intern Program, 106–7
professors, 75–76
Socratic method, 67–68, 76–77, 108
Georgetown University, 43–45, 48–69, 75, 256
first student athlete of color, 44
scholarships, 44, 55, 65
track program, 43–44, 54, 55–60, 73–74
George Washington University Law School, 236
“The American Jury” course, 94–95, 111, 152–53, 223, 247
Masters in Trial Advocacy, 111
Gesell, Gerhard, 95, 96–97
Gordon, Richard, 63–64
Green, Tom, 156
Greenberg, Stuart, 76
Greene, Harold, 266
Greene, Henry, 124
Guantanamo Bay cases, 204–18, 221, 236
delays, 242
detainees’ interpreters, 211–12
detention legality, 210
and federal courts, 215
habeas corpus petition, 209–10, 212, 215, 216
A-7
legal representation, 210–11, 213
unique procedural and evidentiary issues, 204–9, 213–14
videoconference use, 209
Hamas, 219
Hamilton, Ian, 56, 74
Hamilton & Hamilton, 97
Harris, Stan, 82
Harvard University, 44
Hispanics. See Latinos
HIV, 142
Hogan, Thomas F., 204, 205, 208, 212, 230
Hogan & Hartson, 63, 64–65, 69, 82
homicide. See murder cases
Honduras, 1, 2, 4–9, 22, 33, 122
Hot Shoppes (restaurant chain), 59–60
Howard Law School, 66, 91, 93, 95–96, 98, 101–11, 119–20, 196
contracts course, 110
criminal law and procedure program, 101–4
curriculum development, 106–7
and public service, 83
torts course, 107–9
incapacitation, 156, 157
independent counsel. See special prosecutor
indigenous people, 7
individual rights, 70
informants, 183–85
Interior Department, U.S., 202
intoxication, 144–46
Iran, 214, 218–20
Iran-Contra, 251
Iraq, 249, 251–52
Irish Americans, 35
Israel, bombing victims, 218–20
Italian Americans, 35
Jackson, Thomas Penfield, 230
Jackson Heights (Queens, N.Y.), 14
Jerry M. case, 134, 135, 166, 192–93
Jesuits, 2, 22, 34–35
Jews, 71
Jones, William B., 78
judges
“activist,” 110, 192–93
and administrative demands, 241–46
A-8
and appellate reversals, 237–38
Article I and Article III, 216
bench conference, 239
Brennan Award, 235–36, 252
collegiality, 176, 239, 241
community relations, 179
compartmentalization, 253–54
conscientiousness, 177–78
election of, 163–64
exchange of views, 255–56
exposure to human drama, 146–47
federal bench advantages, 263–65
interaction with jury, 148–50, 179–83, 226–27, 228
intervention by, 153–54
jury service by, 181–83
lifetime appointment, 162, 164, 215, 216
making law, 110–11, 192–93
neutrality, 147–48
nomination/confirmation process, 93, 121–26, 137, 177, 192, 195, 196–98.
and nonjury trials, 95–96
summary judgment motion, 231–32
terrorism cases, 215–16, 218
training school, 127
See also sentencing; specific courts
Judicial Nomination Commission, 122, 133, 189, 190, 198
Jungle, The (Sinclair), 225
jury, 91–96, 178–83, 239
acquittals, 92, 115
attitude change, 98–99
courage of, 149,151, 152
courtroom reactions, 247
damages calculation, 149–51
decision making, 149–53
Espy case, 223–24, 236
evidence assessment, 148
intelligence of, 95, 148–49
interaction with judge, 148–50, 179–81, 226–27, 228
judge as member of, 181–83
law school class on, 94–95, 105, 111, 152–53, 223, 247
and long trials, 228, 229
persuasion of, 77, 94, 111–12, 120
protection of, 226
and Public Defender Service, 86, 88, 91–92, 98–99, 164–65
reasonable doubt articulation, 95
selection of, 119, 182–83, 183
trust of, 98–100, 112, 115
A-9
view of lawyers, 93, 98–100, 247
jury nullification, 152–53
Justice Department, U.S., 192, 195, 198, 232, 248, 250, 251
juvenile justice system, 86–88, 92, 129–30, 130–35, 138, 158, 228
and delinquency factors, 250–60
detention facilities, 134–35, 166, 193
and judge’s personal involvement, 177–78
and jury trials, 86, 92, 165
legal representation, 137
prosecution as adult, 130
reforms, 131, 132
sentencing, 161–62
juveniles. See children
juvenile testimony, 141, 142–43
Kavanaugh, Brett M., 239, 240
Kellogg, Phillip, 117, 119
Kennedy, Henry, 52, 162–63, 176, 178, 199, 237
Kessler, Gladys, 131, 132, 134, 165–66, 178, 199, 258
King, Martin Luther, Jr., assassination, 81, 115
King, Rufus, 135, 167
Known World, The (book), 8
Kolar-Kotelly, Colleen, 178, 199
Korean War, 11, 12–13, 48
Kramer, A. J., 111
La Ceiba (Honduras), 2
Laden, Osama bin, 208
Lambeth, Royce C., 188, 204, 230, 254
Latinos, 15, 35, 47, 50, 70, 71, 122
African mixed ancestry, 6, 7–8, 195
District of Columbia Hispanic Month, 171
District of Columbia judicial system, 178–79, 254–55
judicial appointment, 122, 126, 195–96
lawyers, 195
and racism, 17–18
law clerks, 195, 214, 233
and supervision of interns, 244–45
U.S. District Court, 89
writing skills, 51–52
lawyers
African American, 89, 122
case acceptance, 243
and child support reform, 133
civil cases, 155–56, 258
civility, 232–33
A-10
compartmentalization, 253–54
and Criminal Justice Act, 104, 137–38, 248
depositions, 233
divorce specialty, 168–69
Espy defense, 224
Guantanamo Bay volunteer representation, 210–12, 213
and judges, 95–96
and juries, 94–95, 98–100, 111–12, 148, 247
Latino, 195
preparation and organization, 247–48
and pro se individuals, 257–58
summary judgments, 230–32
and Superior Court, 137–38, 232–33, 238–39
and U.S. District Court, 232, 243–44
See also Public Defender Service
Leibowitz, Samuel, 154
Levy, Judge (D.C. Superior Court), 135
Libby, Howard, 91
Lipski, Frank, 71–72
LSAT (Law School Aptitude Test), 50, 65–66
Machen, Ron, 111
Madison Square Garden track competitions, 40–41, 42–43, 57, 60
Malofsky (lawyer), 118
mandatory sentencing guidelines, 160–61, 188–89, 194–95, 265–66
unconstitutionality, 160, 189, 266
Manhattan (N.Y.), 10, 18
marijuana, 78–79
Mathias, Charles “Mac,” 122, 125
Maya (people), 7
Maynard, Bob, 65, 69
McDermott, Jim, 71, 77
McDonald’s hot coffee case, 150–51
medical profession, 150
malpractice, 156
Melrose Games, 73
military commissions, 217–18
military tribunals, 205
minorities, 67, 70, 71
Public Defender Service lawyers, 84, 89, 90
See also African Americans; Latinos
minors. See children; juvenile justice system
misdemeanor cases, 86, 87, 105
Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School, 34–38
academic demands, 36, 45, 51
dress code, 37
A-11
Montgomery County (Md.), 96, 173, 179
Morrison, Tim, 137
Mott, John M., 111, 182, 183, 247
Moultrie, Carl, 136, 137
murder cases, 80–81, 87–88, 115–16, 136, 229
child molestation, 143, 144
federal confidential informant, 183–85
gang-related, 161–62
infant victim, 151–52
National Bar Association, 195
National Foundation for Motorcycle Safety, 173–74
National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), 85, 235
National Judicial Council, 179
National Law Journal, 237
national security, 207, 213, 214, 215–16, 217, 218. 242
NCAA running championship, 56, 57
New York Athletic Club, 18, 61–62, 70–75
New York City, 1, 10–11, 17, 18
child support, 132
public schools, 18–19
Puerto Rican community, 10, 11, 14, 15
terrorist trials, 216–17
See also Queens
New York Times, 71–72
9/11 terrorist cases, 208, 216
Norton, Eleanor Holmes, 185, 186, 187, 189–90, 191, 199
Notre Dame University, 44
Office of Corporation Counsel, 136
Olympic Games (Germany, 1936), 74
Olympic Games (Mexico, 1968), 53
Olympic trials, 53–55, 60–64, 75
club sponsorship, 70–75
Owens, Jesse, 74
parental rights, termination of, 134, 164
parochial schools. See Catholic schools
Patrick, David, 73, 74
PDS. See Public Defender Service
personal injury cases, 155, 156
damages awards, 99, 149–51
Philadelphia Pioneers Club, 72
Poindexter, John, 151
police behavior, 99, 117, 118–19, 256
improper criminal procedure, 140, 141, 143
A-12
Polish Americans, 35
politics
election campaign contributions by non-citizens, 240
and election of judges, 163–64
and Espy indictment, 223
and judicial appointments, 123, 195, 196
Pratt, John H., 78
Presidency. See White House
preventive detention, 229
pro se individuals, 256–58
Pryor, William H., 185
Public Defender Service, 80–83, 84–94, 101, 111, 137, 165
caseload, 85–86, 248–49
jury experience, 86, 87, 88, 91–92, 98–99, 164–65
juvenile cases, 86–87, 130, 134–35, 164, 193
law student investigators, 69, 77, 78, 80–81, 85–86
minority lawyers, 84, 89, 90
number of lawyers, 84
quality of lawyers, 138, 141
superior reputation, 89–90
training program, 85
Puerto Rico, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9–10, 15, 16, 23, 47, 122
punishment. See sentencing
Queens (N.Y.), 10, 14, 18, 19–23
Catholic high school, 34–38, 45, 51
suburban atmosphere, 21
race, 7–8, 9–10, 23, 47
See also African Americans; discrimination
racism, 17–18, 45
Rankin, Edwin, 173
rape cases, 136, 229
Reagan, Nancy, 123
Reagan, Ronald, 122–27, 177
reasonable doubt, 95
Reed, Herb, 96
Regents Exams, 36
rehabilitation, 156, 157, 158
repeat offenders, 156–57
Republican Party, 123, 195, 196
retribution, 156, 157
Richey, Charles “Chuck,” 123, 243
rights, 70, 109, 205, 209, 217, 237, 258
of defendant, 140, 141
Roatan (Honduras), 2, 4–5, 7–9
A-13
Roberts, Ricky, 199
Robinson, Aubrey, 230
running. See track and field
St. John’s College High School, 2
Saltzburg, Stephen, 236
Schumaker, Mr. (public school principal), 18
Schwartz, Larry, 84–85
search warrant, 78–79, 140, 141
Senate, U.S.
Governmental Affairs Committee, 122, 125–26
Judiciary Committee, 192, 193, 195, 196–98
sentencing, 156–63, 188–90
categories of relevant information, 156–58, 159, 160
controversial, 162–63
mandatory guidelines, 160–61, 188–89, 194–95, 265–66
and retribution, 156, 157
Seton Hall University, 57
sexual abuse, 140
Simpson, Alan, 196–98
Socratic method, 67–68, 76–77, 108
sodomy, 140, 142
Spain, 6
Spanish Harlem, 10, 11
Spanish language, 2, 5–6, 16, 19–20, 47, 50–51
Spanish literature, 50
Spanish soap operas, 7
special prosecutor, 222–24, 225, 226–28, 236
State Department, U.S., 150, 212, 249
Stein, Jacob, 232
Stephens, Jay, 187
Student Practice Rule, 86
Sullivan, Emmet, 178, 199
Sullivan, Tommy, 56
summary judgments, 230–32
Sun Diamond case. See Espy, Michael
Superior Court of the District of Columbia, 77, 121–54, 175–83, 187, 199, 230, 258
community relations, 178–79
creation (1970), 165
evolution, 178
heavy dockets, 263
judges, 80, 82, 129, 131, 136, 165–66, 175–78, 179, 216
“activist,” 192–93
appointment process, 121–26, 137, 186, 195
caseload, 241–45
collegiality, 176
A-14
compared with federal judges, 263–64
discretion, 159–60
relationship with jury, 180–85
training program, 127–28
trial pressures, 221
juries, 178–83
major divisions, 139 (see also Civil Division; Criminal Division; Family Division)
pre-trial detention time reduction, 136
quality of legal representation, 137–38, 232–33
reputation, 137
sentencing, 158–63
sources and types of cases, 201–2
trial schedule, 229
Supreme Court, U.S., 143, 194, 220, 240, 264
Blackwater appeal, 253
Guantanamo Bay cases, 205, 210, 217
jury trials for juveniles ruling, 86
mandatory sentence ruling, 160–61, 189, 266
Taliban, 207, 208, 214
Tax & Probate Division (D.C. Superior Court), 139
terrorism cases, 206–7, 208, 215–20
See also Guantanamo Bay cases
Thompson, Judge (Superior Court), 129
three judge-panel, 239–40
Title VII cases, 97, 183
torts, 76, 77, 103, 107–9, 109
track and field, 32–35, 38–44, 47, 124
cross-country runners, 40, 55–56, 59
Georgetown University program, 43–44, 54, 55–60, 73–74
half-milers, 73–74
Madison Square Garden championships, 40–41, 42-43, 57, 60
Olympic trials, 53–54, 60, 62, 64, 70, 75
psychological aspect, 57–58
sponsorship, 70–75
television coverage, 73
training, 58–60, 63
Tucker, Marna, 168
Twain, Mark, 264
Uighurs (people), 236
University of Virginia, 235, 236
Urbina, Ricardo — Personal
and Afro hair style, 116, 165
and American dream, 14–15, 20
and basketball, 33, 35
A-15
birthdate, 11, 13, 14
birthplace, 10
brothers, 11–14, 20, 33, 48, 72
childhood and adolescence, 15–48
Cold War nuclear bomb fears, 37–38
delayed learning to read, 24–25
and marginality, 16–17
move to Queens, 19–23
and parents’ expectations, 14–15, 26–27, 31
physical size, 24, 33, 38–39, 40
social life, 46, 47
competitive nature, 65
dark skin, 8, 16, 35, 44, 47
and draft, 82
education
academic successes, 38, 47
Catholic elementary school, 14, 22–29, 31–34
Catholic high school, 34–38, 45–48, 51, 77
college goals, 14, 38
amd college recruiters, 44
fourth-grade remedial work, 24–26
important academic influence, 31–32
New York City public schools, 18–19
scholarship offers, 34, 39, 44, 55, 65
father, 13, 22–28, 32–35, 49, 62
age at death, 4
ancestry, 5, 7–8
dominating personality, 28–29, 45–46
education, 2, 3, 10, 22
emigration to United States, 1, 2–9, 10, 33, 122
expectations of/support from, 14–15, 26–27, 28, 46
home ownership, 21–22
Honduran origins, 1, 2, 4–5, 6, 7, 8–9, 22, 33, 122
move to Queens, 19–21
occupation, 1, 21
and track, 33
friendships, 47–48
Georgetown Law Center, 50, 53, 63–70, 73, 75–84, 196
clinical experience, 65, 77, 78, 80–81
financial aid, 66
graduation (1970), 79, 101
interests, 69–70, 75, 77
part-time law firm jobs, 63, 64–65, 69
professors, 63–64, 75–76
Georgetown University, 45–46, 48–61, 256
English and Spanish major, 50–51, 53
A-16
graduation (1967), 61
switch from pre-med, 49, 50, 52
track career, 55–59, 73, 74
Latino-African ethnicity, 6, 7–8, 16–17, 47, 50–51, 122, 126, 171, 187, 195, 254–56
LSAT (Law School Aptitude Test), 50, 65–66
marriage, 53, 54, 60-61, 62, 63, 64 (see also wife)
mother, 1–10, 18, 19–23, 25–26, 32, 33, 62
age at death, 4
education, 2, 3, 10, 22
emigration to United States, 2–3, 10
expectations of/support from, 14–15, 26–27, 46, 66
height, 24
and math and reading drills, 2, 27, 31
move to Queens, 20–21, 22
occupation, 1, 15
protectiveness, 34
Puerto Rican birthplace, 1, 2, 3, 4, 9–10, 23, 122
at Senate judicial confirmation hearing, 197–98
and motorcycles, 172–75
personal agenda, 60
positive self-image, 47
and racism, 17–18
retirement plans, 171–74
self-confidence development, 39, 47
Spanish fluency, 5–6, 16, 47, 50–51
track career, 32–35, 38–44, 47, 56–60
championships, 41–42, 56, 57
coaches, 54, 55
high school record, 42–43
non-competitive, 69
Olympic trials, 53–55, 60–64, 70–72, 75
record-breakers, 74
training, 63
wife , 170, 171, 175
Spanish fluency, 6
courtship and marriage, 53, 54, 60–61, 62, 63, 64
writing ability, 50, 51, 52, 171–72, 264–65
Urbina, Ricardo — Professional
acquittal record, 92–93
and appellate court reversals, 237–38
appraisal of judges, 95–96, 175–76
bar exam, 79–80, 84, 86
Brennan Award, 235–36, 252
communication skills, 98
and contracts and torts, 110–11
discrimination litigation, 95–96
A-17
first homicide case, 80–81, 87
George Washington University Law School faculty, “The American Jury” course,
111, 152–53, 223, 236, 247
Howard Law School faculty, 66, 91, 93, 101–16, 196
criminal justice program, 102–6
as inspiration to students, 120–21
methodology, 107–8
salary, 66
teaching approach, 107–9
trial work, 95–97, 101, 112–16
intern program, 244–45
and juries, 77, 93, 148, 150–53, 178–83, 226
law clerks, 51–52, 195, 214, 233, 244–45
and legal writing, 264–65
litigation interest, 77, 82, 93–96
private practice, 91, 93, 101
dissolution, 121
Public Defender Service
investigator, 69, 77, 78, 80–81
litigator, 82–83, 84–94, 101, 164, 165
retirement, 171, 235, 236
retrospective assessment of career, 256–61, 263–66
greatest satisfactions, 258–60
sentencing approach, 156–63
Superior Court of the District of Columbia, 121–70, 175–83, 187, 192–93, 216
appointment/confirmation process, 121–27, 154, 177, 195
assessment of experience, 175–79, 263–64
cases, 139–54, 201–2
Child Support Guidelines Committee, 132–33, 135, 166–68, 258–59
and Civil Division, 139, 155–56
and Criminal Division, 133, 134, 135–36, 139–44, 155–59
difficult case, 140–42, 221, 228
and Family Division, 128–35, 140–42, 154, 168–69, 175–78, 196–97
as presiding judge, 131–32, 134, 140–42, 154, 165–66
juvenile detention case, 134–35, 166
long work day, 177
neutrality, 147–48
resignation, 199
sentencing approach, 158–63
trial schedule, 229
supportive colleagues, 93–94
trial work, 95–98, 112–20, 126
longest trial, 228–29
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 171, 185–99
advantages of federal judgeship, 263–65
appointment, 154, 185
A-18
Blackwater case, 249–53, 265
caseload management, 241–46
decision making, 238–39
Guantanamo Bay cases, 204–18, 221
judicial credentials, 196
retirement, 171, 235, 236
senior judge status, 241
sentencing, 156–58, 162
staff size, 244–46
swearing in, 190, 199
and three-judge panel, 239–40
trial schedule, 229–30
unique cases, 201, 202–29
years as judge, 172
U.S. Attorney’s Office, 83, 92, 93, 111, 117
assistant attorneys, 90, 105, 248
D.C. Superior Court practice, 136, 137, 232, 241
federal drug cases, 184–85, 187–88, 230, 241
quality of prosecutors, 138
U.S. Commission for the District of Columbia District Court, 186
U.S. Constitution. See Constitution, U.S.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Blackwater case, 249, 251, 252, 253, 254
and District Court judges, 237–40
Espy case, 225
Guantanamo Bay cases, 193–94, 205–6, 208
mandatory sentencing guidelines, 160, 266
summary judgment, 231
U.S. departments. See key word
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 154, 171, 185–99
administrative procedures, 243–44
and appellate court, 237–39, 254
appointment/confirmation process, 185–99
caseload, 188, 241–42
criminal calendar, 77–78, 183–85, 187–88, 230, 241
different districts and circuits, 202
diversity of cases, 201, 202–16, 263–64
Blackwater, 249–53
Espy, 221–28, 236
Guantanamo Bay habeas corpus, 204–16
judges, 78, 82, 89, 178, 199, 230, 239
experience, 263–64
individual calendars, 230, 242
life appointment, 162, 163
jurisdiction, 165, 202
longest trials, 228–29
A-19
mandatory sentencing guidelines, 188, 189–90, 194–95, 265–66
minority personnel, 89, 254–55
speedy trial rules, 188
summary judgments, 230–31
trial process, 238–39
trial schedule, 229–30
vacancies, 188, 189, 190, 230, 241, 242
U.S. Supreme Court. See Supreme Court, U.S.
Vietnam War, 82
Villanova University, 56, 73, 74
Viola, Sister, 25, 26, 28
Waddy, Joseph, 78, 117
Wall Street Journal, 150
Walsh, Adam, 144
Walton, Reggie, 181
war criminals, 210
Washington, D.C. See District of Columbia
Washington Post, 79–80
Watergate, 251
Weber, John, 41
Weisberg, Fred, 137
Weisman, Peter, 106–7
white collar crime, 158–59
White House
counsel, 123
judicial nominations, 123–27, 137, 185, 189, 190, 191–92, 198
Whitey Alcatraz, 113–14
Whitman, Mrs. (Urbina’s secretary), 96, 97
Williams, Edward Bennett, 83
World War II, 11
Younger, Irving, 93, 94, 95, 111–12, 148
Zuminsky, Bob, 71, 74