Last Day on the Bench aka Bye Bye Birdie
August 10, 2007 11:03 AM
The hardest part about getting my own show is saying goodbye to my current life. I have been involved in the criminal justice system in Florida for more than 23 years, first as an Assistant State Attorney under Janet Reno, then as a private criminal defense attorney and finally as a Judge, and now I have to say goodbye.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez proclaimed my last day on the bench “Judge David Young Day” to honor my 15 years on the circuit court bench. My parents and family and friends were all invited to a ceremony with the Mayor. As usual, my parents were late. Seriously late. Like 90 minutes late. My father has many fine qualities. Punctuality and a sense of direction are sadly not on the list! The Mayor, a longtime friend, could not have been more gracious, though. We all had a good laugh, and their lateness (and not my award) made for a great story on the evening news.
In court, my last day on the bench was emotional and rewarding. A constant interruption of people kept stopping in to wish me well. The most meaningful well-wishers were the defendants who came in to say “thank you” and tell me they owed their life to me. Many of these people had been written off as life’s failures, but working with the court system they had overcome their problems. It gave me more joy and more of a sense of accomplishment than anything I have ever done.
When I became a Judge in 1993, I wanted to leave the community better than when I found it. I truly feel I have, and this is exactly the impact I want to make with my new show.
Just as I left the building for the last time, the emotion finally got to me and I began to cry. Just then, the cell phone rang. It was my new assistant in New York calling to schedule a hair and wardrobe day in New York! Nothing cheers me up quicker than a day of grooming and shopping on the company’s tab! New York, here I come!
Gray skies are gonna clear up, Put on a happy face! Brush off the clouds and cheer up, Put on a happy face!
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Comments (20)
David:
Do please keep in touch. I am alerting all my friends in my hometown---NYC---to watch out for you.
Buena suerte,
Marta Martinez-Aleman
Com. Edmonson's Office
111 NW 1 St. #220
Miami, FL 33128
305-375-1951
Posted by Marta Martinez-Aleman | August 10, 2007 2:31 PM
Hey David!!!!! Mazel Tov!!!!
Posted by David Edelstein | August 12, 2007 2:21 PM
So proud of you. Good luck & a happy healthy new year.
Posted by Carol Jacobs | September 10, 2007 10:57 AM
I absolutely love your show!...having been born in
Miami in 1956 now residing in Georgia I still have
a hold in my heart for my birthplace.
Your sense of humor entwined with the law is
wonderful.
Hope you are on for a long time!...we need it!
Society needs your breath of fresh air and humor
to realize life is too short not to live it and
care for one another!
Best of luck!
Posted by philip | March 25, 2008 11:48 AM
Phillip, thank you for those kind words. Where in Miami did you live? When did you leave. It is an ever evolving community. Your friendship is most appreciated. My best, David
Posted by David Young | March 29, 2008 5:22 AM
You Called a producer on your show a "pig" and I think no matter what your life style it does not give you the right, as a judge, to be disrespectful. Different countries have different standards than ours, and of course producer or not I don't think you have eyes in your butt either. I know you are Mr. Goodie Two Shoes so you can say things that normal people are not supposed to say but save it for your crew.
John Rummel
Posted by John Rummel | June 12, 2008 3:27 PM
Eyes in your butt? hmmmm
Posted by Lynze | June 12, 2008 3:53 PM
Mr. Rummel, what on earth are you talking about?Please enlighten me sir. Oh by the way, being gay it's not a lifestyle it is an orientation. :)
Posted by David Young | June 12, 2008 4:05 PM
You tell em' JD. This comment cracks me up everytime I read it. lmao Eyes in your butt? What does that even mean? Some sort of new gay innuendo that I'm unaware of. Exactly what producer was called a "pig" ??? And where does this Goodie Two shoes come from? Did you stumble upon the wrong website perhaps? I'm just itching to see what Jena Simmons will have to say about this one. ;)
Posted by Lynze | June 12, 2008 9:13 PM
Oh yeah, that was a good episode. Remember JD, the case between the Italian Producer and the women photographer he hired, who got spanked on her behind by one of the crew members? Judge David was really mad that the Producer suggested the plantiff liked being slapped on her backside. That's why JD called him a Pig. And I agree. He was a pig, but rather a handsome pig.
Posted by Mary Ann Sawant | June 13, 2008 9:28 PM
Thanks Mary Ann! I do remember. A rose is a rose is a rose.....
Posted by David Young | June 15, 2008 5:33 AM
Hello from canada;I watch judge David Young every day on WSBK at 11:00.I love your style of justice and your values for peoples feelings.Keep up the great work.You are a blessing . louise
Posted by louise kennedy | June 17, 2008 10:32 AM
Hello JD from California. You're hot and you rock!
Posted by Shawn | July 1, 2008 10:45 PM
David I had the honor of meeting you and Scott at the Daytime Emmy Awards. I was seated at your table. Next year will be your year to win the award. I'll be rooting for you. I told you I had never heard of you or your show. I have since watched the show. You are very fair to everyone and the show is quite entertaining. As Phillip said "society needs your breath of fresh air and humor". It was a pleasure to meet you and Scott and the next day Scott's parents. I wish you all the very best.
Posted by Julie | September 10, 2008 3:42 PM
Louis and Shawn, THANK YOU so much for watching and enjoying the show. Your comments were VERY much appreciated.
Julie, I enjoyed meeting you as well. I am so happy that you are enjoying my show. Next year we will celebrate the Emmy together.
BTW all, how do you like Season #2?? Your thoughts please,
My best to the best fans, David
Posted by David Young | September 10, 2008 8:54 PM
Great 2nd season. David you have a BIG heart. In reference to two recent shows about paternity. A woman in her 40's was wondering if the man she learned was her father in her teens was her father. She had never met him. The DNA test proved he was her father. You were so happy for them. The other show was from season 1. A woman in her 20's wanted to know if the man she always called father was her father. The DNA test proved he wasn't her father. You told her he was still her father. A piece of paper can not change that. You showed compassion to all concerned. You care and it shows. Keep doing what you're doing and you will be on for many years.
Posted by Julie | September 20, 2008 1:37 PM
David, this week a new show aired on the time you came on here in San Antonio. I think that it is called the Doctors. Does that mean that you are no longer on TV? You came on at 3 p.m., and Judge Judy at 4 p.m. I stopped doing anything for those two hours. Let me know what has happened; if you are no longer on tv. or on another channel at another time. I did enjoy your program. Mildred
Posted by Mildred A. Parker | September 20, 2008 10:29 PM
Thanks Julie! Glad you like the new season. I do too!
Mildred, I am no longer on in San Antonio (we lost 3 stations but picked up several others). My suggestion to you and those in the other 2 cities that I am not on is to write/call the station to express your opinion.
Your love and friendship means so much!
xo David
Posted by David Young | September 21, 2008 7:04 AM
David. On the show this week was a gentleman and I use the term loosely. He was by far no gentle-man and jerk is too nice of a word. His pitbull killed a goat and he smiled about it. I felt like slapping that smile right off his face. Seeing her pet goat being killed caused the owner to have a heart attack. He said she had a heart attack because of her weight. You told him to leave the courtroom. I'm glad you did that as I was getting sick just by looking at him. You showed true compassion to the lady. More people need to have as BIG a heart as you have. Julie
Posted by Julie | November 9, 2008 5:35 PM
MY HEART GOES OUT TO JUDGE DAVID AND HIS FAMILY ON THIS SAD OCCASION OF THE LOST OF HIS BELOVED MOTHER. ALTHOUGH I NEVER MET HER I KNOW WE WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT FRIENDS IF WE HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET. I WOULD HAVE TOLD HER ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS ABOUT HER SON, AND WHY WE LOVE HIM SO MUCH, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT OF ALL IN HER LIFE,
YOUR MOTHER IS WITH GOD NOW DAVID, PICK UP YOUR HEALS ABOUT THAT AND LOOK TOWARDS THE BLUE SKY, AND STARS AT NIGHT, AND REALIZE ONE SPECIAL STAR IN THE HEAVEN IS TWINKLING JUST OVER YOU!
Posted by Mary Ann | November 12, 2008 10:23 AM