For Immediate Release
Contact: Freidin • Dobrinsky
(305) 371-3666

March 7, 2006

Children of Deceased Circuit Court Judge Obtain Justice Jury Awards $5.25 Million

MIAMI, Fla.- A Miami jury awarded $5.25 million to the young children of Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Steven Levine, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2001.

On Dec. 8, 2001, Levine, 47, was driving his red Corvette on Krome Avenue near Homestead when a Chevy pickup truck driven by Jose Hernandez ran a stop sign at approximately 80 mph and smashed into his car, instantly killing the Judge and his passenger.

Mr. Hernandez, the defendant, had a blood alcohol rate of .232 percent, nearly three times the legal limit of .08 percent. He had just left the Coyote Bar with his passenger, Ruben Soto, who had also been drinking heavily.

Judge Levine, a 15-year veteran of the bench, left behind a widow, Tracy Howard, and two minor children. Tracy Howard sued in 2002, charging Hernandez with negligence.

Hernandez was convicted of vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

The two-day civil trial started Monday, March 6. After 30 minutes of deliberations on the afternoon of March 7, the jury awarded Judge Levine's family $5.25 million.

The law firm of Freidin • Dobrinsky was founded in 1979, and is headquartered in Miami, Florida, at 2 South Biscayne Boulevard. The firm's attorneys can be contacted at (305) 371-3666. Additional information about Freidin • Dobrinsky may be obtained from the firm's website, www.FreidinDobrinsky.com.