4 / 5 - Friday, May 5, 2006
Edition: SOUTH
Section: LOCAL
Page: 1C
Source: By SUSAN SPENCER-WENDEL Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Illustration: PHOTO (B&W)
Memo: Ran all editions.

Dateline: WEST PALM BEACH
Correction:
CORRECTION, PUBLISHED May 13, 2006: Because of a reporting error in an article about attorney Bill Abra
Post on May 5 may have left the incorrect impression that sheriff's deputies patted down Abramson by force and
patted down, then left the scene on his own, sheriff's officials said. The error appeared on Page 1B of the Local s

ATTORNEY FAILS TO NAB JUDGE FOR TRAFFIC
OFFENSE

The judge's license was suspended after he received a speeding ticket.
Lawyer Bill Abramson usually applies brash tactics to get people out of traffic crimes.
But recently he staked out a person hoping to capture him in a crime - a judge, driving
with a suspended license.
Abramson took up watch outside the judicial parking garage Friday trying to nab Circuit
Judge Martin Colin in the act, according to a sheriff's office report.
Abramson was unsuccessful - patted down by a sheriff's deputy and sent on his way
instead.
Colin reportedly got a ride home with another judge that evening.
According to Colin's driving record, his license was suspended for two weeks in late
April. Colin declined to comment publicly on the matter, except to say he wasn't aware his
license had been suspended.
The judge has a plausible explanation. According to records, Colin received a speeding
ticket in Osceola County and failed to return his not-guilty plea and paperwork to the office
in time, resulting in an automatic suspension April 18.
In the meantime, paperwork was issued saying everything was cleared up. But it was
sent by snail mail and not filed locally until Monday, when his license was restored.
On stakeout day, Colin had dressed down Abramson in open court, telling him he had
been far short of professional when trying a DUI case. That's when Abramsonbeelined for
the judge's driving record.
"What can I tell ya? He's a judge. He's not above the law," Abramson said.
Colin normally hears divorce and family law cases. He had volunteered to take

 over Abramson's DUI trial for another judge.
"No good deed goes unpunished," Colin said.
The judge has averaged a speeding ticket every 18 months since 1994.
It appears from his record he still intends to fight the Osceola one.
Surely he won't be hiring Abramson to get him out of it.
- susan_spencer_wendel@pbpost.com
Caption: Martin Colin (mug)
Keywords: ATTORNEY JUDGE CRIME
ID: 1644995
Tag: 0605050464