K. Michael Moore

This Judge actions raise serious concerns regarding bias, racial insensitivity, and a blatant disregard for the well-being of defendants and their families. Judge Moore has a troubling reputation among attorneys, who have dubbed him "Maximus" due to his excessively harsh and uncompromising sentencing practices. His tendency to rush through cases without proper consideration of individual circumstances—especially concerning first-time offenders—demonstrates a lack of empathy and judicial fairness. This approach not only fails to serve justice but also inflicts significant harm on the families and communities of those affected. The atmosphere of fear he creates among legal professionals undermines the integrity of the judicial process. Attorneys are reluctant to advocate vigorously for their clients, fearing retribution in the form of even harsher sentences. This climate of intimidation is incompatible with the principles of an impartial and just legal system.

Finally saw a defendant get their just reward. We were thrilled that this judge saw through their BS before and at trial. Lying cheating and stealing their entire life- and finally will be paying for their crime. I can almost guarantee that any person charged with fraud- that will have NOT been that person’s first time committing fraud, it’s just the first time they were caught.

I'm not sure why this judge would not recuse himself from Case #22cv14085 when he presided over #11cv14306 involving same subject property at 1701 SW Palm City Road, Stuart wherein the record demonstrates that City of Stuarts counsel Robert Kilbride perjured himself to prevail in that litigation?? This was brought to the court's attention in March 2022 as it clearly creates an issue on appeal.....Moore should not preside

Wish we had more like him, FIRM BUT FAIR, does not allow theatrics in the courtroom. He can pick a jury on record time when others take a day or more. Always on time and does not tolerate anyone being late.

He is a great judge with lots of experience, and he's also very smart.

Not only for career criminals, Moore is also a brutal sentencer for first time, nonviolent defendants who plead guilty. He was offended that he was required to commute to Ft. Pierce (before the new courthouse/palace was completed) and took his animus out on everyone who had the misfortune to draw him as a judge. He should have a guaranteed place if anyone ever decides to write another "Benchwarmers".

Arrive early in Court, Judge Moore has been known to start without parties present. Don't expect to pick your jury, there are no voire dire questions, and you must strike jurors in their presence. Most any evidence will be admitted. Prosecutors, if not all attorneys,are fungible to him, and therefore he will not care about scheduling requests. For sentencing, I call him "Maximum Mike Moore."

A mediocre mentality at best, gruff and abrupt.

Drive by voir dire in which counsel cannot participate left 2 of 8 jurors/alternates excused within days on issues a decent voir dire would have uncovered. Sticks hard to time even when both sides agree modifications are needed. Time allowed for closing after 2 week trial unnecessarily brief inhibiting ability to adequaty review evidence with the jury. Won't allow you to lead on direct even the other party's own managerial and supervisory employees as they are not "adverse" witnesses.

A terrible judge in many respects. Sets cases too quickly and will not grant continuances to enable lawyers to prepare. He'll hose the government on this issue as well, but of course, they've generally had months or years to prepare before indicting. He is a brutal sentencer for the most part. On a run of the mill case, where the defendant has pled, he may go with the bottom of the guidelines. He will never, ever give a downward departure or variance. And he will go high end or statutory maximum with some regularity. He gave one guy who scored 0 to 6 the statutory max of 5 years because the defendant in a failure to heave-to case gave the finger to the coasties and then denied that he did it. Moore was clever enough to protect the record from the 11th -- not that they're going to do anything -- but everyone knew why the sentence was imposed. Four and a half years above the guidelines for making an obscene gesture. That's pretty petty and vindictive, which is scary given the power of the position.

Unless anomie has taken firm root in the U.S. judicial system, Judge K. Michael Moore should be getting a taste of his own pill; considering material evidence of constructive fraud and obstruction of justice perpetrated by the same Judge K. M. Moore in SDFL Case # 09-cv-21723-KMM and 11th Circuit Case # 10-12179 and given his reputation as the harshest sentencer in criminal cases before the SDFL. The arc moral universe is long but it always bends towards justice

I'm not suprised that many defense attorney's don't care for Judge Moore. Makes it tough to develope a "get-em-off" reputation when your before a no-nonsense judge that isn't a bleeding heard social worker who disgusies herself as a district Judge. He's great! If you're a criminal, you don't want to be found guilty in his court!

A bad joke

To put it very kindly, this judge is not the sharpest tool in the shed. To put it bluntly, he is a nitwit and a judicial wimp when it comes handling complex civil litigation: this probably explains why he 'overcompensates' by being one of the harsher sentencers in criminal cases.

I, Denny R. Wood,MSW, pro se, have to conclude that K. Michael Moore is one of the worst possible judges that I could have had assigned to my case. I have posted my pleadings at www.briarwinds.com. In the entire suit the only pleading I was granted was not to have the trial in KEY WEST, Florida. The case was filed in Miami. I live in Miami. The Defendents live in Miami. Maybe the Judge has a vacation home in Key West? This judge actually reversed himself and allowed the trial to be held in Miami. But he found ways to dismiss the case, so no trial. The case, is now in the Appeals Section of the Court System and can be viewed at www.briarwinds.com Denny R. Wood, pro se dignity4@comcast.net

By far my favorite judge in the Southern District.

If you're a career criminal, don't draw this judge. The 11th Circuit affirmed a great decision where he finally gave a career criminal a just and proper sentence. Robert Shaw, who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), contended that it was unreasonable for the district court to vary upward from the guideline range of 30 to 37 months and impose the statutory maximum of 120 months. The citizens in Florida will be glad to hear that this particular criminal got his just reward and will be locked away for ten years.

Worst judge in the district.

He conducts his trials in a fair and consistent manner. He is more predictable and consistent than many of the other judges. He has a reputation as one of the harsher sentencers, but you can be sure he provides a fair trial. He does not usually like to continue the trial date, regardless of the excuse.

His daddy was friends with George the First so what can we expect? He seems unhappy, unsatisfied and thoroughly bored by it all. What a shame, given the number of talented young lawyers and jurists who would love to be a federal judge.