Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is seeking the assistance of Governor Rick Scott in an effort to keep firearms as far away from the Republican National Convention as possible. State law prevents the city from passing any ordinance, whether temporary or permanent, that would prohibit firearms carried with a concealed weapons permit. Buckhorn hopes Scott can use his authority to create a temporary solution. [Read more…]
More Floridians Carrying Concealed Weapons
The case of teenage shooting victim Trayvon Martin, killed by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman has shined a light on Florida’s gun laws, among other things. Zimmerman was licensed to carry a concealed firearm and he’s far from alone. As of last month, just under 920,000 Florida residents had concealed weapons permits. [Read more…]
Trayvon Martin Case Puts Spotlight on Stand Your Ground Law
Trayvon Martin was a 17 year old child who was shot in the chest while walking from a convenience store. He was shot by the self-appointed captain of a neighborhood watch who believed Martin “looked suspicious.” Martin had Skittles and an iced tea in his hands. His killer, George Zimmerman, had a gun. [Read more…]
Florida Probation Officers to Visit “Clients” Less Often
In an effort to save them money, the Department of Corrections will be spending less time going door to door, on visits to probationers homes. Corrections Secretary Ken Tucker made the announcement this week and promised public safety would not be in jeopardy. Others, however, are not so sure. [Read more…]
FL Sheriff’s Lobbyist Avoids Criminal Charges By Pleading Ignorance
Last year a top lobbyist for Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings broke the law. Captain Mike Fewless broke a few, actually. But he avoided prosecution by claiming he didn’t know he was breaking the law, a defense that doesn’t work for the common citizen. [Read more…]
Florida Counts 30,000 Criminal Escapees Since 1970s
Whether you escape from a secure prison or an open work-release center, it’s still considered an escape. And the state of Florida knows a thing or two about these different manners of supervision avoidance. According to the Sun-Sentinel, about 30,000 offenders have escaped supervision of one form or another, since the 1970s. [Read more…]
Florida Veteran’s Courts Growing to Help Vets Accused of Crimes
Veterans are no more likely than the average person to commit a crime. But, they do have a unique set of needs. Many vets suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which can lead to alcohol and drug abuse, as well as other criminal behaviors. Many vets don’t want to ask for help and are only offered assistance when they finally run afoul of the law. That’s where the Florida Veteran’s Courts come in. [Read more…]
Florida Mother Sentenced to Max for Party That Led to Death of Teens
Diane Katz Santarelli, from St. Johns, began serving a 364-day sentence this week, after having been found guilty of hosting an open house party that led to the death of two teens. The sentence was the maximum allowable for the two misdemeanor which Judge Richard O. Watson found her guilty of. [Read more…]
Florida Innocence Commission Reviews Jailhouse Informants
The blue-ribbon panel tasked with taking steps to prevent future wrongful convictions is looking at the use of jailhouse informants and considering taking steps to ensure they are a reliable source of information. [Read more…]
Florida Police Unions Overlook Troubled Cops
In an extensive investigation by the Herald-Tribune, we get a very close look at how the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, designed to discipline officers accused of violations, may be sheltering the problem officers instead. The reason could be that the commission is filled with union representatives and members, who are notoriously interested in protecting police officers no matter the violation they are accused of. [Read more…]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- …
- 15
- Next Page »