A former officer with the Cocoa Beach police is facing charges of DUI while under the influence of prescription drugs. According to toxicology reports, hydrocodone, xanax, and a muscle relaxer were all found in his system. His current case paired with his former role as an undercover drug cop may serve to upset many cases currently caught up in the local courts. [Read more…]
Florida Lawmakers Look to Sentencing Reform
In an effort to cut state spending, lawmakers are considering change to criminal sentencing. Among those potential changes—identifying offenders with drug problems and mental health issues, and treating those afflictions through treatment rather than solely through incarceration. [Read more…]
Florida Governor-Elect to Drop Drug Office
Governor-elect Rick Scott made a controversial announcement this week that he will be dissolving the Office of Drug control at the first of the year. Having pledged to cut unnecessary spending, people are up in arms justifying the need for this office which played a role in getting the funding for the newest efforts at curbing the illegal prescription drug trade. [Read more…]
Florida Organizations Urge Victims to Get Domestic Violence Injunctions
In a piece published this week by the Orlando Sentinel, domestic violence victim advocates defend the state’s system of injunctions, stating that they are effective when the victim is actually committed to seeing them used. [Read more…]
Court of Appeals Gets New $48 Million Home
The 1st District Court of Appeals will be sitting pretty come this winter, in what the St. Petersburg Times calls the “Taj Mahal” of Tallahassee. At a time when court workers are losing jobs and the budget is a mess, people are enraged as the construction that will give each judge a 60 inch flat screen, a kitchen, and a granite bathroom in each personal chamber. [Read more…]