PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Lobbying for proposed pretrial release programs is under discussion by Pinellas County officials prior to the January commencement of the Florida legislative session. Pinellas County had opposed proposed laws which would have restricted the number of people eligible for pretrial release programs. Commissioner Neil Brickfield … View full post on Collateral Magazine

Raoul G. Cantero and Mark R. Schlakman: Florida death penalty law overdue for … Gainesville Sun A commission established by the Florida Legislature almost 15 years ago to monitor the administration of justice in death penalty post-conviction proceedings has itself been sentenced to death. The unintended consequences may be significant. …

View full post on post conviction release – Google News

Florida death-penalty process is overdue for review Orlando Sentinel A commission established by the Florida Legislature almost 15 years ago to monitor the administration of justice in death penalty post-conviction proceedings has itself been sentenced to death. The Commission on Capital Cases, a relatively obscure …

View full post on post conviction release – Google News

FLORIDA CITY, FL – A woman met two men claiming to be Florida bail bondsmen at a local Shell station on April 6 and handed over $1,000 to them after her husband had been detained by immigration. The woman told police officers that the two so-called bondsmen were recommended to … View full post on Collateral Magazine

PALM BEACH, FL — State Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff is supporting a bill that would see indigent defendants released on public supervision programs. Under the current version of the bill, defendants who are within 300 percent of federal poverty guidelines would be allowed to apply for pretrial services. As well, the … View full post on Collateral Magazine

PALM BEACH, FL – Former Broward County Judge Robert Zack has been encouraging his county to rely more on bondsmen and less on pre-trial release programs. Zack supports a bill proposed by Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, which would limit the pre-trial release program. Zack’s comments have provoked some controversy as Zack … View full post on Collateral Magazine

MIAMI, FL – Twenty-four attorneys have recently been disciplined by the Florida Supreme Court in various cases. The cases involve issues of misconduct and violation of ethics rules. Among the attorneys disciplined is Matthew Kimball McDowell, who was suspended for ten days after working closely with a bondsman. McDowell accepted … View full post on Collateral Magazine

TAMPA, FL – Hillsborough jail commander Jim Previtera is opposing HB 1379, which would limit the pre-trial program. He claims the bill, if passed, will cost $7 million for the state’s taxpayers. The jail uses ankle monitors and house arrest for defenders who are considered low-risk in order to avoid … View full post on Collateral Magazine

Bail Works for Florida, Inc., a Florida non-profit established to limit the threat of pre-trial release programs, recently spread word of a new poll showing that Florida voters oppose using tax-payer money for bail. … View full post on Collateral Magazine

BARTOW, FL – Bartow has conducted a study revealing that residents want to maintain the historic character of the city’s downtown area. The study results will be submitted to the Bartow City Commission, which is expected to pass ordinances of design standards in order to meet these needs. However, the … View full post on Collateral Magazine