According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting took place some time after 4 a.m. this past Friday when 44 year-old Sterlin F. Misener Jr confronted 19 year-old Patrick Hutchison after seeing the teen exit a camper that was parked in Misener’s Naples Driveway. Misener told authorities that he…
Articles Posted in Florida Law
Deffective Miranda Warnings Could Overturn Convictions in Florida
The Florida Supreme Court, in a 6-1 ruling, held that statements given by suspects after police administer a flawed Miranda warning may not be used as evidence against them. In The State of Florida v. Kevin Dewayne Powell, The court found that the Tampa Police Department Miranda warnings were misleading…
$1,000 fine for speeding 50 mph over limit takes effect in Florida
Brazen motorcyclists and drivers now will be clobbered with a fine in the four figures — $1,000 and up — if they get busted for excessive speeding on Florida roads. And for the bikers, there are additional new rules, including a ban on “popping wheelies,” or lifting the front wheel…
FHP, law enforcement agencies increasing visibility Labor Day weekend
NAPLES — The Florida Highway Patrol announced today that it is stepping up its enforcement operations and teaming up with other law enforcement agencies across the state to prepare for the Labor Day holiday weekend. The FHP will increase visibility and enforcement efforts beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 29…
Public defender, state attorney hurting from state budget cuts
The state attorney’s office is also looking at about six days of furloughs for its employees if they’re not granted an exemption from budget cuts.”I am concerned about a morale issue, because I look at our folks and I can’t even hold out any hope,” State Attorney Willie Meggs said.Meggs…
Higher court fees offset budget shortfalls in Florida
Contemplating divorce? As of Tuesday it cost you an extra $45. Forget to buckle your seat belt? Prepare to fork over an additional $14.50. Want to evict that tenant delinquent in the rent? It’s an extra $190.In an effort to ease budget shortfalls, the Florida Legislature voted to raise more…
Florida Senate amendment takes on ‘Truck Nutz’
The Florida Senate on Thursday passed an amendment to impose a $60 fine on Truck Nutz, one brand name for the novelty item on vehicle trailer hitches that resemble the dangling southern end of a northbound bull. The proposal would make displaying bull genitalia reproductions on a vehicle subject to…
Crist says he’ll likely sign guns-at-work bill
The guns-at-work bill is on its way to the governor — who said he’s likely to sign it — after the Senate passed it Wednesday with little debate and a 26-13 vote. I’m probably gonna sign it,” Crist said afterward. “The 2nd Amendment is very important.” The governor acknowledged the…
DISORDERLY LAWMAKING
Tallahassee Democrat, editorial, http://www.tallahassee.com, March 30, 2008.The editorial states: “Florida’s state court system is already a lean, hardworking justice machine. It operates with roughly half as many trial judges per citizen as other large states — 4.5 judges per 100,000 citizens compared with Texas with 10, for example, or the…
Justices OK new state legal offices for poor defendants
Five regional legal offices the state has created to represent poor defendants in special circumstances can stay open, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday [March 13]. The justices reversed a judge’s ruling that the offices, which opened their doors in January, were unconstitutional because they are headed by appointed rather…