Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Published on: March 6, 2008

Man arrested after high speed chase and jumping 70 feet from bridge

A 24-year-old Fort Myers man jumped about 70 feet off of the Caloosahatchee Bridge to avoid Lee County sheriff’s deputies this morning, after trying to run over a deputy and then fleeing in what became a lengthy high-speed chase, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.Lorenzo Dean Hood was quickly arrested after his leap to the ground below. He suffered only a sprained ankle.His jump from the bridge – deputies estimate 70 to 75 feet – would be about the equivalent of jumping from the top of a seven-story building.According to the arrest report:A call came into the sheriff’s office at 2:44 a.m. about an assault on Boatways Drive. The caller said the perpetrator left in an older model Chevy Caprice.Deputies stopped a car that matched the caller’s description at the northbound onramp to I-75 from Palm Beach Boulevard.The driver, later identified as Hood, swerved and attempted to run over the approaching officer before accelerating up the onramp.

Full Story: http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080306/NEWS0110/80306007/1085/RSS0110

Published on: March 6, 2008

CHILDREN IN CHAINS

by Leland Garvin

Remove shackles unless offenders pose a clear threat

As they consider ways to make juvenile offenders safer in state custody, lawmakers should seize the opportunity to clarify state policy on one controversial practice — slapping leg irons and belly chains on youthful offenders, regardless of their age, physical strength or offense.

Lawmakers never officially approved the practice of shackling juveniles travelling to and from court. Yet it’s common procedure in courthouses across the state — even in circuits where adults accused of violent offenses are transported without the chains. Experts in juvenile justice lament the message the heavy shackles send to young offenders, many of whom are already terrified.

Published on: March 1, 2008

New Garvin Injury Law Logo

by Leland Garvin

Published on: March 1, 2008

2007 Broward Homocide Database

by Leland Garvin

The Sun Sentinel website now includes a searchable database of all Homocides that occured in 2007. Interesting..

Here is the link: http://www.sun-sentinel2.com/homicide_database/broward_homicides_2007_01.html

Published on: February 26, 2008

Computers, drugs stolen from Gulf Coast Humane Society

by Leland Garvin

This is pretty sad.. Police detectives are looking for burglars who broke into the Gulf Coast Humane Society building on Arcadia Street in Fort Myers and took more than $7,000 worth of computer equipment and drugs.

According to police reports:Burglars broke down the front gate of the building, scheduled to open next month, and then forced open the front door. Once inside, the thieves stole $7,184 in computer equipment and drugs.Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Fort Myers Police Department at 334-4155. Article from www.news-press.com

Published on: February 24, 2008

COST-SAVING STAFF FURLOUGHS COULD HAVE ‘CATASTROPHIC’ IMPACT ON COURTS

by Leland Garvin

From the Sun-Sentinel: The business of justice in courthouses across Florida could be dramatically altered in coming weeks, with Broward Chief Judge Victor Tobin warning of a “catastrophic” impact. Under a proposal that would meet a demand from the Legislature to cut nearly $17 million from the state courts budget by June 30, courthouse administration employees would have to take 22 unpaid days off in circuit courts and 58 days in county courts. Not only would employees’ livelihoods be affected as they go without paychecks, but business at courthouses would be unequivocally compromised, judges and court administrators say. Employees forced into furloughs would include judicial assistants, court interpreters and case managers. Just as other agencies have faced cutbacks because of anticipated tax-revenue shortfalls, the state courts system also was ordered to find a way to function with less money. However, judges and court administrators, who were told last year to hold back 4 percent of their budget, found the task impossible because nearly 90 percent of the state court system’s $483 million budget goes to wages, said Kathleen Kroll, chief judge for Palm Beach County.

Published on: February 15, 2008

Broward Courthouse Closed due to flooding from burst pipe

by Leland Garvin

I just returned to my office from the courthouse and witnessed the courthouse falling apart before my eyes; water was all over the place and dripping with no end in sight. The ceiling tiles were becoming waterlogged and falling onto the floor one by one making a loud crashing sound as they fell. The Sun Sentinel has published to following article:

The main Broward County courthouse has shut down for the day after a burst water pipe caused flooding on the third floor and sent water seeping all the way down to the lobby.The Broward Sheriff’s Office asked Chief Judge Victor Tobin to release all non-essential personnel in the main courthouse.Earlier, the flooding sent ceiling tiles to the floor and caused most of the main lobby to be cordoned off.
The pipe ruptured in a judge’s chambers on the third floor, sending water seeping down to the second and third floors.”The first floor is like a little lake,” said Howard C. Forman, clerk of courts. “There’s water all over the floors. It’s an unsafe place to be.”No injuries have been reported and plumbers are on hand trying to find the exact source of the leak.

Published on: February 12, 2008

JURY SELECTION RULES STAND, COURT DECIDES

by Leland Garvin

Sun-Sentinel, http://www.sun-sentinel.com, Feb. 8, 2008.Florida’s rules designed to prevent racial discrimination in jury selection will stand after a sharply divided state Supreme Court refused Thursday [Feb. 7] to change them. The 4-3 decision let stand a 1996 Supreme Court decision on peremptory challenges of prospective jurors. Those challenges typically are when prosecutors and defense attorneys are allowed to dismiss possible jurors without explanation. Courts, though, have allowed lawyers to challenge peremptory strikes to prevent an opposing attorney from using them to exclude jurors solely because of race. Justices Barbara Pariente, Harry Lee Anstead, Peggy Quince and Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis concurred. Justices Raoul Cantero, Charles Wells and Kenneth Bell dissented.

Published on: February 9, 2008

Closed entrance to Palm Beach County Courthouse creating long lines

by Leland Garvin

Sun-Sentinel, http://www.sun-sentinel.com, Feb. 6, 2008.Got a court date at the Palm Beach County Courthouse? Leave home early, and maybe even pack some light reading to pass the time. Lines to get inside the courthouse on some mornings are the longest they have ever been, snaking under the arches and extending to the sidewalk as people wait to get screened by security. The long lines began in October after Palm Beach County closed the south entrance to the courthouse, which will save an estimated $200,000 annually on private security costs. Lawyers, witnesses, litigants, employees and potential jurors have waited as long as 30 minutes to reach the security checkpoint. By that time, they might be late for a court appearance or for their jury summons time.

Published on: February 2, 2008

The Garvin Injury Law

by Leland Garvin

The Garvin Injury Law is proud to announce the opening of our new office in The Legal Center. The Legal Center is walking distance to the Broward County Court House, and provides ample parking for our Clients. Please feel free to stop by and visit the new office.

Florida Personal Injury Law Blog