Florida Courts and Law Enforcement on the Chopping Block
As the legislatures return for a special session on Monday January 5, one thing is on every one's mind, money. According to a story Florida Criminal Justice Budget by reporter Whitney Ran of WJHG in Panama City, Florida, the budgets of all state agencies are on the line and experts predict that continued chopping of the budget could end up in higher crime rates for Florida citizens. The legislature is threatening that all state agencies take another pay cut. The difficulty with that mandate is that most agencies are already working with minimum staffing and they have little meat left on the bone for cutting. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has various duties including drug testing, DNA testing, and responsibility of the alcohol testing program. In cases across the State of Florida, chemists are required to testify in criminal cases as to the results obtained in their lab analysis. In addition, the alcohol testing program has the sole responsibility of making sure the intoxilyzers are inspected and running properly. In addition, the regional inspectors must be available to testify at trials when called by the state attorney. These two programs alone are of paramount importance and funding cuts could be devastating to Florida prosecutors.
The Florida Department of Corrections which supervises prisoners and people on probation could see their budget get sliced. In an effort to deal with overcrowding the system, the Department of Corrections maintains certain diversion programs. Those programs allow many first time offenders to complete certain conditions relevant to their charge and in exchange they are not sent to jail or probation terms. Those programs are in jeopardy as well as prison services and drug court programs.
Florida's Courts have come under the budget knife under the last few years. The legislature has continued to cut away money destined to the Courts. If this continues to occur, the potential for mandatory furloughs and/or job cuts is very likely. The ramifications of such funding cuts would put a huge strain on the system since the judicial assistants often control the Judge's calendars and act as the liaison between state attorneys, defense attorneys, and the Court.
To learn more about diversion programs or to discuss aspects of a criminal case please contact David Haenel or go to our website at www.FightYourCase.com
