Here is the emergency docket for tomorrow, May 13th.

There are 21 in-custody defendants on the docket.

There are roughly 2,700 inmates currently populating the Broward County Jail.

Only 21 of them will be present at a court date tomorrow, systemwide, despite the following Supreme Court directives:

BROWARD MUST SET BOND HEARINGS FOR ALL

Today’s emergency docket concluded at 2:49 PM.

Broward’s in-custody defendants are done for the day. Let’s hope they find some way to amuse themselves while on lockdown until court begins again at 1:30 PM tomorrow.

Mike Usan and Susan Alspector handled today’s chores. Alspector was on for her specialized DVU cases.

The judges made a point at the end of the docket for everyone to start thinking about resolving VOP’s, both pending and new intakes, since the emergency Covid-19 hearings have wound down. Alspector, for her part, said VFO’s, particularly those with technicals, will be her next priority.

Of course, if the SAO doesn’t stop saying “no way” on the majority of VFO cases, with Court Administration continuing to refuse to set both VFO and Arthur bond hearings, nothing will change.

In the meantime, if any mainstream media is reading, please check with neighboring jurisdictions to see how VFO and Arthur hearings are currently being handled, and HELP!

Tomorrow’s emergency docket has eleven cases on it.

That’s right. Eleven cases.

An email went out to judges this morning, confirming emergency Covid-19 bond requests have pretty much subsided, as reflected in the low number of cases to be heard tomorrow.

Yet there still aren’t VFO or Arthur hearing bond procedures in place, despite direction from the Supreme Court on utilization of witnesses in the new paradigm, and the fact other jurisdictions have been doing both, as required by law during the pandemic, via Zoom or in person.

The time for patience is over. VFO qualified defendants, whether or not they’ve ever thrown an actual punch in their lifetimes, are stacked up in the jails, on lockdown in crowded, small cells up to twenty-two hours a day, together with others awaiting Arthur hearings. It’s not safe for inmates or jail staff, or humane. Some have underlying medical conditions that make them more susceptible to severe implications from potential infection, and all are simply accused of violations or new allegations. And pursuant to Supreme Court orders, they’re entitled to bond hearings.

It’s been roughly twenty days since we last brought up the subject. The emergency docket has now dwindled to almost nothing. There are no more excuses. And Jack Tuter, chief judge of Broward County, has still not come up with a method to provide bond hearings for all …

BROWARD DESERVES BETTER

Florida Supreme Court Best Practices (May 11)

In anticipation of the May 18th courthouse “soft opening,” Howard Finkelstein has sent the following letter to Jack Tuter.

Essentially, without real time, confidential communication with clients, the PDO will not be agreeing to anything further being handled by Zoom that isn’t release based or case management. Most of the letter is below, and the full text is here with case law cites …

Applicants hoping to fill the current county court vacancy are fortunate to be the first ever stars of a JNC interview Zoomcast.

Interviews are May 19, and the Zoom link is here.

Thanks to JNC Chair/Executive Producer Ken Joyce for the broadcast …

Below is the candidates’ briefing for the May 11th LWV and ACLU PDO & SAO debates, recently mentioned in the Sun Sentinel. To view the debates on Monday evening at 6:00 PM, click this link.

(Above From Broward SOE)

Rumors are flying that Tallahassee is actively vetting candidates to replace Greg Tony as Sheriff of Broward County.

If that happens, since qualifying is still open through June 12th, there could be a new incumbent Sheriff running against two former Sheriffs, Tony and Scott Israel, in addition to other candidates.

Can things possibly get any stranger in Broward County?

In any event, JAABLOG wishes to extend an overdue Well Done! to Dan Christensen and Tom Lauder for their political landscape shaking recent exclusives regarding our now embattled Sheriff. The alternative media continues to shape affairs and keep everyone thoroughly entertained.

In the meantime, post a comment if you’ve heard the same rumor, or any of the names being floated for a possible regime change over at BSO …

TALLAHASSEE – Acting on the recommendations of a statewide Court Continuity Workgroup, Florida’s Chief Justice Charles Canady issued a new emergency order May 4 increasing the list of proceedings state courts will accomplish by remote technology during the coronavirus pandemic.
It also extends the current suspension of jury trials in Florida until July 2. It makes corresponding changes to some legal deadlines by pushing them back until the Monday after the July 4 holiday weekend. In-person jury trials pose a special hazard because they can expose jurors and other courtroom participants to a risk of infection. Future extensions will be considered if needed …

COMING SOON – Guess who’s back at the SAO?; (Really) Wild Times with Greg Tony …