SS – Caught with a little marijuana in Broward? You’ll no longer face prison (2/10)

SAO POLICIES FOR CANNABIS/THC PROSECUTION

News from this morning’s Stakeholders’ meeting:

Civil/Probate – Zoom still for the foreseeable future.

County Criminal – March 8th for a small number of jury trials, unless stakeholders believe the COVID-19 numbers are too high, in which case a pushback of opening is likely until April. One hundred and twenty jurors would be summoned for March 8th.

Circuit Criminal – VOPs, VOPs, VOPs. Administration realizes what is clogging the jails, and judges, possibly handling cases from multiple divisions, would handle in-court VOP hearings in vastly separated courtrooms to keep the courthouse as clear as possible. No word on circuit jury trials at this time.

Developing …

Reportedly March 8th … details to follow …

The jail cap is hovering around 80%, with 54 confirmed positives for COVID-19 as of today …

From an email sent last night to the SAO’s PIO:

(W)ill Mr. Pryor be prosecuting cannabis and drug paraphernalia cases?

The response, sent earlier this morning:

Harold will announce policy changes that are in line with his campaign stance soon when the details have been finalized. He is reaching out to local law enforcement agencies and wants to “dot the i’s and cross the t’s” before finalizing any policy change.

THANK YOU, MR. PRYOR!

Emails sent today on the new SAO FTU procedures, and two more years of chief judge Jack Tuter:

SAO Leads:

Tuter elected unopposed:

We know you just took over, but please be advised. Your prosecutors are still filing and prosecuting misdemeanor cannabis cases, despite your promises.

The ASA’s we’ve spoken to tell us they haven’t received any direction to decline or nolle prosse under twenty gram cases, and they’re filing Informations as we speak. Defense attorneys are frustrated, not to mention the scared clients facing incarceration and future-wrecking criminal charges …

As far as Harold’s cash bail promises, a comprehensive and safe plan for the community will obviously take time to create and implement. But cannabis? When the officers could have written an infraction in the first place? Come on!

In other SAO news, FloridaBulldog.org has the dollars and cents on Pryor’s deal to keep Satz and Marcus on the Parkland case:

Will Satz and Marcus be working pro bono if the monthly caps are met? Wait and see …

YOUTUBE INTERVIEW – HAROLD PRYOR NOT PROSECUTING UNDER 20 GRAMS

Courthouse closures and jail quarantining are taking a major toll.

FTU’s new policy gives Lead ASA’s discretion to help resolve their division matters, instead of Line ASA’s having to chase down a Supervisor on nearly every case.

Will the new policy help alleviate the mounting criminal justice crisis in Broward County?

WAIT AND SEE …

Congratulations to Charles Hall upon his retirement from the Broward County Clerk’s Office after more than thirty-four years. For those who don’t know, Charles served honorably in management capacity.

According to this recently posted Facebook video, the highly respected and beloved Mr. Hall elected to take retirement a little unexpectedly, after what he characterizes as unpleasant clerk’s office politics arose. You can click the link to see what he’s talking about for yourself, but be warned. Strong language is used, and he’s none too happy with the always controversial Brenda.

CONGRATULATIONS CHARLES!

“Real Change For Our Marginalized Community” – Harold Pryor