- The Law Offices of Russo & Russo, P. A. - Pinellas Criminal Defense Weblog

Challenging Pinellas Red Light Camera Tickets Just Got Easier

The legal validity of Florida’s red light camera laws has been vigorous fought by lawyers throughout the state. In Winter Haven, Polk County judge Timothy Coon threw out numerous cases, after ruling that the automated photographs must be admitted under the traditional rules of evidence. In other words, a witness for the prosecution would first need to testify under oath that the image accurately depicted the scene at the time the photograph was taken.

In Broward County, Judge Terri-Ann Miller dismissed a red light camera case when she learned that the private company hired by the state to administer the program was issuing red light tickets and communicating directly with the clerk of court. The judge found that this was contrary to Florida law, since the legislature required these tasks to be performed by law enforcement and not “a third party non-governmental entity.”

In Volusia County, Traffic Hearing Officer, John Pascucci dismissed thirty-one red light camera tickets when the Daytona Beach City Attorney could not prove that the government had sent the traffic citations by certified mail. The court also found a fatal failure of the government to introduce documentary evidence at the hearing which proved that the defendants in court were the lawful owner of the vehicles depicted in the red light camera photographs.

In Pasco County, Judge Anne Wansboro found the red light traffic law unconstitutional because it improperly shifted the burden of proof from the state to the accused. This is a violation of “due process” guaranteed under both the Florida and United States Constitution because it discards the presumption of innocence by requiring the owner of the vehicle to prove they are not guilty of the traffic offense.

Unsurprisingly, conservative judges in Pinellas County have consistently taken the position that there is nothing unlawful about our red light camera programs in St. Petersburg, Kenneth City, Gulfport, South Pasadena and Clearwater.  (See our earlier blog which identifies Pinellas and Hillsborough red light camera locations.) However, these local judges may be forced to change their view. Recently, the Second District Court of Appeal has taken jurisdiction over questions of legality involving this revenue generating program. More specifically, the appellate court may soon decide whether the state can lawfully admit photographs and video into evidence at a court hearings without the benefit of a witness to authenticate or verify its authenticity. Because of the “robo cop” nature of the cameras, typically no witness to the alleged red light violations exists. As a result, this would create a tremendous barrier to successful prosecutions of red light camera tickets. The Pinellas County Judges would be forced to follow the ruling by the Second District Court of Appeals.

Currently, a window of opportunity exists for recipients of Pinellas County red light camera tickets to benefit from the appeal process pending in the appellate court. Right now, the local traffic court judges will allow a lawyer to “stay” the proceedings of any red light camera ticket. What this means, is that your red light camera ticket can be put on “hold” until such time as the Second District Court of Appeals renders its controlling decision.

Many of our clients have found that our legal fees for this process justify their decision to simply not pay the red light camera ticket. Rather, they are electing to have us challenge their red light camera citation because of their belief that the higher court will ultimately agree with the County Court decisions rendered throughout our state which have found this law to be legally invalid.

We Can Help

If you have received a red light camera traffic notice / citation or ticket in Pinellas County, we are lawyers who can help:
Visit our Red Light Camera Traffic Ticket Web Page
Visit our St. Petersburg Traffic Ticket Clinic Web Page

The Law Offices of Russo & Russo
Former State Prosecutors
9721 Executive Center Drive North
Suite #120
St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Contact our office to discuss your options:
(727) 578-0303
Free consultations

Visit Our St. Petersburg / Clearwater / Pinellas Criminal Defense Website: www.defensehelp.com
See our New Prescription Drug Fraud Website: www.floridaprescriptionfraud.com
View a Website Dedicated to only Pinellas DUI Defense at: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com
Pinellas Personal Injury FAQ’s : www.injuryorarrest.com
Can’t Work? Consider Your Eligibility for Social Security Disability Payments www.mydisabilitylawfirm.com

Technorati Tags: red light camera tickets,Pinellas traffic ticket attorney,challenging red light camera tickets,red light camera ticket lawyer,red light traffic camera unconstitutional,red light camera ticket due process,Russo and Russo,St. Petersburg,Kenneth City,Gulfport,South Pasadena,Clearwater,red light camera pictures,red light camera videos,Pinellas County Judges,Second District Court of Appeals

St. Petersburg Law Office Begins Expansion & Contemporary Renovation

Construction recently commenced in the expansion of office space for attorneys and staff at the law firm of Russo & Russo. The lawyers share their St. Petersburg location with CBS Radio Broadcasting, located at 9721 Executive Center Drive. Clients often remark that their efforts in finding the law firm’s office location is made easy by spotting the the nearby large radio transmitting tower.

Work at the law office is being completed by Tampa General Contractor, iConstructors. The construction firm recently finished a 79,000 square foot project for Amerilife in Clearwater and the completion of its tenth Chase Bank.  iConstructors has built its Florida based contracting services over the past nineteen years and is known for its design and construction of high end corporate interiors.

Work at the St. Petersburg law office entails more than just an expansion of new space. Both clients and staff will benefit from the natural light afforded by expansive ceiling to floor windows. In addition, all existing offices, conference areas, video review room and legal assistant accommodations are slated for a complete contemporary renovation. Members of the law firm are looking forward to a new digital state of the art telephone system that will integrate and compliment their recently acquired new computer systems.

The attorneys at Russo & Russo benefit from their past experience as former state prosecutors and former counsel for a large nationally based insurance company. Attorneys, Frank Russo, Marc Pelletier and Tim Sullivan limit their practice to criminal defense, Prescription Fraud and DUI cases. They are the only local firm handling these areas of law that strictly limit its practice to Pinellas county matters. These lawyers believe their boutique practice gives them better insight into the local prosecutors and judges. See; “Who is the Judge Assigned to my Case?” Their daily appearance in the same courtrooms makes them well acquainted to local customs and practices.

Colleen Russo is focused on recovering settlements in Personal injury cases and securing Social Security Disability benefits for her clients. Her clientele benefit from over twenty-eight years of experience and enjoy a lawyer’s personal attention to their case that might not be possible at mega law firms. Colleen enjoys a busy law practice helping injured and disabled clients. In addition to her charitable work in the community, she gains enormous satisfaction securing the highest possible compensation for her client’s injuries and disabilities. Colleen enjoys a well earned reputation for “getting the job done!”

We Can Help!



Put Our Experience to Work for You!
Free Consultation - (727) 578-0303

Discuss Your Options & Possible Solutions

 

Related Links:

St. Petersburg / Clearwater Carr Accident Attorney
Have You Applied for, but Were Denied Social Security Disability Benefits?
How to Handle an Outstanding Pinellas County Arrest Warrants

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New Pinellas Uniform Bond Schedule Denies Bond for Those Persons Arrested for Leaving the Scene of an Accident

The criminal justice system constantly strives for consistency in its treatment of those accused of criminal offenses. In that spirit, our local judges are guided by a “Uniform Bond Schedule” that sets forth a “Low Bond,” “High Bond” and “Recommended Bond” that arrestees are automatically assigned after being booked into the Pinellas County Jail.  Judges also use the schedule to assign bond amounts to outstanding Pinellas county arrest warrants.

Our office closely scrutinized the 2011 Pinellas Bond Schedule signed by Chief Judge Thomas McGrady. We found buried within the sixteen pages of this circuit court order a new prohibition absent from last year’s directives to our local judges. The added provision in Pinellas Administrative Order Number 2011-049 PI-CIR now prohibits some persons from having a bond set after they are arrested for leaving the scene of a crash (accident) involving death or injury. (Often referred to as “hit and run.”)

These inmates are now to be held without any bond until the question of setting a bond or releasing the individual on ROR can be properly addressed before a Pinellas County judge… if the person so arrested has a previous conviction for any of the following offenses:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) (Florida Statute Section 316.193);
• Felony Driving on a Suspended License (Florida Statute Section 322.34)
• Leaving the scene of an accident with death or injury (Florida Statute Section 316.027);
• Leaving the scene of an accident with property damage(Florida Statute Section 316.061);
• Racing on a highway (Florida Statute Section 316.191);

Because the United States Constitution carries a presumption of innocence until a person is convicted, the ability to post a bond after arrest to secure release from incarceration is a rather routine function of our system of justice. Exceptions do exist, as in the case of capital crimes, such as murder. Several years ago, the Pinellas bond prohibition was expanded to:

• Domestic Violence offenses (Florida Statute Sections 741.28 / 784.03);
• Violation of Domestic Violation Injunctions (Florida Statute Section 741.30(9)(b));
• Violation of Injunctions for Dating, Repeat or Sexual Violence (Florida Statute Section 784.046);
• Violation of Pre-Trial Release where the original arrest was for an act of Domestic Violence (Florida Statute Section 741.29(6));
• Stalking (Florida Statute Section 784.048(2), and
• Criminal Gang offenses under Chapter 874

One commonly cited justification for prohibiting a bond after arrest for the aforementioned offenses is to promote safety for the alleged victim. It is also to enable time to pass so that tempers might cool. Permitting an immediate release could otherwise lead to poor decision making on the part of the accused or retaliation against another party. For that reason, the Florida Legislature passed laws prohibiting the automatic setting of a bond under those aforementioned circumstances.

The recent Pinellas bond prohibition for Leaving the Scene of an Accident came about as a result of new legislation under Florida Statute Section 316.027(1)(b). This was added by Session Law 211-80, House Bill 347 and is referred to as the “Ashley Nicole Valdes Act.”  Politicians were motivated to pass the law after the hit and run death of an eleven year old girl in Miami. They were also moved to take action after statistics were released that showed that more pedestrians were killed per capita in Florida than in any other state. See: Transportation for America Pedestrian Death Statistics that indicate that the Tampa-St. Petersburg area holds the second highest risk for pedestrian death in the country.

The new Florida law prohibiting bonds in leaving the scene of accident cases became effective October 1, 2011.

How We Can Help

• If you are facing a criminal traffic offense or any other misdemeanor or felony criminal charge arising in the St. Petersburg / Clearwater area, we are lawyers who can help.
• If there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, contact us to speak with an attorney. We can discuss your options right over the phone.
• There are a variety of possible solutions we can explore to avoid a criminal conviction
• Selecting the right criminal defense attorney
  
  
  The Law Offices of Russo & Russo
  Former State Prosecutors
  9721 Executive Center Drive North
  Suite #120
  St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Contact our office at (727) 578-0303 
Free consultations

Visit our Criminal Defense Website: www.defensehelp.com
See our New Prescription Fraud Website: www.floridaprescriptionfraud.com
View our Website Dedicated to only DUI at: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com
FAQ’s Associated with Pinellas Personal Injury Cases: www.injuryorarrest.com
Are You Eligible for Social Security Disability Payments?  www.mydisabilitylawfirm.com

Related Links:

Leaving The Scene of Accident Can Bring Unequal Consequences- St. Pete Times
Outstanding Warrants & How They Affect Social Security Benefits
Minor Charged as Adult in Fatal Leaving the Scene Crash-St. Pete Times
The Value of Knowing Which Judge is Assigned to your Pinellas Case
Many Floridians Driving on Suspended Licenses
Help for Out of Town Defendants in Pinellas County DUI Cases

Technorati Tags: criminal,uniform,bonds,schedule,Pinellas,2011-049 PI-CIRcuit,arrested,judge,leaving,scene,accident,crash,jail,offense,florida,attorney,lawyer,defense

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Pinellas County Plans Closure of Traffic Court Divisions

Parking at the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center has long overflowed out to distant parking areas and an auxiliary dirt parking lot adjacent to the jail guardhouse. At a meeting of the Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers on Nov. 9th, 2011, Chief Judge Thomas  McGrady announced to those lawyers in attendance that construction of a parking garage (1,200 spaces) has been approved for the county’s main criminal courthouse.

Completion of construction is currently estimated for the end of 2013, although this date was admittedly optimistic. More importantly, this is what you should know:

• The additional parking at the Criminal Justice Center will enable the planned closure of the two currently existing traffic court divisions located at 1800 66th Street North, St. Petersburg (South County Traffic Court) and 29582 U.S. 19 North, Clearwater (North County Traffic Court);
• The savings associated with the closure of these two traffic court divisions is said to more than justify the expense of building the parking garage;
• During construction of the parking garage, there will be an anticipated shortage of parking spaces at the Criminal Justice Center;
• To facilitate the public during construction, additional parking spaces will be available at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport overflow lot with tram service provided by the county;
• There are two new “traffic court” courtrooms proposed at the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center. The first one is to be built where the current “judicial reception” space exists. The second one is slated to to be constructed on the second floor in some of the  space currently occupied by the Clerk’s office.

Monday mornings at the Criminal justice Center are already crowded and hectic. Lines routinely form at the single entrance resulting in a customary fifteen to twenty minute wait for the public to pass through the metal detectors and security check personnel. Inclement weather often results in a frustrating and wet wait in line as lawyers, defendants and other members of the public stand in unsheltered areas awaiting entry into the building.

Our two Pinellas County Traffic Court divisions currently handle driving under the influence charges (DUI), criminal traffic offense and some traffic infractions. Characteristically, the traffic court judges handle a large volume of cases that help reduce the already crowded dockets and courtrooms at the 49th street Clearwater Criminal Justice facility.

Consolidating the two traffic court operations into the Criminal Justice center is certain to create further congestion and delays. Unlike many public buildings, visitors to the Criminal Justice Center typically all arrive at the same time. Court appearances are normally scheduled for either 8:30 AM or 1:30 PM. This is sure to result in backed up traffic at the 49th street traffic signal located at the bottom of the Bayside bridge. It is also likely to create bottleneck conditions for hundreds of motorists who are simultaneously attempting to enter and secure a parking space in the proposed multi-level garage. Consider also that the anticipated additional traffic will be originating from both North county and South county residents who will all converge at the same time at this single site.

It appears that the desire of county officials to save money through the elimination of the two traffic court divisions, will come at a big cost:

• Significant inconvenience to the public; and
• The inevitable termination of employment for those county employees whose jobs will become redundant.

Let’s face it…closing the two traffic court locations is simply a shifting of costs. The public will now be forced to bear the burden of driving from the outreaches of both ends of the county, where most residents reside and work, to an inconvenient and congested mid-county location comprised primarily of industrial and warehouse real estate.

Arrested for DUI or a Criminal Charge?

Call a Team of Former State Prosecutors
Free Consultation - (727) 578-0303
Discuss Your Options & Possible Solutions Right over the phone

See our Criminal Defense website at: www.defensehelp.com
Visit our Comprehensive DUI Website: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com
Prescription Drug Crimes: www.floridaprescriptionfraud.com

Related Links:

Who Is the Judge Assigned to My Case?
Pinellas Court System Operations in Emergencies
Government Uses Criminal Laws to Save Money
What Judges & Lawyers Say About Us
Our DUI Defense Credentials
Sixth Judicial Circuit Official Website

Technorati Tags: Pinellas County,criminal justice center,St. Petersburg,Clearwater,parking facilities,courthouses,Judge Thomas McGrady,lawyers,attorneys,public works,construction,DUI,criminal defense,traffic offenses,administration of justice,judges

Pinellas County Criminal Court System Determined to Operate... Despite Natural Disasters or Hazardous Emergencies

In many cases, an emergency or natural disaster can result in the temporary suspension of important governmental functions. It can destroy buildings and vital equipment. It can also threaten the the safety of governmental personnel.

But, some governmental agencies are undeterred. After the  September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the subsequent anthrax mailings,  the United States Postal Service created a "Proud to be an American" style television commercial that featured  the following creed:

"We are mothers and fathers. And sons and daughters. Who every day go about our lives with duty, honor and pride. And neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor the winds of change, nor a nation challenged, will stay us from the swift completion of our appointed rounds. Ever."

Emergencies and disruptions in Pinellas County courts are nothing new. There have been:

• Evacuations for bomb threats,
• The shooting of a bailiff,
• The hit & run of a Bailiff walking into work,
• A criminal defense attorney punched in the head by his client during a court proceeding,
• A criminal defense attorney arrested on forgery charges while appearing in court on behalf of a client,
• The response of fire and rescue personnel,
• suspected anthrax mailed to a criminal court judge,
• The finding of "Legionnaires Disease" bacteria,
• The theft of an expensive watch at the metal detector,
• Scientology litigation,
• The prosecution of the famous "Hiccup Girl" for first degree murder,
• Rock star gawking,
• Controversial "facial recognition" technology used at the court house entrance,
• A "Tea Party" protest, and most recently,
• A media circus associated with the selection of jurors for the Casey Anthony trial.

But, what about catastrophic emergencies that result in the loss of one or more court facilities? 

On July 22, 2010, designated  "Emergency Response Team Members" assembled behind the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center to prepare for  just such a contingency. 

Their formal practice session incorporated the use of a high tech inflatable tent, auxiliary power generator, a computer command center and a trailer of necessary supplies. These efforts, demonstrated that our local court system is just as committed as the United States Post Office when it comes to maintaining essential court operations, in the aftermath of a natural disaster, (hurricane, tornado, fire, etc) or, other emergencies that could arise from a terrorist attack, civil unrest or any hazardous condition.  

All of this activity was predicated in compliance with Pinellas County Administrative Order No. 2005-042 PA/PI-CIR. This very detailed court  mandate requires that crucial "court operations" continue in the face of any disaster. It also requires the cooperation between personnel from the  State Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, Deputy Clerks, bailiffs, a court reporter and the acting Administrative Judge.

Crucial operations include, but are not limited to:

• Defendant's "First Appearance" or "Advisory Hearings" for felony and misdemeanor arrests  in compliance with Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.130;
• Pinellas County Juvenile Criminal Detention hearings mandated by Florida Statute Section 985.215;
• Pinellas Injunctions for dating, domestic violence, repeat, or sexual violence in accordance with Florida Statute Section 784.046
• Requests for the issuance of Pinellas warrants or authorization for wiretaps.

We have recently seen natural disasters and resulting civil disorder in  Charlotte County, Florida and New Orleans, Louisiana. Pinellas officials are hoping to avoid both.

Have You or a Relative Been Arrested ?

Call a Pinellas County criminal defense team with substantial background & experience. We can discuss possible remedies to get the charge dismissed through diversion programs, or avoiding conviction through a withhold of adjudication.

Free consultation: (727) 578-0303

See our Criminal Defense website at: www.defensehelp.com
See our Pinellas Drunk Driving site at: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com

Related Links:

Who is the Pinellas Judge Assigned to my case?
Power Outage & Fire Closes Courthouse
Courthouse Closes Because of No Water
Hurricane Closes Several Courthouses
Lifting St. Petersburg / Clearwater Area No Contact Orders
How to Obtain Pinellas Criminal Court Records
Why Use a Private Criminal Defense Lawyer over the Public Defender?
Suspicious Package Closes Courthouse
How to Select the Right St. Petersburg / Clearwater Defense AttorneyFlood Closes Massachusetts Courthouse 

Technorati Tags: Pinellas,courthose,St. Petersburg,Clearwater,natural disasters,emergencies,lawyer,attorney,defense attorney,criminal,advisory hearing,juvenile,detention,warrants,injunctions,domestic,violence,emergency response team

Does Rick Scott's Elimination of Florida's Office of Drug Control Mean Further Delay for Prescription Drug Database?

On December 17th, 2010, Governor elect Rick Scott announced that the Florida Office of Drug Control would be eliminated effective January 2011. This agency is typically responsible for providing the governor and Florida legislature with guidance for drug policy making. It also serves to facilitate the cooperation between Florida Law Enforcement and executive state agencies on matters involving substance abuse and the illegal importation and sale of drugs. The elimination of this agency is premised on Scott's campaign promise to cut government spending

Florida's Office of Drug Control played a crucial role in securing $65 million dollars in federal grants to implement, maintain and operate Florida's new Prescription Drug Database. In 2009, the Florida legislature originally passed a law mandating that the database go live on December 1st, 2010.
However, corporate wrangling over which private company would design and service the program caused a delay which was projected to stall the program's start until the first quarter of 2011.

On December 23rd, 2010 the Orlando Sentinel conducted an interview with Florida Senator Mike Fasano. It was Fasano who sponsored the original Prescription Drug Monitoring bill. The senator praised the Office of Drug Control and its Director, Bruce Grant for their efforts in leading the drive to get the Prescription Data Base Bill passed.

Bruce Grant, the current Director of Florida's Office of Drug Control voiced his concern that the elimination of this government agency "will be significant." Fasano likewise questions what will now happen to the Prescription Database Program and Florida's battle against "Pill Mills" and prescription drug abuse. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has released statistics to show that from 2003 to 2009, the number of deaths caused by prescription drug abuse increased more than 100%. That means today, about seven people per day in Florida die of prescription drug overdose. Fasano said "There is no group more dedicated to this one issue in saving lives than the Office of Drug Control."

With no one spear heading the Prescription Data Base program, it seems likely that there will be even further delays in its implementation. Speculation suggests that Rick Scott intends to have the Florida Department of Health and perhaps the Florida Department of Law Enforcement take over the reins. But there is also talk that the incoming Governor may be seeking increased assistance from the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Bruce Grant has been quoted as saying "Somebody's going to have to "pick up the ball" and frankly the Department of Health is not the aggressive type of agency to do it."

We anticipate that further delay in implementing the Prescription Drug Database will allow Florida’s prescription drug epidemic to continue to grow in size and magnitude. As it does, we expect that arrests for felony possession of controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance will continue to increase.

Arrested for a Drug Related Offense in Pinellas County? We Can Help!

We are experienced criminal defense attorneys who regularly handle drug and prescription medication cases in the St. Petersburg / Clearwater region. Many drug and prescription medication offenses have serious legal ramifications and are punishable as felonies. Because of this, those individuals charged with these kinds of offenses not only need a lawyer, but also need to know how to choose the right lawyer for their case. At Russo & Russo, our goal is to pursue rehabilitation and treatment as part of our strategy designed to avoid conviction and jail.

Call our office and we can discuss which Pinellas judge is assigned to your case.  We can also provide you with information about the unique opportunities available through the Pinellas County Drug Court.

Contact our office for a free consultation at: (727) 578-0303

Visit our general criminal defense website at: www.defensehelp.com
Visit our Drunk Driving website at: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com

Links:

The St. Petersburg Times’ Article on Governor-Elect Scott’s Proposal

Prescription Drugs – An Open Invitation Into Pinellas County’s Criminal Justice System

Doctor Shopping Charges in Pinellas County

Orlando Sentinel Article Regarding the Office of Drug Control’s Elimination

Prescription Fraud Defense in St. Petersburg/Clearwater

Getting Your Felony or Misdemeanor Charge Dismissed

Drug Trafficking Defense Attorney in Pinellas

Drug Trafficking in Florida - A Crime You Thought You Understood

Food and Drug Administration Approves Potential Breakthrough Medicine In Treating Prescription Drug Addiction

 

Technorati Tags: drug database,Prescription Drug Monitoring program,drug court,Office of Drug Enforcement,possession of a controlled substance,Governor Rick Scott,Florida Department of Law Enforcement,Florida Department of Health,Florida legislature,felony charges,St. Petersburg defense attorney,Clearwater defense lawyer,Pinellas County,pain clinics,pill mills,criminal offense,prescription drug abuse,prescription drug crisis

St. Pete Police Program Targets Repeat Offenders but Blurs the Line between Police Officers & Probation Officers

A newly formed police unit within the St. Petersburg Police Department is cracking down on crimes committed by repeat offenders through increased monitoring and surveillance. The Career Offender Tracking and Apprehension Unit, or COTA for short, is tasked with monitoring the most dangerous “career offenders,” in St. Petersburg. The special unit consisting of twelve detectives and one analyst. The COTA personnel focus primarily on less than three-hundred adult and juvenile offenders who have multiple convictions for serious felony crimes such as burglary and grand theft offense. As part of its objectives, the unit also monitors the various neighborhood-based gangs across the city.

The Career Offender Tracking and Apprehension unit was formed this September upon the premise that, since most crimes are committed by a small group of offenders, law enforcement should focus heavily on those career offenders and aggressively monitor and pursue them when necessary. According to the agency, this strategy of aggressively targeting career criminals is already paying dividends. The City of St. Petersburg has recently reported that the COTA unit’s approach has cut automobile thefts alone by 43 percent and reduced burglaries by 20 percent this year.

While the unit is firmly committed to quickly apprehending career criminals when they commit new crimes, not all of its activities take a purely reactive approach. In fact, the unit has placed great emphasis on educating the offenders under its supervision. This is especially true with the juvenile offenders targeted by the unit,. The St. Petersburg Police Department  feels that these juvenile offenders are far less likely to continue to commit crimes if they know that their whereabouts will routinely be monitored and scrutinized.

Detectives and personnel within the COTA unit regularly check with school officials and family members to make sure that the past offenders are regularly attending school during the day and obeying court-imposed probationary conditions.. For many officers of the COTA unit, this means visiting the offender’s family to guarantee their compliance. It also means checking on adult offenders to ascertain whether they are complying with curfews. Our office has concerns about these otherwise law-abiding persons being “targeted.” We also question whether such monitoring of court imposed conditions, and the verification of school attendance  properly falls under the purview of law enforcement. After all, isn’t that suppose to be the job of probation officers?

So far, the unit’s approach has received approval from the local judiciary. The general consensus of Pinellas judges is that the program is correctly and effectively targeting the offenders most at-risk to commit more crimes in the future. The response from the local State Attorney’s Office has been emphatically positive, with one Assistant State Attorney telling the press that the program is finally doing something about career criminals that are confident they can "beat the system.”

Arrested for a Criminal Offense in St. Petersburg or Clearwater?

We are experienced criminal defense lawyers who routinely handle misdemeanor and felony criminal cases within the the St. Petersburg and Clearwater area. When someone is charged with a criminal offense, they not only need an attorney, but also need to know how to select the right attorney for their case. At Russo & Russo, our goal is always to pursue strategies designed to avoid conviction and jail.

Contact our office for a free consultation at: (727) 578-0303

Visit our general criminal defense website at: www.defensehelp.com
Visit our Drunk Driving website at: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com

Other Related Links:

The Florida Career Offender Registration Act
Will You be Treated as a Habitual Offender?
St. Petersburg Times Article On the COTA Unit
Consider Possible Solutions For Your Pinellas Criminal Charge
St. Petersburg Police Department’s Post Regarding COTA in the St. Petersburg Times
Sealing or Expunging a Pinellas Criminal Record
St. Petersburg Times Expose Regarding COTA’s Role in Combating Gang Activity
Fort Lauderdale Police Department Website with Information Regarding the Department’s “Career Criminal Unit”
Three Strikes Law
The Prison Releasee Reoffender Program

 

Technorati Tags: Repeat offender,serious crime,felony charges,burglary,vehicle theft,career criminal,adult offender,juvenile offender,St. Petersburg Police Department,criminal defense lawyer,defense attorney,Clearwater,Pinellas County,State Attorney,detective,probation,curfew,truancy,police unit,task force,neighborhood gang,gang crime,grand theft,Pinellas Judges

Attorney Marc Pelletier Featured in Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals’ Newsletter

Last month, attorney Marc N. Pelletier had the honor of having an article featured in the Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals’ monthly newsletter. Marc’s article, titled “Record Oxycodone Prosecutions in Pinellas County: How Did We Get Here?” examines the steadily increasing number of Pinellas County criminal cases involving the possession, sale, or trafficking of Oxycodone. The expose explores some of the likely causes of the year-to-year skyrocketing numbers of  these Pinellas County offenses. Likely causes include the aggressive marketing campaign of the drug’s manufacturer, the drug’s infamous and perhaps counter-intuitive “black box” warning label, and Florida’s longstanding reputation as being the “Pill Mill Capital of America.”

    The Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals, or FADCP, was created by the Florida Legislature through statute 397.334. The association’s members include judges, state attorneys, defense counsel, public defenders, drug court program coordinators, law enforcement, probation officers, academic professionals, and drug treatment providers. The association’s main goal is to provide insight and recommendations regarding drug offenses and their effective resolution in drug court. These recommendations are made to the  Florida Supreme Court’s "Treatment-Based Drug Court Steering Committee." The association routinely provides services to drug court professionals and their communities including drug addiction treatment training, testing, case transfers, and drug legislation tracking.

Marc N. Pelletier is a former State Prosecutor. While serving in that capacity, he was honored with the "Agency Service Award" in recognition of his service to the State Attorney's Office and the citizens of the 12th Judicial Circuit. The award is bestowed upon those attorneys who demonstrate superior courtroom skills and preserve the fair and equitable administration of justice. Marc credits his experience as an Assistant State Attorney for providing him with a unique insight into the policies, procedures and tactics of his opponents.

Marc currently practices criminal defense in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and the surrounding communities of Pinellas county Florida. As a lawyer with Russo & Russo, P.A. he represents clients charged with both felony and misdemeanor offenses. The law firm of Russo & Russo is listed in "Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers." Marc graduated cum laude from Stetson University College of Law and is also a graduate of the National College of DUI Defense conducted at Harvard Law School. He has a "Superb" rating by the "AVVO" lawyer rating service. Marc currently serves as the President of the Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association.

Arrested for a Drug Offense in Pinellas County? We Can Help!

We are experienced criminal defense lawyers who routinely handle drug and prescription medication charges arising out of the St. Petersburg / Clearwater area. Most drug and prescription medication offenses have serious legal consequences and are punishable as felonies. As a result, individuals charged with such crimes not only need an attorney, but also need to know how to select the right attorney for their case. At Russo & Russo, our goal is often to seek rehabilitation and treatment as part of our strategy designed to avoid conviction and jail.

Call our office and we can discuss Which Pinellas judge is assigned to your case.  We can also provide you with information about the unique opportunities available through the Pinellas County Drug Court.

Contact our office for a free consultation at: (727) 578-0303

Visit our general criminal defense website at: www.defensehelp.com
Visit our Drunk Driving website at: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com

Links:

The Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals

Doctor Shopping Charges in Pinellas County

The State of Florida’s Prescription Drug Database Program

Prescription Fraud Defense in St. Petersburg/Clearwater

Getting Your Felony or Misdemeanor Charge Dismissed

Felony Drug Possession Defense Lawyer in St. Petersburg/Clearwater

Drug Trafficking Defense Attorney in Pinellas

Prescription Drugs – An Open Invitation Into Pinellas County’s Criminal Justice System

Drug Trafficking in Florida - A Crime You Thought You Understood
Attorney Marc Pelletier Selected for 2010 Best of St. Petersburg Award

Marc Pelletier in the News

 

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