HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-068 RESOLUTION NO. 10-068
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE
TO OPPOSE SENATE BILL 782 AND HOUSE BILL 445
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the
following determinations:
1. If passed Senate Bill 782 and House Bill 445 would require all pretrial release programs limit
the eligibility requirements for entry into a pretrial release program, require program staff to
certify in writing to the court the defendant's eligibility for the program, and prohibits pretrial
programs from collecting fees.
2. The passage of Senate Bill 782 and House Bill 445 would adversely affect release decisions
at First Appearance and carries enormous consequences not only for the defendant but also for
public safety, the integrity of the criminal justice system and the utilization of our often overtaxed
criminal justice resources.
3. Chapter 907, Florida Statutes, provides conditions under which the judiciary can release
a pretrial defendant. These guidelines are used statewide and they support the presumption that
a nonmonetary release is desired.
4. Detaining employed defendants, who are otherwise eligible for pretrial release increases
social and economic costs to support families of incarcerated defendants.
5. More than 50 percent of the Florida pretrial jail population is sitting in jail merely because
they cannot afford to post what the Court has determined to be a reasonable bond.
6. Research has repeatedly reported those defendants who are not released prior to trial,
even when all other factors are similar, receive harsher and longer sentences than those who were
released prior to trial. It should be noted this effect not only drives up jail populations, it also
drives up state prison populations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida:
Section 1: The foregoing recitals contained in the preamble to this Resolution are
incorporated by reference herein.
Section 2: This Board urges the Florida Legislature to oppose Senate Bill 782 (SB 782)
and House Bill 445 (HB 445).
Section 3: The County Administratorisherebydirectedtosendacopyofthisresolution
to Governor Charlie Crist, the County's Legislative Delegation and the Executive Director of the
Florida Association of Counties.
Section 4: This Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 16th day of February, 2010.
BOARD OF COU { TY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: ~ ST. LUCIE COl1N~ ,FLORIDA
BY: _
Deputy Clerk Chairmfa.
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