HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-208 RESOLUTION NO. 11-208
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO OPPOSE HOUSE BILL (HB) 875 OR ANY OTHER BILLS
DESIGNED TO MODIFY, ALTER, OR OTHERWISE RESTRICT JUDGES ABILITY TO RELEASE
DEFENDANTS TO THE SUPERVISON OF THE COUNTY'S PRETRIAL RELEASE PROGRAM, AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, The Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida has made the
following determinations:
1. Section 907.041(3), Florida Statutes, states that it is the intent of the Legislature to create a
presumption in favor of release on non-monetary conditions, for any person who is granted
pretrial release, unless such a person is charged with a dangerous crime; and
2. Rule 3.131(b), Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, refers to a presumption in favor of
release on non-monetary conditions for any person who is granted pretrial release; and
3. Detaining employed defendants, who are otherwise eligible for pretrial release increases
social and economic costs to support families of incarcerated defendants; and
4. When release into a pretrial supervision program is delayed or denied the daily jail
population increases as evidenced by the Average Length of Stay (ALOS) and the Average
Daily Population (ADP); and
5. An increase in jail population results in increased costs to house these individuals raising jail
expenses increase costs to taxpayers; and
6. St. Lucie County Pretrial Release Program, provides apoint-of-contact for victims in the
event defendants violate contact orders, administers drug screening of defendants, and
provides effective supervision to ensure defendants attend scheduled court dates, all in a
cost-effective manner; and
7. The supervision and monitoring of defendants by the Pretrial Services program enhances
the public safety and welfare of the citizens of St. Lucie County by holding all participants
accountable.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
I. The Board is opposed to HB 875 and any proposed legislation designed to modify, alter, or
otherwise restrict judge's ability to release defendants to the supervision of the St. Lucie County Pretrial
Release Program, without regard to defendant's financial status.
2. The Board requests the Florida Legislature oppose HB 875 or any other legislation that would
alter the operation of the current St. Lucie County Pretrial Supervision Program.
3. The County Administrator is directed to send a copy of this resolution to the County's
legislative delegation.
4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED hi of December, 2011.
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ATTEST: , BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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Dep ty Clerk •
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C irman
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APPROVE AS TO FORt1A AND
CORRECT E S•
By:
County Attorn