FCSO | State Legislators

To Our Residents:

 

In virtually every opinion poll and survey, public safety continues to be one of the primary concerns for the citizens of Florida. I urge all residents to keep a vigilant watch on legislative issues in Tallahassee. As with all law enforcement agencies, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has a sacred duty to enforce the laws of the state. But while we enforce the laws, we do not write them. That’s the job of the Florida Legislature. Each year, hundreds of new state laws are proposed in Tallahassee.

Many legislative proposals are good laws designed to better protect the public and deserve our support. However, some of the proposed laws that will be considered once the 2010 Legislative session begins in March, could be detrimental to the safety and protection of our society. Two such proposals would create opportunities to reduce sentences for young and older inmates. If passed, these measures would put convicted criminals back out onto the streets to victimize more of our citizens.

Senate Bill 484 would grant early release to certain inmates 50-years-old or older as long as they have already served at least 25 years of their sentence. Quite obviously, anyone who has already served 25 years in prison has been convicted of an extremely serious crime, such as rape, robbery or assault. This is not the type of person we want roaming our streets again, and I strongly object to giving them a reduced sentence just because they’ve reached a certain age. They’re in prison to safeguard the public, and reducing their sentence would do an injustice to the suffering of their victims. This is a bill that deserves to be defeated.

The same is also true for Senate Bill 184 and its House companion, House Bill 23. These bills would reduce the sentence of dangerous youthful offenders under certain circumstances. We’re not talking about minor, youthful mistakes. We’re talking about youthful offenders, fifteen or younger at the time of their crime, who have been convicted as adults to lengthy sentences due to the seriousness of their crimes. Early release would diminish the deterrent value of prison and result in increased juvenile offenders.

Current laws require a convicted person to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence.  Prior to that time, the revolving doors of justice let dangerous criminals out early and the crime rate soared. We must not turn the clock back on justice in Florida. I encourage you to read these proposed bills and make your voices heard. We need your help to keep criminals behind bars where they belong and safeguard our homes and our streets. 

Thank you for your support of law enforcement and for taking the time to educate yourself concerning legislation which would not serve the public’s best interest.  Together, we can help to create a safer Florida and keep crime at a minimum in our County. 

Sheriff Donald W. Fleming

 

 

Vote YES on SB6110 and HB417

Sheriff-Impasse-Quick-Reference-Guide

Vote YES on SB 218 and HB 318

 

 

 

WE SUPPORT

Pardons/Restoration of Rights/Rosa Parks Act
SB826 (link)

Bill Died

Methamphetamine Pharmaceutical Products/Sale
B1050 (link)


               
Rep. Patterson       
Sen. Hill     
Rep. Proctor                   
Sen. Thrasher             

Floor Vote

Yes
Yes
Yes
Not Voting

 

Bill Passed

Collective Bargaining for Certain Public Employees
HB417 (link)

SB610 (link)


Sen. Hill                             
Sen. Thrasher             

Floor Vote
No
Yes

 

Bill Died
 Medical Expenses of Inmates Paid by a County or Municipality
HB319 (link) NO VOTE
SB218 (link)

    

 
Sen. Hill                                     
Sen. Thrasher

Floor Vote
Yes
Yes

Bill Died
Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act
HB325 (link)
SB294 (link) NO VOTE


Sen. Hill              
Sen. Thrasher                  
Rep. Patterson   
Rep. Proctor         

Floor Vote
Yes
No
No
Yes

 

 

Bill Passed
Pretrial Proceedings
HB89 (link)
SB300 (link) NO VOTE

    


Rep. Patterson                  
Rep. Proctor            
       

Floor Vote
Yes
Yes

Bill Died

Adult Protective Services
HB91 (link)
SB336 (link) Favorable with committee


Rep. Patterson                  
Rep. Proctor                  
Sen. Hill                  
Sen. Thrasher             

Floor Vote
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

 

Bill Passed
Sexual Offenders and Predators
HB119 (link

    


Rep. Patterson                  
Rep. Proctor                  
Sen. Hill                  
Sen. Thrasher             

Floor Vote
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Bill Passed
Juvenile Justice
HB211 (link) died in committee
 
Disability Retirement Benefits
SB162 (link)
Bill Died

Required Advertisements and Public Notices


SB1381 (link)
SB376 (link)
Bill Died

State Child Abuse Death Review Committee


SB7113(link)
SB7002 (link)

    
Bill Passed
Special Organized Crime Investigators
SB502 (link)
    


Rep. Patterson                  
Rep. Proctor                  
Sen. Hill                  
Sen. Thrasher           

Floor Vote
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

 

        
Bill Passed

WE OPPOSE

Expunging Criminal History Records
HB541 (link)

Reason we oppose: We oppose any legislation that would create an automatic expungement of criminal records.

Bill Died

Parole for Adolescent Offenders
HB23 (link)
SB184 (link)

Reason we oppose
: These bills would reduce the sentence of dangerous youthful offenders, diminishing the deterrent value of prison and resulting in more juvenile crime.

Bill Died

Elderly Inmates
SB484 (link)

Reason we oppose
: This bill would grant early release to certain inmates 50-years-old or older. Regardless of age, these inmates are in prison to safeguard the public, and reducing their sentence would do an injustice to the suffering of their victims and make our community less safe. Additionally, inmates who would be released under this bill would only be monitored electronically for one year and the families of the victims wouldn't be consulted during the review process.

Bill Died

Restraints/Use During Juvenile Proceedings
SB242 (link)

Reason we oppose
: This bill would reduce courtroom security throughout the state.

Bill Died

 

STATE LEGISLATORS

 
Honorable John Thrasher, Senator
District Office
9485 Regency Square Blvd., Suite 108
Jacksonville, FL 32225-8145
(904) 727-3600
Senate VOIP: 40800
FAX (904) 727-3603

Honorable Bill Proctor, Representative
District Office
9485 Regency Square Blvd., Suite 108
Jacksonville, FL 32225-8145
(904) 727-3600
Senate VOIP: 40800
FAX (904) 727-3603

The Honorable Anthony C. Hill, Sr.
Senate Office Building, Room 213
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
The Honorable Anthony C. Hill, Sr.
5600 New Kings Road
Suite 5
Jacksonville, FL 32209-2146

(904) 924-1646
Senate VOIP: 40100
FAX (904) 924-1648
Statewide:
1-866-867-0289

Honorable Pat Patterson, Representative
District Office
120 S. Florida Avenue, Room 206
DeLand, FL 32720-5422
Phone: (386) 736-5100

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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