criminal justice

Orlando Police Lieutenant Scott Smith is this year’s Officer of the Year. Smith is being recognized for his bravery following the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016.

The widow of a long-missing Tallahassee man is now facing first degree murder charges, following her Tuesday arrest. It’s the latest in the case, after authorities found Mike William’s body last year.

This year’s “Operation Spring Cleaning” was a huge success. More than half the counties in the state participated in an effort to get controlled substances off the street during a six-month period.

Those who have sworn to protect Floridians gathered in the Capitol Courtyard Wednesday to remember law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty this past year, and the loved ones they left behind. 

As an appellate court reviews an appeal by Governor Rick Scott and his cabinet in the battle for a new rights restoration scheme for felons, protesters rallied at the Capitol Thursday. Civil rights leaders urged support for a citizens’ initiative amendment on the ballot in November.

To protect your identity and reduce fraud, the Tallahassee Police Department is inviting the public to a shredding day. Officials say shredding old documents will decrease financial crimes.

Hours before a deadline set by a federal judge for Florida to overhaul its felon voting rights restoration system, the state’s Executive Clemency Board was given more time by a federal appeals court. Governor Rick Scott canceled an emergency meeting that would’ve seen the board vote on changes.

A judge has granted a request by defense attorneys in the Andrew Coffey hazing case to get more specific charges from the prosecution.

Governor Rick Scott has appointed a local sheriff to a statewide commission that establishes rules and processes for law enforcement across the state.

Despite a two hour public hearing held earlier this week to limit visitation hours, the Florida Department of Corrections intends to keep normal visitation hours this weekend at all its correctional facilities. The rule change—originally scheduled to take effect Saturday—would have limited visitation to correctional facilities to essentially two per month for a minimum of two hours. And, that may have depended on the inmate’s number within the prison system. Today, you can visit every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

About a 100 people trekked to Tallahassee for the two-hour hearing to voice their opposition to the proposed rule change. They included Forgotten Majority’s Judy Thompson who spoke with Sascha Cordner.

Florida’s U.S. Senator Marco Rubio says the brother of the Parkland mass school shooter is a prime example of why other states should follow Florida and use gun violence protection orders. Rubio and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson are partnering on a “Red Flag” bill.

The Florida Legislature has agreed to allow certain Florida officials to visit the state’s juvenile justice facilities. It’s now heading to the Governor’s desk.

The attorney for a former Tallahassee Police Officer argues his client had consensual sex with a motorist he’s accused of assaulting during a February traffic stop. Vincent Crump had his first appearance in a Leon County Courtroom Thursday.

A Tallahassee defense lawyer finds it absurd that he has to disclose which experts he might call on in his case to the prosecutor. Current legal procedure forces attorneys working pro bono cases to do so.

Former Tallahassee Police Officer Vincent Crump is under arrest and charged with three felony counts of sexual battery. It comes a week and a half after he was fired for allegedly assaulting a woman during a traffic stop.

Momentum has stalled for a bill that would have allowed human trafficking victims to sue hotels that do not take action and train employees to prevent such atrocities. The measure’s sponsor isn’t saying why she pulled the plan.

With no traction in the Florida House, a bill aiming to help those who say they survived abuse at the infamous Dozier school for Boys appears to be dead.

The state attorney’s office says it doesn’t want to rush an investigation into a now-former Tallahassee police officer accused of sexually assaulting a motorist. Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney Jack Campbell says the allegation is serious.

The Tallahassee Police Department has fired one of its officers after receiving a report he sexually assaulted a motorist during a traffic stop. TPD says the victim identified the officer as Vincent Crump. 

A bill allowing certain Florida officials to make announced and unannounced visits to the state’s juvenile justice facilities is now heading to the House floor.