Broward lets probation-violation suspects go free in transport ...

[LEO]

KCUF_FLORIDA_PROBATION wrote:

Description of My Legal Nightmare in Florida
started
9-11-2006.
Well, it all started when I decided to move to Florida in 2006 I had a girlfriend that had 2 pills in a cigarette pack in my car she was at work. I get stopped at a roadblock in Fort Walton Beach, arrested, charged with possession [FELONY] had a public defender the charge got upgraded to Possession with Intent then they told me they where not going to do that. I ended up being put on two years Probation pleading no contest. I get a domestic Violence charge a few months after being put on probation. I spend over 30 days in the Okaloosa County Jail Probation violated my family makes a out of state bond. I tell the bondsman I am leaving to go back to MS He does not care as long as I show up for court. I hire a attorney and he tries to do something with these cases. The state attorney revokes my bond for leaving the state and they issue a warrant. I get pulled over in Mississippi, spend over a month in jail there [HELD for Florida] hauled around all the way back to Florida on a U.S Prisoner transport extradition van through Texas and back spending nights in jails and eating slop and treated very badly, and not being allowed to use the restroom, Talked to like a dog by the transport people, insulted. etc etc. get to he Okaloosa county jail spend seven months there sleeping on the floor 4 men in a two man cell, the lawyer I hired is horrible, and does nothing to try to help me, or get me out of jail.[On the domestic violence case] I finally had to write the courts myself and explain the situation, and dismiss my attorney from the case to get that settled. At first I got to the VOP Hearing and they reinstated my probation in December of 2007. but they ordered me to a six month in house treatment facility called Keeton in Pensacola,FL and ordered me held until a bed was open! Well Keeton will not take you from the jail if you have any other pending charges so there I sit stuck in jail waiting to go to court on the charge that violated my probation to begin with!
Well, I sit in the Okaloosa County jail until about the middle of February or later, and Keeton comes and gets me after I dismiss the attorney and take a generous plea on the DOV charge. That charge was reduced to simple battery, and the failure to appear was given time served, and the the third charge was dismissed. I get to Keeton and stay there about a week. I am homesick, depressed, mad, etc. The Probation Officer my family had been in contact with said that he was going to get the probation moved to MS. ASAP. I figured it would not be long. This place is ok, I am not knocking nothing they are doing but I had been in jail for almost 8 months with no access to drugs are anything. They had me sleeping on a bed with no mattress, and scrubbing showers and commodes after 40 men. Then one morning me and one of the other residents had some words about I did not sweep the floor good enough, I am redneck from MS etc etc. So I got mad and I left and I came back home to my family in MS.
I have spent almost two years of my life dealing with this, almost a year in jail(s) several thousand dollars, a lot of tears cried, and a lot of heartache, and NOTHING gets resolved! I am through paying for two xanex pills in a cigarette pack. They had/have my picture in the paper down there as wanted drug dealing felon, on the Television, on the Internet, in the Northwest Florida Daily news right now.
I want a Civil Rights Attorney, and a Criminal Attorney to get on this, enough is enough. I want a suit filed against Okaloosa County Florida, and the State and I want this nightmare to end. I found out from a doctor the other day my left wrist is permanently damaged from handcuffs being to tight on my wrist.
"Welcome to the State of Florida"
"Come on Vacation"
"Leave on Probation"
"Come Back on Violation"

Stop comitting crimes dumb shit.

[LEO]

Serpico wrote:

<quoted text> I see you know nothing about what the "job" is all about. Your not sent to pick-up VOP's located outside your zone, so what's the gripe about?
If I'm not mistaken, FHP already handles all of BSO's Sig4's. You make it sound like your gonna be dispatched across the county to pick-up 99's and VOP's.......... So I guess BSO deputies ARE crybabies.
The bottom line is this: DO WHAT YOUR TOLD TO DO, if that means going to pick-up a VOP, then DO IT. It's not for you to question WHAT your superiors decide to spend YOUR TIME on. Your only a cop, not a doctor or lawyer (aka someone that deserves respect)Get it??

It's a little more complicated than that, Serpidouche. It's a budget issue that affects other parts of the agency. I can explain budgets to you if need be. Bottom line is that the county wants 100 million cut from the Sheriffs budget, doing other agencies work will not be happening anymore. People that are not found to be a threat to the community are going to be back on the street. Yay tax cuts.

[Seroico]

LEO wrote:

<quoted text>
People that are not found to be a threat to the community are going to be back on the street. Yay tax cuts.

If they're not a threat, then what's wrong with cuttin' em loose? Still not for you, or any other cop to decide. Leave the budget for the grown ups, and just do your job. Ok?

[Bernard Goetz]

We can't afford to keep criminals in jail but we can afford another dog park and a frikkin cricket stadium? It's not the tax breaks that are the issue it's the governments spending priorities. End all the damn handouts and freebies and force people to work for a living before they get any type of assistance. One more thing, more than one motorcycle officer hiding behind the same tree is a waste of taxpayers money. How many crims are let go so BSO and CSPD can play motor peek-a-boo?

[Anne]

Wow can't believe I came across this. My brother was killed back on 10/5/05 by a drunk driver Richen Turner in Pompano Beach Fla. she was three times over the legal limits, not a us citizen. they never arrested her, allowed her to go home and sleep it off, then allowed her to flee the country back to her home town in the UK. You know what the Broward County Sheriff's dept told us, we have a 21 day law. If we arrest her we need to present our case to the DA. She wont flee she has two kids, which we later found out were actually two dogs. Under homeland security law she should have been arrested to assure she wasn't a flight risk. She should have been arrested under protective custody. My brother was from Florida his family from Mass. We are told because we don't live in florida there's no push. This is still pending. We are trying very hard to get the extridiation papers signed to get this killer back to the United states so justice can be served.
Now I read there's a budget problem.

[LEO]

Seroico wrote:

<quoted text>
If they're not a threat, then what's wrong with cuttin' em loose? Still not for you, or any other cop to decide. Leave the budget for the grown ups, and just do your job. Ok?

It's not for me to decide but then again, Im not on here crying about criminals being set free. It's you "grown ups" doing the bellyaching on here, the ones that wanted a couple dollar tax cut.

[Fed-up]

Yea, I am a probation officer. The DOC has since further tied our hands. They only want us to arrest offenders who pose imminent danger. So if a serious drug offender, robbery offender, sex offender test positive for a drug test or violates for many other reasons, they walk until a judge signs a warrant in many days later. I agree with the sheriff. DOC should get out in the field and protect the public. This does not really happen. Probation officers spends very little contact time with an offender. I calculate we spend an average of about 5-10 minutes actual time with a offender per month. The rest is paperwork in the office. Yes, the "bad guys" have more rights than the victims.

[Sumwhereupnorth]

Budget Problem in Florida? Funny how Florida won't extradite someone who actually killed someone else but they just extradited my boyfriend from MA. for violation of probation.. He doesnt do drugs...He isnt a threat to society..He hasnt been in any trouble in the past year and a half.. He did violate by moving out of state (long story) but Florida has him back now - now looking at 8 years for A VOP.. because of floridas harsh sentencing laws he was scared into taking a plea bargain when he was 21 -7 years in and 8 out for a crime that I have been researching and most that I have seen are charged with 5 years or less for same crime !!!!.. The reason Florida is having problems with their budget is because they LOVE to lock people up and they love to keep them there. That is why they make there probations so hard to succeed on - they WANT to be able to send people back to prison. So... they won't extradite someone who killed another person due to DUI but they will extradite someone many states away who didnt follow their rules but who has never hurt anyone. Our community here in Mass. From My landlord to my neighbors to our friends and co workers have all stated they would write support letters to bring him back.. They WANT him in our community! Florida just wants to lock him up again ! Go Figure..where is the justice???

Anne wrote:

Wow can't believe I came across this. My brother was killed back on 10/5/05 by a drunk driver Richen Turner in Pompano Beach Fla. she was three times over the legal limits, not a us citizen. they never arrested her, allowed her to go home and sleep it off, then allowed her to flee the country back to her home town in the UK. You know what the Broward County Sheriff's dept told us, we have a 21 day law. If we arrest her we need to present our case to the DA. She wont flee she has two kids, which we later found out were actually two dogs. Under homeland security law she should have been arrested to assure she wasn't a flight risk. She should have been arrested under protective custody. My brother was from Florida his family from Mass. We are told because we don't live in florida there's no push. This is still pending. We are trying very hard to get the extridiation papers signed to get this killer back to the United states so justice can be served.
Now I read there's a budget problem.

[Robert]

If there not a "THREAT" why put them in a cage? I remember when people went to The Mental Health Unit I had worked in as a phyc. Tech. and Ronald Regan's"budget cut" closed Ventura Counties State Hospital and sent the clients to "JAIL" for being mentally sick.Wait till a loved one gets locked up for a addiction or phyc. problem then maybe you wont have the George W. Bush attitude of "If your not with me your against me!?!Why does the USA lock up more people than many nations combined and people still dont feel safe? Isure enjoyed Holland!!!!!!!Have a great day and keep your hate bottled up!!!!

[Flawless Logic]

Serpico wrote:

<quoted text> I see you know nothing about what the "job" is all about. Your not sent to pick-up VOP's located outside your zone, so what's the gripe about?
If I'm not mistaken, FHP already handles all of BSO's Sig4's. You make it sound like your gonna be dispatched across the county to pick-up 99's and VOP's.......... So I guess BSO deputies ARE crybabies.
The bottom line is this: DO WHAT YOUR TOLD TO DO, if that means going to pick-up a VOP, then DO IT. It's not for you to question WHAT your superiors decide to spend YOUR TIME on. Your only a cop, not a doctor or lawyer (aka someone that deserves respect)Get it??

Agreed!!
Cops are crybabies. That's why people have no respect for them, and couldn't care less when they
bite the bullet while on the job.

[jen _ Michigan]

I am facing this same problem. My boyfriend was put on probation in tampa florida last july (07), he has violated up here in michigan with a driving while impaired charge. He is doing 30 days up here for that offense, and I found out Florida has a hold on him and a warrant has been issued there. I am supposed to be able to pick him up next week but have no idea what will happen. Do you think Florida will extradite over a misdemeanor DWI charge?(his probation is felony for a possession of Xanax and reckless driving) I can't find anything out from our jail up here of course and no one seems to be able to tell me anything. Personally I agree. Everyone up here thinks "are you kidding me?"? why in God's name would Florida WASTE TAX PAYERS money to do that. It is ridiculous. My boyfriend had his probation transfered up here in
Michigan, reports here regularly, works, has completed some of his Community service hours, attended a program that was required..I mean this is simply insane!!! I am sooooo frustrated I don't know what to do...how long will it take for them to come get him? and how long will the ride down there be?? any info would be helpful!! Do you think they will extradite????

Sumwhereupnorth wrote:

Budget Problem in Florida? Funny how Florida won't extradite someone who actually killed someone else but they just extradited my boyfriend from MA. for violation of probation.. He doesnt do drugs...He isnt a threat to society..He hasnt been in any trouble in the past year and a half.. He did violate by moving out of state (long story) but Florida has him back now - now looking at 8 years for A VOP.. because of floridas harsh sentencing laws he was scared into taking a plea bargain when he was 21 -7 years in and 8 out for a crime that I have been researching and most that I have seen are charged with 5 years or less for same crime !!!!.. The reason Florida is having problems with their budget is because they LOVE to lock people up and they love to keep them there. That is why they make there probations so hard to succeed on - they WANT to be able to send people back to prison. So... they won't extradite someone who killed another person due to DUI but they will extradite someone many states away who didnt follow their rules but who has never hurt anyone. Our community here in Mass. From My landlord to my neighbors to our friends and co workers have all stated they would write support letters to bring him back.. They WANT him in our community! Florida just wants to lock him up again ! Go Figure..where is the justice???
<quoted text>

[jen _ Michigan]

can anyone tell me who actually comes up to extradite someone for a VOP? is it a bus, a van, or a sheriff car?

[Flawless Logic]

jen _ Michigan wrote:

can anyone tell me who actually comes up to extradite someone for a VOP? is it a bus, a van, or a sheriff car?

Probably a van. If you are the only one from Michigan, they MAY provide air fare.

[Flawless Logic]

jen _ Michigan wrote:

I am facing this same problem. My boyfriend was put on probation in tampa florida last july (07), he has violated up here in michigan with a driving while impaired charge. He is doing 30 days up here for that offense, and I found out Florida has a hold on him and a warrant has been issued there. I am supposed to be able to pick him up next week but have no idea what will happen. Do you think Florida will extradite over a misdemeanor DWI charge?(his probation is felony for a possession of Xanax and reckless driving) I can't find anything out from our jail up here of course and no one seems to be able to tell me anything. Personally I agree. Everyone up here thinks "are you kidding me?"? why in God's name would Florida WASTE TAX PAYERS money to do that. It is ridiculous. My boyfriend had his probation transfered up here in
Michigan, reports here regularly, works, has completed some of his Community service hours, attended a program that was required..I mean this is simply insane!!! I am sooooo frustrated I don't know what to do...how long will it take for them to come get him? and how long will the ride down there be?? any info would be helpful!! Do you think they will extradite????
<quoted text>

Jen, not to scare you, but there is a good chance that Florida will extradite him back here. As far as the ride down here, from what I have heard, a van van trip is the most likely, if so, they will take him and make stops all the way back to Florida, all the while picking up others as they head south. He would stay at local jails overnight while enroute. Hopefully, they will choose to send him VIA air travel as this would be less taxing for him. If he doesn't wish to travel on the airplane because of a fear of flying though, they can't force him to fly.
Good luck tp him.

[jen _ Michigan]

Hi..thanks for the reply. So i guess the inevitable will happen. I was really hoping to prevent extradition. Is is common to fly someone? no one has mentioned that option. That would be nice, but I still don't want him to go of course...I did contact an attorney in florida to go before the judge to try and get the warrant lifted, but the judge didn't allow it. He told the attorney he wanted the ride down to be my boyfriends punishment. So I have one more question, should I plan on him being extradited, and if so, will the judge allow him to continue his probation here in michigan? how long would he have to sit in our county jail if florida does decide to come get him? Thanks!

Flawless Logic wrote:

<quoted text>
Jen, not to scare you, but there is a good chance that Florida will extradite him back here. As far as the ride down here, from what I have heard, a van van trip is the most likely, if so, they will take him and make stops all the way back to Florida, all the while picking up others as they head south. He would stay at local jails overnight while enroute. Hopefully, they will choose to send him VIA air travel as this would be less taxing for him. If he doesn't wish to travel on the airplane because of a fear of flying though, they can't force him to fly.
Good luck tp him.

[Flawless Logic]

jen _ Michigan wrote:

Hi..thanks for the reply. So i guess the inevitable will happen. I was really hoping to prevent extradition. Is is common to fly someone? no one has mentioned that option. That would be nice, but I still don't want him to go of course...I did contact an attorney in florida to go before the judge to try and get the warrant lifted, but the judge didn't allow it. He told the attorney he wanted the ride down to be my boyfriends punishment. So I have one more question, should I plan on him being extradited, and if so, will the judge allow him to continue his probation here in michigan? how long would he have to sit in our county jail if florida does decide to come get him? Thanks!
<quoted text>

Jen, The judge may reinstate his probation, depending on the reason he violated. To answer your question, yes, plan for an extradition. If he reinstates his probation, he should be allowed to continue in Michigan, however there may be a period of time that he must be on probation in Fl before they transfer his supervision back to Michigan, I'm not sure.

Flying someone is not as common as driving someone, but it would be alot nicer than spending the night in several county jails while enroute back to Fl. If the judge says "The ride back is his punishment" then it must suck, however, since the judge told your attorney this, it might indicate exactly what punnishment he plans to give him (the ride back). If so, hopefully he will decide to reinstate him, instead of jail/prison time.

A friend of mine was on probation (about 12 years ago), and he violated at least 2 times for "dirty urine". The judge reinstated him. It depends on the judge, some have the "god complex" and some don't.
Good luck

[jen _ Michigan]

Flawless Logic wrote:

<quoted text>
Jen, The judge may reinstate his probation, depending on the reason he violated. To answer your question, yes, plan for an extradition. If he reinstates his probation, he should be allowed to continue in Michigan, however there may be a period of time that he must be on probation in Fl before they transfer his supervision back to Michigan, I'm not sure.
Flying someone is not as common as driving someone, but it would be alot nicer than spending the night in several county jails while enroute back to Fl. If the judge says "The ride back is his punishment" then it must suck, however, since the judge told your attorney this, it might indicate exactly what punnishment he plans to give him (the ride back). If so, hopefully he will decide to reinstate him, instead of jail/prison time.
A friend of mine was on probation (about 12 years ago), and he violated at least 2 times for "dirty urine". The judge reinstated him. It depends on the judge, some have the "god complex" and some don't.
Good luck

Flawless, thanks so much for replying, although I don't feel much better! My county sheriff (I know him and he works at the jail) doesn't think Florida would extradite, The violation of probation is a 'driving while impaired charge', but for some reason, I think they are going to! If in fact they decide to come up and get him, how long can he sit and wait? Isn't there a time limit?? How long is the bus ride down going to be? I would like to fly down there if necessary when he appears on the violation....would his attorney be able to find out when he is picked up?(if in fact he is) I just want this nightmare to end...i have never had to deal with the judicial system and after experiencing this, I don't know how people do it!!

[Flawless Logic]

jen _ Michigan wrote:

<quoted text>
Flawless, thanks so much for replying, although I don't feel much better! My county sheriff (I know him and he works at the jail) doesn't think Florida would extradite, The violation of probation is a 'driving while impaired charge', but for some reason, I think they are going to! If in fact they decide to come up and get him, how long can he sit and wait? Isn't there a time limit?? How long is the bus ride down going to be? I would like to fly down there if necessary when he appears on the violation....would his attorney be able to find out when he is picked up?(if in fact he is) I just want this nightmare to end...i have never had to deal with the judicial system and after experiencing this, I don't know how people do it!!

Jen, First, on the driving while impaired charge, is there a bond? If so, post it and see if Fl is comming for him, if they are, then there would be a detainer on him which would show up while he is being bonded out.

Second, I know if someone violates here, they are held in county jail for a specific period of time before they see the judge, I think it's like 15 days or so. From what I know, the judge has to see you within this time.

I'm no expert, and surely no lawyer, but I would try to bond your boyfriend out and see if they release him. Then you'll know for sure.

[Flawless Logic]

LEO wrote:

<quoted text>
Stop comitting crimes dumb shit.

What a "jaggof" you must be. It's leo's like you that deserve some street justice.

[jen _ Michigan]

Flawless Logic wrote:

<quoted text>
Jen, First, on the driving while impaired charge, is there a bond? If so, post it and see if Fl is comming for him, if they are, then there would be a detainer on him which would show up while he is being bonded out.
Second, I know if someone violates here, they are held in county jail for a specific period of time before they see the judge, I think it's like 15 days or so. From what I know, the judge has to see you within this time.
I'm no expert, and surely no lawyer, but I would try to bond your boyfriend out and see if they release him. Then you'll know for sure.

Hi..since it was a violation of probation, the judge in florida denied the motion for a bond, or ROR...there is a hold on my boyfriend from Florida still (the oomputer at the jail says 'hold until decision is made by probation officer'...I don't know what that means, but there is a warrant and a hold on him out of Florida still and the only way it will go away now is when he has finished his time in jail up here my county will call hillsborough county and ask if they are coming to pick him up....i guess there might be a chance that Florida says they're not coming...but I don't really think so :(