The position of elected public defender for the 20th Judicial Circuit (Collier, Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Charlotte Counties) is on the ballot.  I’m supporting Rex Darrow.  Rex and I worked together at the Public Defender’s Office years ago.  I think he’d make a very good elected public defender.  See www.RexDarrow.com

Effective July 2007, Florida Statute 943.04354 allows some people who would usually have to register as sex offender to petition the court to remove the registration requirement.

Most people on State Probation have the opportunity to petition the court for early termination once they’ve successfully completed half the probationary period.  The judge will make sure the probationer has completed all conditions.  I’ve seen many people who get violated and put back in jail during the second half of their probationary period.  You can avoid that risk by requesting the court terminate probation as soon as you’re eligible.

An adjudication of guilt for possession (or sale) of a drug such as cocaine or marijuana results in a 2-year drivers license suspension under Florida statute 322.055.  How do you get a driver’s license after a suspension for a drug conviction?  You have to wait six months after the conviction before you’re eligible for a restricted license.  You’ll have to apply with the Bureau of Administrative Review.  For the location of the Bureau of Administrative Review in Ft. Myers, take a look at this page on my site. 

The Sarah Ann Drop In Center in Naples, Florida is part of NAMI of Collier County.  The Sarah Ann center is for people receiving mental health services.  They have activities for socialization, integration into the community, and education.  Here’s a description of the Sarah Ann Center in the NAMI brochure.

Here’s a link to the court order that established Mental Health Court in Naples, (Collier County) Florida.

Here’s a brochure describing the mental health court in Naples:

So the question I have about the mental health court is whether it can be used to resolve felony cases, and if there are any exceptions, and who gets to decide who gets in.  Instead of putting someone on probation (or in jail) for felonies, if the alleged criminal activity was caused by mental illness, wouldn’t mental health court and treatment be the appropriate resolution? 

People accused of crimes in Naples, Florida who have a mental illness now have a new option to resolve criminal cases.  Mental Health Court is now up and running.   MHC is an alternative to jail for people who are suffering from mental illness.  I will post more information about the MHC in another blog, including the criteria for entering.

Just getting started.  Comparing wordpress to blogger, for ease of use and formatting options.