Imagine a world that didn’t have courts to settle criminal or civil disputes. What would people end up doing? Loitering, stealing and committing felonies?
This parable could become an actualization. Due to the recession, the Hillsborough county court office may be closing to survive budget cuts.
After already facing cuts that left 1 in 8 employees without a job, slashing retained employee salaries and closing down one branch (Floriland mall) legislature is asking for another 8% cut in total budget.
Clerk of the Circuit Courts and Chief Financial Officer for Hillsborough County Pat Frank plans to argue with legislatures over the fee they are requesting. Frank said, “I don’t want to put any more people on the street.”
Also because of the recession, there has been more of a demand on the clerk’s office. More foreclosures, violence and petty theft cases are occurring, from about 3,000 in past years to 22,000 cases now.
These cases place a burden on the clerks. Clerks tediously prepare dockets and documents for the judge to review; however, facing budget cuts, the Hillsborough county office can’t afford to hire more clerks to relieve the strain on these employees.
Although the office is facing tough times, they still keep the public records and evidence in all cases. Official records (OR) and any record, in line with state statute, can be found at the clerk’s office. Felony records are kept for 75 years while juvenile records are kept forever. DNA, tires and bloody fingers are all types of evidence the office maintains as well.
On a tour of the courthouse, guided by Dana Laranante, particular courts and public record request departments were made known. Laranante instructed users on how to look up and case and distinguish the type of case it is, the case number, the court date and any updating status.
One of the differences I noticed on this tour was the lack of bailiffs on duty in the corridors, being that there are committed felons walking around, and how that “certified” copies of requested documents are $1 a page, which is awfully ridiculous.
Hopefully with those $1 a page requests and public support, the court house won’t have to close down.
I enjoyed the parable at the beginning of the blog. I think it gave a great visualization for something that is so real. I also liked the statistics that were included giving those numbers also helps the reader understand the drastic problem that we face with courts.
ReplyDeleteGreat beginning of your post. I really enjoyed the creativity, you caught my attention quickly. Adding the stats and the quotes were a good touch to your post as well.
ReplyDeleteThe start of the blog was really great. It caught my attention right away. Awesome blog.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really good blog. It was well written. I liked that you included your observations of the courthouse. Great blog.
ReplyDeleteThe attention to detail and the quotes make the blog flow. Good organization.
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for anecdotes to start of story since they're fun and ease the reader into the story. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI like the Hillsborough County Courts link at the bottom of the page and I also like your first paragraph. It got me interested in reading more of the blog.
ReplyDeleteI like how your blog focused more on Pat Frank. She gave us a lot of information and I like how you put the piece together. Good job!
ReplyDeleteGreat job at creating a visual of the court house and also of what life would be if we didn't have the court system.
ReplyDeleteI liked the opening of your blog. I think that you gathered a lot of information that was useful and helped to tell the story more easily. You seem to be a visualize writer. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteMike you have great writing skills and I like your opener. The details in the blog create the true picture, but I would love to see some images. I like the link.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. You took time to emphasize the problems currently being faced by the courthouse. I think it's important to know that during a tough time like this, everyone is feeling the pinch, including the courthouse. Great use of stats as well to show these problems.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the opening paragraph AND the closing sentence-kind of a funny stab at the $1 per a copy. Well written!
ReplyDeleteEasy read and chock full of info! And yes, it is pitiful that so-called "certified" documents cost $1!? Good post!
ReplyDeleteLove the link and I like the colors of your blog. Everything really stands out!
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