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By now, many are well aware of how difficult it can be to get unemployment benefits in Florida. There have been numerous stories about the antiquated CONNECT site and all of its flaws.
Sen. Darryl Rouson
The impact of criminal and traffic fines and fees on low-income Floridians and the efficacy of relying on those revenues for government programs would be studied by a special council under a bill now moving through the Florida Legislature.
SB 492, by Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee 10-0 on March 9.
It would create the Council on the Discretionary Imposition of Criminal Justice and Traffic Fines and Fees, supported by the Attorney General’s Office.
“Over the past 20 years, there has been a growing use of fees and fines in the criminal legal system in the state of Florida. Research conducted in other states shows this system of revenue generation has come at a high cost to families impacted by them while being an inefficient system of revenue generation,” Rouson told the committee.
This year’s virtual ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, January 28, at 3:30 p.m.
The Florida Bar will recognize 21 lawyers for their work on behalf of low-income and disadvantaged clients at a January 28 ceremony streamed live online by the Supreme Court of Florida.
Established in 1981, The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Awards are intended to encourage lawyers to volunteer free legal services to the poor by recognizing those who make public service commitments and to raise public awareness of the substantial volunteer services provided by Florida lawyers to those who cannot afford legal fees. Florida Bar President Dori Foster-Morales will present the 2021 awards.