Sheriffs, State Attorneys change policies to reduce unnecessary arrests

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/17/21

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Rev. Ronnie Clark and Fr. Chris Hoffmann

727-465-8765 or email dartcenter.fl@gmail.com

Sheriffs, State Attorneys change policies to reduce unnecessary arrests:

Hundreds of faith leaders throughout the state will be applauding those in law enforcement who are leading the way

WHAT : virtual press conference to announce changes to local civil citation programs throughout Florida

WHEN : Tuesday June 22 7pm-8pm

There will be opportunity for media to speak to clergy leaders and those who have been impacted by this problem throughout the day on June 22.

WHERE : To receive the zoom link please pre-register at

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcud-GrqDItE9OGTHopMiEUWMKnTbRHV9u3

WHO : State Attorneys from Duval, Miami-Dade, Escambia, Broward

Sheriff of Sarasota

Police Chief from St. Petersburg

Diverse faith leaders from across Florida

WHY : To recognize law enforcement leaders throughout the state who are working to stop arresting adults for minor offenses like trespassing, petite theft, driving on a suspended driver’s license or expired tag. Instead law enforcement leaders are expanding access to adult civil citation programs. These programs provide non-arrest ways to allow people to make amends for minor mistakes and they save time and money for law enforcement agencies.

Terry Morris from Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in St. Petersburg will be speaking. He was arrested while trying to break up a fight. The charges were dropped and he thought it was over. 35 years later he retired from his position with the school board. When he applied for another job he was told they couldn’t hire him because he had an arrest record. Mr Morris says, “I believe in second chances because I don’t believe an arrest record for a minor offense should brand someone for life and keep them from getting a job like what happened to me.”

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This event is organized by 11 independent organizations that make up the DART Florida Criminal Justice Collaborative. https://thedartcenter.org/