WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
It was impossible to feel settled with the threat of arrest and deadly force hanging over them. But where else could they go?
Read More »Gainesville homeless campers fear arrest, lack legal alternative
Alachua County makes history with approval of equitable criminal sentencing technology
Alachua County made the joint-effort of state attorney Brian Kramer and public defender Stacy Scott a historic reality: Florida’s Eighth Judicial Circuit will become Florida’s first judicial circuit to integrate equitable sentencing software as an official part of its case management system and plea-bargaining process. Roughly 95% of cases are settled in plea negotiations. Known as the Equity in Sentencing Analysis System (ESAS), this fairly new software provides legal practitioners with a searchable database of statewide sentencing data from the Florida Department of Corrections going back to 1998.
Read More »Panel Discusses How A Legalized Recreational Marijuana Industry Could Help Florida’s African American Population
Six panelists discussed the likelihood of recreational marijuana’s legalization in the decade ahead.
Read More »Gainesville Residents Rally For Father’s Day Bailout
Sunday is Father’s Day, and a coalition of local community activists want to raise awareness about the plight of many families who won’t be able to celebrate the special day together.
Read More »Gainesville Becomes First Florida City To Adopt Participatory Defense
Gainesville is the first Florida city to have a participatory defense hub. Tennessee, Alabama, California, Pennsylvania and New York are among other states with the community-driven initiative.
Read More »On Second Thought, Alachua County Sticks By Decision To Stop Using Inmate Labor
Alachua County has voted to stick with the policy of no longer using the labor of Florida state prison inmates.
Read More »Former UF TAPS Employee Pleads No Contest In Fraud Case
Updated, Friday, Aug. 10, 2018: Tiffany Robinson on Thursday was sentenced to 12 years in state prison followed by 10 years of probation. Original story, June 14, 2018: Former UF Transportation and Parking Services employee Tiffany Robinson pleaded no contest in the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Thursday morning, with a minimum …
Read More »Alachua County Jail Making Strides On Mental Health But Still Encountering Struggles
In extreme cases, the mental health issues can lead to suicide at the jail, which often prompts discussions on the placement and treatment of such inmates.
Read More »At Least 21 Lynched In Alachua County, Historical Commission Confirms
Alachua County wants to wait a few more months before moving forward with a plan to place memorial markers at lynching sites throughout the county to give residents more time to ensure the total number included is complete.
Read More »Alachua County Public Defender Headed for $5.3 Million New Office
The 22,000-square-foot office space is estimated to cost $5.3 million.
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