Defense lawyers say proposed bill is attack on the First Amendment and the right to assemble
The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers informed local Historic City News reporters that they oppose legislation urged by Gov. Ron DeSantis addressing “affrays, riots, routs, and unlawful assemblies” as a too broad an attack on the First Amendment and the right to assemble. The proposed legislation is a solution in search of a problem, the Association said.
The proposed bill includes provisions that disqualify persons from post-incarceration reemployment assistance and working with any state or local government entity. This bill also includes mandatory minimum sentences, which fly in the face of the current movement in the criminal justice system away from mandatory sentencing.