Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossJanuary 7, 2016

Humbled, contrite, and saying he’s found Jesus, 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk is forging ahead with a campaign for a third term, despite a grand jury urging him to quit after scandal plagued his tenure in office. “I have a good record to stand on and intend to make that known to the public,” […]

Guest AuthorAugust 5, 2015

Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney candidate, Nassau County Republican Wesley Forrest White, has a steep hill to climb if he hopes to knock off current and perhaps perpetual State Attorney Angela Corey. Corey started fundraising at the beginning of June. July numbers are not yet available, but that first month found her breaching the $125,000 […]

Guest AuthorDecember 9, 2014

The recent grand jury cases examining the deaths of African-Americans Michael Brown and Eric Garner exonerated the police officers who killed them and ignited passionate demonstrations and recriminations from civil rights leaders alleging ingrained racism in our criminal justice system. The debate since Brown’s killing in Ferguson, Mo., has centered on the training and behavior […]

Martin DyckmanNovember 30, 2014

Many years ago, a Union County jury spared the life of an inmate who had killed the Florida State Prison’s deputy warden during an escape attempt. Raiford was the governmental version of a company town, so how did the killer get second-degree murder instead of a ticket to the electric chair? The reason, as an […]

Tag: grand jury

Matt Shirk seeks 3rd term: “I’ve owned up to my mistakes … moving forward”

A.G. Gancarski: Wrong way for Wes White?

Steve Kurlander: Brown and Garner cases indict antiquated grand jury system

Martin Dyckman: Ferguson prosecutor should have recused himself because of his police ties