NEW LAW MAKES IT A FELONY TO ATTACK A DEFENSE ATTORNEY OR PUBLIC DEFENDER ACTING IN THEIR COURTROOM CAPACITY
On June 5th, 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 384 into law which gives greater protections for defense counsel. Beginning on July 1, defense counsel will now receive protections already afforded to other courtroom officers.
The new legislation was proposed this session after a vicious attack on Gainesville defense attorney Eric Atria. Atria was representing a criminally charged
client during a trial in an Alachua County courtroom. His client, Obadiah Dillard assaulted Atria without warning, fracturing his skull after punching him on the left side of his face.
Using the experience he endured as an example, Atria traveled to Tallahassee multiple times to meet with other lawmakers to advocate for changes that could protect other lawyers.
Atria said "I feel both honored and humbled to be the face of this law, knowing that will forever protect my fellow defense attorneys."
After spending nearly 30 years as an Okaloosa County Court
judge, House sponsor Rep. Patt Maney, R-Shalimar said he was floored when he saw the footage of the attack.
Maney said "when I saw this incident, it was shocking" and "I presided just 10 days short of 29 years as a judge. I never would have imagined something like this happening in my courtroom. I have never seen anyone in the courtroom assaulted. You can't have a system that doesn't protect the functioning of the system and the people involved in the system."
The signing of the bill ironically came on the same day that
Dillard's trial for aggravated battery against Atria concluded and jurors went into deliberation.
For people who have been charged with a criminal offense, they know how difficult and stressful the experience can be.
If you or someone you know has been convicted of a criminal offense, it's important to realize that records and reputations can be severely damaged without proper representation.
Charges and convictions can also result in huge fines, jail time, loss of employment, loss of gun ownership
rights, other serious problems, and more.
Take advantage of our FREE consultation so we
can discuss the case and what to expect. We can begin helping right away.
OUR CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE EXPERIENCED, DEDICATED AND
AGGRESSIVE.
At Fernandez Law Group, our Tampa criminal defense attorneys have
a lot of trial experience and are able to work effectively with prosecutors and judges to provide the best defense and possible outcomes.
