Novalawcity

Will We Need Passports to Drive North on 95?

The North Lauderdale City Commission wants to divide Florida into two states - North Florida and South Florida.  See why here.

Florida food and lodging inspection reports

Courtesy of State Agency Database Highlights, here's a useful site to check before you travel around Florida.  The Florida Department of Business and Professional  Regulation has a database of Florida food and lodging inspection records that is searchable by name, license number, and city or county.

Innocence Week @ NSU Law

NSU Law is marking Innocence Week in several ways. (If you're local, you've probably noticed the flyers featuring the 215 and counting exonerated around the Law Center.)

Last night, Alan Crotzer, who was wrongfully convicted and incarcerated for 24 years, 6 months, 13 days and four hours, addressed the NSU Law community.  If you missed the event or want to read about it, check out the Miami Herald article.  You can also catch an excerpt from Crotzer's talk at Local 10, where it was the lead story on last night's local news.

The Florida Senate is currently considering a bill that would provide Crotzer and others like him with compensation, including college tuition credits.  If you'd like to voice your support for the bill, find your senator here.

In Florida, Can Your Dog Inherit Your Estate?

Yes, however...

Researching Florida Initiatives

The Florida Department of State, Division of Elections, maintains a listing of current Florida Initiatives, Amendments, and Constitutional Revisions. The database is searchable and initiatives are archived back to 1978. DOS

New Florida Government Electronic Rulemaking System

For Florida Administrative rulemaking and the Florida Administrative Code, the Florida Department of State created a capable new website. Why not Search the Code, comment on proposed rules, browse the Florida Administrative Weekly, or just find Florida Agencies? F.A.W. & F.A.C.

YouTube gangster arrested

Miami police have arrested a local gang leader who taunted police in a YouTube video.  According to the Miami Herald:

In the clip -- filmed by Villanueva's girlfriend at Logan's apartment in December -- the two point rifles and handguns at the camera in a message apparently directed at the Miami-Dade police street gang unit.
....
Agents found weapons and more than 800 rounds of ammunition at Logan's apartment, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday.
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Villanueva told investigators the video was meant to 'instill fear in people who will `roll up on me,' '' according to the criminal complaint. But the law enforcement community, which has seen four officers killed in the past six months, didn't take the video lightly.

View the video at the link.

Thanks to the Southern District of Florida Blog for the tip.

Charitable giving in Florida

State Agency Database Highlights features a website useful for Floridians making charitable donations: Gift Givers' Guide: A Guide to Charitable Giving in Florida, from the Florida Division of Consumer Services.  It provides data including the charity's license number, revenue, and what portion of funds goes toward program services, and what portion goes toward administrative and fundraising costs. In addition to many local results, sample searches turned up some national organizations.

Florida open government initiatives

BeSpacific reports that Governor Crist has announced two new open government initiatives in Florida:

1. A bill of rights for citizens trying to access public records
2. Improving access to state agency contact information on websites.

For more details, see the press release.

Florida Practitioner Profiling

Florida Practitioner Profiling is a database provided by the Florida Department of Health.  It includes required practitioner profiles "for all Medical Doctors (M.D.s), Osteopathic, Chiropractic and Podiatric Physicians, and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners licensed in Florida." The database can be search by name, profession, or license number, and there is also an advanced search option.  Results include information such as practitioners' education, hospital privileges, financial responsibility, and disciplinary actions within the last ten years.

Tip: State Agency Database Highlights