Background:
  • Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight abruptly withdrew all deputies from Sarasota's Clerk of Court building, stating that CCW permit holders may legally carry guns into all court facilities that don't have courtrooms or judges chambers in them.
  • The chief judge of the 12th judicial circuit ordered Knight to reinstate deputies into courthouse facilities.
  • Sheriff Tom Knight refused to obey the judge.
  • In lieu of arresting Knight, the judge sent the issue to the appeals court for a pending statewide decision.

Follow-up article:

Author: Lee Williams

Snip: Chief Judge Charles Williams asked Florida's Second District Court of Appeal to rule on whether Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight is legally required to reinstate deputies at security checkpoints in the Sarasota Clerk of Court building, along with other checkpoints in other judicial facilities that do not have courtrooms in them.

Knight responded by asking the appeals court to quash the judge's orders.

The case centers around:
  • What legally constitutes a courthouse and court facilities.
  • The exemptions section (4) in Florida law 790.33
  • The Sarasota sheriff’s legal obligation in screening for guns in court facilities

The impact of the pending appeals court decision will affect courts and sheriffs statewide.


LINKS:

Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight's explanation for refusing to obey the judge's orders:
https://www.documentcloud.org/docume...ertiorari.html

Chief judges response to Knight's contempt of court:
https://www.documentcloud.org/docume...-Petition.html

Full story:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20...apons-petition