"OCCUPY COURTS" MOVEMENT PLANS COURT PROSTESTS: WILL THEY EFFECTIVELY SHUT DOWN THE COURTS IN TAMPA ST. PETERSBURG & CLEARWATER?

Another grass roots movement called Move to Amend may soon make siege to local Courts in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Pinellas. The new movement is similar and possibly a branch of Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Tampa, with the intent to impact the federal courts with an attempt to "occupy the courts" in major cities. Your Clearwater Crime Attorney tends toward the view that Juries and Judges should be the ones protesting, since they're the ones stuck with having to listen to lawyers like me all day long.

On Friday, January 20, 2012 the movement plans to Occupy The Federal Courts of Tampa Bay.

In an email Donna Elm of the Middle District Court of Florida said she'd spoken to Federal Chief Judge Conway who said that the Courts bravely "intend to conduct business as usual," and to expect delays. Also, the folks at the Federal Courts noted that everyone including attorneys and defendants should bring identification as there'll be extra security and possibly long lines; and for everyone with Court business to arrive earlier than usual and to keep in mind that:
"Part of our job is believing in American freedoms, and that includes all of them, such as the right to peaceful assembly and protest, as well as the right to open access to tribunals. Please be tolerant, patient, and polite to our visitors." Sounds similar to the way your favorite Clearwater Criminal Lawyer approaches Christmas dinner with family...

So far it is believed that only courthouses in the Federal District Courts in Orlando and Tampa are targeted by the movement at this time. Nonetheless, it is possible that some folks may show up at other courthouses in the Tampa Bay area including the Criminal Justice Center in Clearwater, Pinellas County Florida.