Broward County, Fla., bond court is one of the more entertaining YouTube channels. The video content for each day the court is in session gives viewers a sense of how the court system operates. Even given the judges’ varied and sometimes engaging personalities, the court almost always finds probable cause for the charges in the short hearings handled via video. Judges do adjust the bond amounts downward, however, or resolve cases based on time served, however. Suspects held on serious, violent felonies sit side by side with those facing relatively minor misdemeanors. With so many defendants crowded into the main hearing room, viewers probably have wondered about security. Appropriately so, especially given the lackluster reputation of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
WPTV described what happened on March 27:
“Assistant Public Defender Julie Chase was standing next to a female defendant at a podium Wednesday morning when a man waiting for his own bond hearing stood up, walked behind Chase and punched her with his left hand. The courtroom video shows Chase fall to the floor. The inmate standing next to her put her hands to her mouth and backed away. Everyone was noticeably surprised by the attack, prompting other defendants awaiting their appearances to make way for deputies, who handcuffed the man and carried him from the courtroom.”
The lawyer received treatment as a local hospital and was released, but understandably told officials that she is still experiencing some “discomfort and pain,” according to the Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Authorities are reportedly holding the suspect at a mental health facility.
The Sun-Sentinel added that officers have since beefed up security.
“Since the attack, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony increased security for the Magistrate Court sessions by handcuffing all detainees and rearranging the chairs in the Broward Main Jail’s courtroom to make it more difficult for anyone to approach an attorney or detention deputy from behind.”
Upon taking office, Gov. Ron DeSantis removed the incumbent Broward sheriff for bungling the response to the horrific Parkland high school shooting.
[Featured image by Okan Caliskan from Pixabay]