State attorney, chief judge at odds over Duval courthouse

[thelakelander]

By Matt GalnorStory updated at 6:24 AM on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009

Arguments for and against a $400,000 elevated bridge connecting the prosecutor’s office and the new Duval County Courthouse hinge on security.

State Attorney Angela Corey says it’s essential for the safety of her attorneys and staff, who shuttle back and forth between their offices and the courthouse several times a day.

But Chief Circuit Judge Donald Moran says it just creates another access point into the courthouse that will have to be secured.

The proposed bridge, referred to in some cities as a skyway, would be enclosed and connect the buildings at the third floor.

The final design of the $350 million project isn’t complete, but the city expects to make a decision on the bridge in the next few weeks, said Misty Skipper, spokeswoman for Mayor John Peyton.

About $20 million has been set aside to renovate the old federal courthouse, where the State Attorney’s Office will be located.

The pricetag for the bridge has dropped from about $800,000 by reducing its width, but the final cost won’t be determined until the final designs are done.

“I wouldn’t be asking for a bridge if it wasn’t necessary for the safety of our employees,” Corey said, noting that the structure will be far more expensive to add after the courthouse is up and running.

Prosecutors now walk across Market Street from their offices to the courthouse. Corey said her attorneys are often threatened by the families of people being prosecuted, but she didn’t know of any incidents where prosecutors have been harmed walking between the two buildings.

Moran says the bridge is a waste of money for people walking just 110 feet. He also called it a safety risk because the prosecutors would control who gets bridge access.

Corey said everyone who gets into her office has already gone through security, so that’s a moot point.

“Judges should worry about their security and we’ll worry about ours,” said Mike Weinstein,  assistant state attorney and executive director of the office.

While Moran questioned whether he’d have to build a bridge for the Public Defender’s Office, too, Corey insists her needs are greater.

Her attorneys and staff are often going to get warrants signed by judges, and prosecutors are involved in every criminal case, while public defenders only handle some, Corey said.

A spokesman for the Public Defender’s Office declined comment.

When four firms were part of a courthouse design competition back in 2002, each design included an elevated bridge.

But, as everyone affiliated with the project acknowledges, much has changed since then.

The first budget was $190 million, with a 2005 completion date. After various budget disputes and the firings of consultants and contractors, construction finally began this year.

The initial design included a large dome visible from the interstate, and the dome became the target of elected officials and other who pegged the building as too extravagant.

Money’s tight and Moran said he can’t justify anything non-essential â€" including the bridge â€" for the new courthouse.

Even so, the judge said: “If you ask me if I’d rather have a dome or a bridge, I’d pick the dome.”

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-11-12/story/state_attorney_chief_judge_at_odds_over_duval_courthouse

[Charles Hunter]

So ... it is mandatory for completely separate entrances, corridors, elevators, and bathrooms for "judge security" - but the State Attorneys, who prosecute the bad guys, well, they can just walk across the street and mingle with the bad guys' family and "business associates."  Are we sure that is the proper spelling of the chief judge's last name?

[brainstormer]

What's really sad is the reality that the judges and primarily Moran were allowed so much power in the design of the courthouse.  Citizens who are paying for it weren't allowed input, but the judges and mayor got whatever they wanted.  Moran is a hypocrite.  He says he can't justify a bridge because it would cost too much, yet in the next sentence he says he would rather have the useless dome.  He is arguing against $400,000 for the bridge yet designed a building with a pricetag of $350 million.  Really?  For real? 
I know we have argued about this disastrous project in hundreds of threads on here, but the same points keep coming up.  This is the ultimate example of corruption in this city and slowly, unless we crush the good 'ol boy network, these people will ruin this city for good.

[tufsu1]

To be fair, the main building is expeced to cost about $190 million....the $350 number includes land acquisition, the new garage, and renovations of the old Federal courthouse and Ed Ball buildings.

That said, the quote at the end of the story is humorous (and sad)

[heights unknown]

It is sad.  Problems problems at the Courthouse site.  Just get the damn thing built already; it's been going on 5 years or so and counting.

Heights Unknown

[brainstormer]

tufsu 1
brain 1

A tie is fine with me.

[Jason]

Next they're going to want armored cars and motorcades to get them back and forth to work.....

[danno]

I was thinking clever disguises for everyone at the SA's offices.

[Captain Zissou]

When four firms were part of a courthouse design competition back in 2002, each design included an elevated bridge.

Yep...  Those designs were all better than this one.

Why is something like this not adequate security?


No one would ever recognize you.

[Tripoli1711]

As a former prosecutor at the SAO it can be unpleasant to have to "mingle" with some of those folks.  It certainly was not a frequent issue.  The majority of the time you just keep your head down and go on or you don't even see anyone.  There were several times, however, that some rather unpleasant things were said.  Typically defendants didn't act nearly as upset with me as their family did.  The defendant knows that he screwed up and I'm just doing my job.  The family thinks he's innocent, and they view the prosecutor as this awful demon who is telling lies about their baby and trying to get him locked up for something he didn't do.  It is the families who tend to give the nastiest "stink eye" I have ever had hurled in my direction.

Is it worth a 400k investment?  I don't know.  I just wanted to make it clear that it is at least a worthwhile issue to consider and not some silly "wish list" item from Ms. Corey that should be laughed off.

[fsu813]

I worked at the Leon County Courthouse for 2 years, with families involved in the legal system. Had to tesitify many times against parents regarding drug use, physical abuse, etc. Termination of parental rights were always a possibility. Some words were said on rare occasion, but I never felt threatened in the courthouse, walking out of the courthouse, or walking from one builidng across the street into the court house. A bridge would have been a perk, but certainly not a need. Just comes with the territory.

[Tripoli1711]

Yes, everything I mentioned that I dealt with just "comes with the territory".  I agree 100% and always felt that way.  The issue is the prevailing frequency of those things which do not "come with the territory" in the world today.  20-30 years ago the thought of being gunned down or followed and harmed as a prosecutor exited a courthouse would have been quite remote.  In today's day and age, I am not so sure.  Be it perception or reality, the world seems a much more dangerous place.  It's very likely that nothing would ever happen without a walkway.  If a prosecutor is shot leaving Court and another few people killed or injured in a hail of gunfire, would spending that $400k have been a worthwhile investment?  I am on the fence about it because even though it is a drop in the bucket in a $350m project, it's still a lot of money to guard against a catastrophic act of violence, but in today's world it seems more important than ever to gameplan for acts of unthinkable violence.

[Captain Zissou]

Thanks for your insights, Tripoli.  I think a hard look should be put towards spending this money for a crosswalk.  Even without gunfire, I think protecting the State Attorney's from the potential negative environment and abuse from families is worth the expenditure.  If so much is being done to protect/ accommodate the judges, I think the same courtesies should be extended towards the other members of the justice system.

Forgive the jokes earlier, they were more to make fun of the circus the courthouse has become, not discredit the professionals who keep us safe.

[Captain Zissou]

^ Good Point

I promise I'm not waffling, this is just a serious issue to me.  Would protecting the State Attorneys de-humanize them to the families of the defendants?  An instrument of justice coming out of the sky and then quickly vanishing to whence they came. 

These are hard working Americans who make our city safer, but that is tough to see when they are so far removed for the populace they serve. 

[tufsu1]

I have a feeling that it is not just a crosswalk vs. bridge issue...unless there would be special staff entrances, this would likely be about a 3 block walk (front door to front door).

Neverthess, I favor pedestrians on the street.