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Article: House Justice Council moves last say bill: measure gives the prosecution the final argument in all criminal cases and repeals a procedural rule.
- Article from:
- Florida Bar News
- Article date:
- April 15, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Florida Bar. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Prosecutors supporting HB 147 say they are trying to do criminal defense attorneys a favor. Defense attorneys opposed to the measure, which cleared the House Justice Council on March 22, say they are trying to save the state money and promote efficiency.
When the dust settled the council voted with only two dissents to approve the bill that will give the prosecution the final argument in all criminal cases and repeal Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.250. That rule allows the defense the fast closing argument and a closing rebuttal after prosecutors if the defense presents no other evidence or witnesses other than the testimony of the defendant.
That ...