Local attorney Jim Lewis has announced he will seek the Republican nomination for Broward State Attorney. He would challenge long-time Broward State Attorney (and Democrat) Mike Satz. Lewis released the following statements on Satz, destination casinos, the death penalty and drug laws.
“Over thirty years of practicing criminal law, twelve of which as a Florida Prosecutor, have taught me a lot about our Justice System. Bold decisions must be made to improve and we must change with the times. That is why I am throwing my hat into the ring to challenge the sitting State Attorney who has not had a serious challenge in thirty-five years, and has been in the State Attorney’s office for forty-five years. It’s simply time for a breath of fresh air in the courthouse.
I believe the next few years will bring many new challenges to Broward County, including the likelihood of new destination casinos on our beaches. We must be prepared to meet these challenges to protect our citizens and visitors.
I’ve learned from prior campaigns, most recently in my 2010 unsuccessful run for Florida Attorney General, that successful campaigns have to be well financed, organized, and run by professional campaign staff. I have budgeted $300,000.00 for this campaign and I have retained a professional campaign manager.
The new demographics of Broward and the current political climate give Republicans a fighting chance in county wide elections in 2012. Republican Sheriff Al Lamberti has proven in the 2008 election that the voters of Broward County care more about quality public service than Political Party.
There are some great experienced public servants in the current State Attorney’s office. We need them to provide more in-service training to the younger prosecutors to insure the citizens of Broward County get the best representation possible.
While I have serious doubts about the use of the death penalty in Florida, it is the law and if I’m convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that the accused is guilty and deserving of the death penalty, I will seek it. I never want to be in a situation apologizing to the family of someone who was wrongly executed or died in prison for a crime they did not commit.
While some may criticize me for running for Public Office multiple times without success, I make no apology for running again, this time for Broward State Attorney. I could choose to ignore the problems I see in our Justice System, or just complain about them, but I choose to do something, to step up to the plate and offer my experience and new ideas to an office that needs a breath of fresh air.
As Broward’s State Attorney I will strive to be progressive, with my primary objective to find new and better ways to keep our community safe. Secondly, for non-violent offenders, I want real attempts to rehabilitate low risk offenders instead of using up valuable prison space on drug addicts and the mentally ill.
The use of mandatory minimum prison sentences, some as high as 25 years for drug charges has gotten out of hand, and left unchecked will bankrupt the State Prison System. Drug purchasers who are addicts should be given an opportunity to overcome addiction so that we the taxpayers aren’t stuck with supporting them in prison for outrageously long periods of time”.
Will Mike Satz’s reign go up in smoke at the hands of Jim Lewis? Stay tuned.
(h/t JAABlog.com)
