Thursday, December 3, 2015

RIP, Larry Thompson

Hospice patient Larry Thompson, 61, of Orlando passed away today.

Me with Larry Thompson
Earlier this summer my office represented Mr. Thompson who suffered from a terminal case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

 Even though Mr. Thomson was clearly disabled and relied on a breathing tube, he was arrested for failing to pay nearly $900 even though he could barely afford to pay rent. He was taken to jail and then transferred to the hospital.

Eventually Mr. Thompson was freed after people donated money to pay his fines. His case illustrated the situation of thousands of needy people in this community who can’t afford to pay court ordered fines. Arresting them for fines they can’t afford to pay needlessly drains police and other public resources.

The pointlessness of arresting indigent people who can’t afford to pay court fines was not lost on Ninth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Frederick Lauten who wiped from the from the court record 21,000 who failed to appear in collections court.

Larry Thompson’s suffering made a difference.

RIP.



Please remember our clothing drive this Saturday (12/5)


Please bring your clean, serviceable clothing for men, women and children to our collection point at the Orange County Courthouse on Saturday, December 5th between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

 We will be located at the circular driveway to receive your donations. Thank you for your contributions. Donation receipts will be provided.

Your donations are shared with litigants appearing in court proceedings in the Ninth Circuit who are unable to provide their own appropriate attire, to individuals going into residential programs and other needy individuals. Your items will help to maintain the dignity of our court proceedings and ensure that the lack of proper attire does not affect the outcome of cases that come before the court.

We thank you in advance for your donations at the holiday time and throughout the year.

If the December 5th drop-off date is not convenient for you, or if you have donations at other times of the year, please call our office at 407-836-4806 to arrange a drop off or pick up at your location.
Thanks for keeping us in mind,