FTAA: Speedy Trial Guarantees To Be Suspended In Miami For Trade Talks

TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Supreme Court's chief justice ordered Thursday that guarantees for speedy trials and court hearings will be suspended temporarily in Miami-Dade County because of next week's free trade meetings.

The decision applies to criminal and juvenile proceedings from Monday to Nov. 26, Chief Justice Harry Anstead said in an administrative order. It also affects domestic violence cases for the same period, and foreclosure and Baker Act hearings from Monday to Nov. 21.

"The speedy trial rule requires that criminal defendants be brought before courts in a specific period of time," Supreme Court spokesman Craig Waters said.

Anstead approved the request from Miami-Dade Chief Circuit Judge Joseph Farina, who asked for the precautionary move because of the estimated 20,000 or more protesters expected to fill downtown Miami for the Free Trade Area of the Americas meetings. The meetings run from Sunday to Nov. 21.

Waters said suspensions have "happened in the past, typically with natural disasters such as hurricanes or wildfires."

Many state courts had already decided to curtail operations during the meetings because of the threat of violent protests. (AP)