[PHOTO CREDIT: iStock / Rawf8]
[Original Publish Date: 03/18/20]
TAVARES, Florida — Lake Legal News is the first to report that in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, numerous non-violent inmates are expected to be released from the Lake County Jail Wednesday, said Lake County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Fred Jones. “This order came down from Chief Judge Heidi Davis,” said LCSO Lt. John Herrell. According to Herrell, “[Judge] Davis conducted an administrative review along with the State Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, the Clerk of the Courts Office, and Sheriff’s Office concerning non-violent inmates incarcerated for misdemeanor cases. The purpose of this review was to consider which inmates could be released on their own recognizance in an effort to limit interactions in the courthouse and lower the jail population somewhat amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“There will be 45 non-violent inmates released,” Jones said.
The inmates will be released on their own recognizance (ROR) and given a court date for a later time, Jones said.
This is a developing story.
Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
