The need has never been greater for ways to save around the office.  We have a few suggestions:

• Save on ever-increasing database charges.  Did you know your search in LEXIS, WESTLAW, and FLORIDA LAW WEEKLY at the Broward County Law Library is FREE?  And not just a barebones WESTLAW, but great extras like Florida briefs, pleadings and motions; criminal litigation database, DUI package, Florida jury instructions, Florida family law, Couch on insurance, and CJS– to name a few.   Print out at the library, or take the info with you on a flash drive, and use in your office.  E-mail the information to yourself from LEXIS.
• Get your CLE credits via CD rentals from the Law Library; much less expensive than any of the alternatives.  Open the List of CLE’s link above  to see the titles currently available.  They change often.
• Want a specialized treatise, but don’t want the price?  The Law Library offers many, and in many subjects.  Some books circulate;  if not, the law library is a quiet, uninterrupted place to work
• Need a conference room for ten?  We have it here, on a first come/first serve basis.
• Same day FAX service to members anywhere of cases, statutes or regs.  Just call us with the cite.

The Law Library is open to all during week-days, but is open 24/7 to Florida attorneys who have a membership.

Join today at just $60/year and come in anytime – computers and copiers are always on.

BROWARD COUNTY LAW LIBRARY
1800 County Courthouse
201 S.E. 6th Street
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-831-6226

By Jordana Goldstein, Esq.
BCBA President

Over the last several days, I felt compelled to comment on what pundits have described as the “trial of the century,” now that the jury in the Casey Anthony murder trial have rendered their verdict. I believe there are several lessons that can be learned from this trial.

Whether you agree with the verdict or not, the judicial system clearly worked. The prosecution had a difficult circumstantial case. There was no confession by the defendant despite repeated attempts by law enforcement to elicit one, no murder weapon was clearly identified, and the cause and time of Caylee Anthony’s death could not be established with any degree of certainty.

Twelve individuals from completely different walks of life determined that there was simply insufficient evidence to convict Casey Anthony of murder, manslaughter or even child abuse.

The bottom line is that the jurors received instructions which they were told to follow and which they did follow. They recognized the constitutional protection afforded to every citizen who is charged with a crime, namely, that they are innocent until “proven” guilty. They implicitly understood that the prosecution had the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused, which is a very high standard to meet.

By finding that the State had not met their burden, they did what they were supposed to do and that was to acquit Casey Anthony of the most serious charges. Instead of being ridiculed, harassed and even threatened for their decision, the jury should be commended and respected for their verdict no matter how unpopular that may be.

Read the full story in the July-August 2011 issue of the The Barrister.