State and local police agencies in Florida are taking measures to go after suspected violent felons.
In what has been dubbed "Operation Felon Sweep," over 12,000 people have been arrested across the State of Florida on suspicion of violent felonies. Those rounded up in this sweep have been arrested for charges including attempted murder and armed robbery.
Police have also reportedly impounded considerable amounts of marijuana, cocaine, and prescription pills.
Sweeps are heavy-handed efforts at curtailing crime. However, when "sweeps" are in effect, sometimes the goal of catching the suspected criminal becomes more important to the police that the constitutional rights of the accused.
For this reason, based on my experience, when crime sweeps are in effect, the rights of the accused are often trampled upon.
Eric Matheny is a criminal defense attorney serving Miami-Dade and Broward.