Local criminal defense attorneys were among the first to report that Fort Lauderdale’s official website was inaccessible today beginning sometime in the early afternoon. Individuals working in the Broward County criminal justice system rely heavily on all of the county websites for information.
It really wasn’t that big of a deal claims Lawyer William Moore. South Florida government websites are routinely down for one reason or another. The information that they provide is available through numerous channels. Apparently, it was an inconvenience to some according to NBC News, however.
See Article in Sun-Sentinel Newspaper
The political activist group who refers to themselves as “Anonymous” took responsibility for intentionally overloading the servers which hosts the city’s website. Recent negative publicity focused on Fort Lauderdale’s inhumane treatment of the homeless motivated an overwhelming number of individuals to respond to requests by “Anonymous” to log on and flood the hosting server. Many of those who responded did not necessarily support the activist group’s previous causes or extremist behavior, per se, in as much as they entirely failed to understand or accept a city that makes it a crime to provide a home cooked meal to hungry people in need.
Out of everything that has happened in this town with respect to government over the last few years, nothing has shocked or even frightened me as much as this claims Michelle Demasters, a life long Broward County resident. How can this possibly be considered legal in this country?
Actions Are Not CriminalAccording to Attorney Moore, it’s not. Many years ago, laws the prohibited begging were found unconstitutional. They violated free speech. Additionally, laws criminalizing homelessness, are just plain wrong. Nothing feels right or good about how we are behaving as a community. Not when there is such action by lawmakers and policing powers as to think for a second that this could be considered fair and just action.
Think about it. Fort Lauderdale has made it a crime to give someone a sandwich. What is even more alarming is that our local government and police force is standing behind there actions. It’s disgusting.
This and other incidents over the last few years have painted an unflattering picture of a system which we would have all rather have grown to have faith in. Instead, people are starting to realize that a policing power is more often abused and misguided than they may have hoped.
If you were a criminal defense attorney in Broward County over the last twenty years, you would understand how bad abuse of power can get in some situations.
The arrest of Arnold Abbott was one of them.
As for criminal charges being filed against the extremist group “Anonymous,” We are currently unsure as to weather or not an investigation is underway. Certainly, the city is grappling with the legal obstacles in criminalizing seemingly non-criminal behavior. Technically, the group did nothing more than to urge a following of people to log on to the city’s official website.
Couldn’t that be considered legal behavior?
Of course it could.
Questions or comments can be directed to Attorney William Moore
William Moore Criminal Defense
110 SE 6th St #1713
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Direct Line:
(954) 523-5333