Thurston Calls for Special Session of Legislature

Under a seldom used section of the Florida Constitution and other statutes, Florida House Democratic Caucus Leader Perry E. Thurston, Jr., has written to Secretary of State Ken Detzner requesting that a special session of the Florida Legislature be convened to “review and revise Florida laws and policies regarding justifiable use of force.”

“I make this request for a special session based on my belief that there is demonstrable confusion within and among police departments, prosecuting offices and the courts about the application of the law,” wrote Thurston in an August 1st, letter to Detzner.  “As presently crafted, the statutes have not simply helped law-abiding citizens protect themselves from attack, but rather they have been used as cover for perpetrators of crimes.”

Since George Zimmerman was acquitted by an almost all white all female jury in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teen, there have been increasing calls for a review and revision of Florida’s justifiable use of force laws, including the controversial “Stand Your Ground” law.  And while typically, Gov. Rick Scott would convene a special session to review these laws, the governor has said he has no plans to do so.

According to the Florida Constitution and other statutes, if thirty-two members of the Legislature submit letters or certificates calling for a special session, Detzner would need to poll the remaining members of the House and Senate to determine if there is a three-fifths majority or ninety-six legislators willing to review and address the current flaws in Florida’s justifiable use of force provisions.

While Detzner is expected to receive similar letters from other legislators calling for a special session, it is unknown at this time if thirty-one other certificates would be forthcoming.

According to a spokesperson from the Democratic Office in Tallahassee, similar polling has been undertaken previously, but a special session has never been convened under these circumstances in recent memory.

Thurston’s letter was also sent to House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz.