Jury Trials via Zoom? Yes, it's actually happening now as the Courts adapt to Covid-19 and have started a pilot program of not only using Zoom for jury trials, but also publishing them live on YouTube. Having done numerous jury trials in my career I am finding it interesting and as I watch jury selection live in a Miami-Dade case I am very impressed with the demeanor of the Judge and the members of the jury panel. Will this format be the trials of the future too? Since the outbreak I have done countless depositions and mediations via Zoom (or other virtual platforms), which have worked very well. However, I have concerns about a full blown jury trial via Zoom. There are many exhibits that have to be entered and the in-person face to face is important. So far, from what I've seen, I think it looks like it's a sufficient solution to avoid a big docket backlog. The Circuits in the Tampa Bay Area are not yet participating in Zoom trials, so we'll see.
RIP Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an example of what every lawyer should strive to be even if you're not a Supreme Court Justice. Always looking out for the disenfranchised, a champion of women's causes, and a trailblazer that should bring inspiration to even those who see things politically different. I admired her greatly.
Happy Independence Day everyone! Thank you to the Patriots who liberated us from the tyrannical King George III and allow us to celebrate our independence!
Richey Elementary School
May 20 at 10:27 AM ·
THANK YOU | We are always blown away by the amazing support of our local community. Scott M. McPherson, P.A. reached out to local restaurants and purchased meal vouchers for us to give our families. #AllPawsIn #EveryTiger
Thank you Boulevard Beef & Ale, Rose's Bistro Off Main LLC, Cristiano's Pizza and Pasta, Melt’d and The Social NPR for providing generous prices allowing Scott M. McPherson, P.A. to purchase more vouchers to assist more families.
UPDATE: We have further expanded the meal voucher program (described in detail earlier this week) to include HEROS DOWNTOWN SUBS & SALADS. Yet another downtown establishment that wanted to be involved to help the community during this difficult time. Thank you to John Beebe and Heros Downtown Subs! This will result in an additional 50 vouchers on top of all the vouchers already going out next week!
PLEASE NOTE: As per the description of the program originally posted, the printed vouchers will be disbursed by social workers at local schools. Please do not attempt to print the vouchers posted, as they were just samples for illustration and to promote and thank the various restaurants. We apologize if this created any confusion!
I don’t normally post about charitable donations made by my law firm or me; however, in this instance I am doing so as I need to thank several local restaurants whom have stepped-up and worked with us. A little backstory that started as a vague idea: My wife, Kim, and me started talking about 2 areas of local concern stemming from Covid: The struggling restaurant owners, and children who rely on school lunches. We came up with an idea we thought would be a “win-win”: Create a budget and then approach several Downtown restaurants about the idea of them offering up a meal option at a discount (but also at a profit to benefit them). The response was heartwarming given these restaurants’ own current struggles. Each of them not only were on-board, but generous. For the amount of our financial contribution, we were hoping to create 300 vouchers; WE GOT 500 MEAL VOUCHERS due to their generous pricing.
These are the restaurants involved and the dishes for each voucher:
BOULEVARD BEEF & ALE - Penne Pasta with Julienned Chicken and Sautéed Veggies.
ROSE’S BISTRO - Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy with Side Salad.
CRISTIANO’S PIZZA and PASTA - Large Cheese Pizza.
MELT’D - Ham & Cheese or Turkey & Cheese Sandwich (grilled or regular), Chips and Juice or Water.
THE SOCIAL NEW PORT RICHEY: Meatloaf or Chicken Truffle with Rice, Mashed Potatoes or Fries, and House or Caesar Salad.
Thank you so much to each restaurant! (We’ll be calling you tomorrow with credit card info, we didn’t forget!)
Finally, I want to mention that my wife, Kim, and her sister, Jennifer, make quite a dynamic duo and really hustled on this by approaching restaurants with the idea, and then collaborated with social workers from Richey Elementary and Gulf Middle. These vouchers will be turned over to the school social workers so that they can disburse them to children most in need due to low income housing.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Hit-And-Run fatalities increased by 18% in 2020. This is despite an overall 13% reduction in Hit-and-Run crashes.
The vast majority of Hit-And-Run fatalities in the last several years in Florida occurred during either dawn, dusk, or night-time conditions. In addition to using extra caution while driving during those times, pedestrians or bicyclists can also take steps to help prevent a tragedy by increasing their visibility with lights and reflectors.
Fleeing the scene of a crash not only results in criminal liability, but also increased exposure to civil liability for the damages of the person injured or killed. While staying at the scene of a crash may not relieve you of criminal or civil liability, it is very clearly the right thing to do (it is the law) and may help save a life.
https://www.flhsmv.gov/2021/02/01/hit-and-run-crash-fatalities-rise-in-2020-floridians-reminded-to-stay-at-the-scene/
FLHSMV.GOV
Hit-And-Run Crash Fatalities Rise In 2020, Floridians Reminded To Stay At The Scene - Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Congratulations to our home town team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for making it to Super Bowl LV! Coming home for the big game!
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Breaking: Brady, Bucs down Packers; headed to SB https://www.nfl.com/news/tom-brady-buccaneers-stave-off-packers-for-nfc-championship-game-win-trip-to-sup
NFL.COM
Tom Brady, Buccaneers stave off Packers for NFC Championship Game win, trip to Super Bowl LV
Another COVID Update: On January 7, 2021, the Pasco Clerk announced that jury trials in Pasco County are suspended indefinitely due the recent surge in positive COVID-19 tests in the local area. Hopefully this suspension will be lifted in the near future, but it will require the positivity rate in Pasco to decline before jury trials can resume. However, due to the time between being summoned and reporting for jury duty, residents of Pasco County may still receive juror summonses and will need to follow the instructions provided by the Clerk of Court.
For our clients waiting to get a trial date for their case, please stay tuned for further updates and we will keep you informed.
https://www.pascoclerk.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=112
PASCOCLERK.COM
Pasco County Clerks, FL
Covid Update: The Pasco Clerk announced today that jury trials are starting back-up in Pasco County. While this pleases me from the standpoint that I like to keep cases moving forward, and have several ready for trial, it will definitely pose challenges during jury selection and the examination of witnesses while wearing a mask. To clients awaiting a trial date: Stay tuned as more details and the backlogged Court docket comes into focus.
