A state lawmaker wants to stop what he calls “snitching culture.” This is when community members are discouraged from talking to the police. But, one Sunshine Law group is concerned because the bill would block a witness’ information from the public.
State Rep. Edwin Narain, D-Tampa, filed a bill dealing with witnesses to felonies. The bill prohibits a witnesses’ identifying information — like names or addresses — from being released to the public. The exemption lasts until the end of the prosecution or the felony’s statute of limitations expires.
Narain said his bill is a response to a number of local murders where witnesses were scared to come forward.
But president of the First Amendment Foundation Barbara Petersen said the public should be allowed to make their own conclusions about a witness. Continue…
———————