GADSDEN COUNTY, FL. (WTXL) - Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young will have to make his case in front of a judge. Young is accused of contempt of court, following charges he released inmates from jail for unapproved furloughs.
Senior Circuit Judge Julian Collins, made the order on January 2nd.
Young's lawyer claims he did not disobey the judicial order not to allow the inmates to go on furlough, since the judge did not issue a direct order to keep defendants in jail.
Judge Collins says, the sheriff is bound by orders issued by a judge and that it is unrealistic to believe he did not know these conditions.
At a hearing in December, State Attorney Willie Meggs argued Young should be held in contempt of court for a practice of letting inmates out of jail.
Attorney Sean Pittman issued a statement following the judge's order.
In it, he says, "Clearly from Judge Collins' decision today more remains to be heard in this matter. The ultimate question in this case is whether or not our client violated any court order. We remain adamant that the record will show Sheriff Young did not violate any court order. This is an important public policy question for all 67 counties in Florida. This case magnifies an inconsistency in Florida law and rules governing the constitutional office of Sheriff and their jails. Sheriff Young believes that the safety and welfare of our citizens is of the utmost importance and this review has become necessary to that end."
