A bill—moving through the Florida Legislature —would require a special hearing to determine if violent criminals who violate probation should be allowed to stay out of jail. It’s called a “danger to the community” hearing… and it’s part of the “Anti-Murder Act of 2005.” The bill sailed through the House Criminal Justice Committee Monday with unanimous approval… but must still gain House and Senate support. Florida Attorney General – Charlie Crist – says last year’s abduction and murder of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia in Sarasota prompted the bill.

“The individual who committed that crime had already gone to jail in Florida for a violent act. They were serving their time and had completed doing so, were put on probation…violated their probation, went before a judge who let them continue to stay out…and then he went and visited Carlie.”

The Anti-Murder Act is co-sponsored by Representative Bruce Kyle – a Fort Myers Republican…and Republican Senator Rudy Garcia, of Miami-Dade. If passed, the bill would require a judge to sign a written order stating any violent criminal who violated their probation is NOT a danger to their community. Otherwise, it’s back to jail. Crist says this would create a new layer of accountability…

“That’s exactly what we’re trying to…have greater accountability of the criminal justice system to make sure that we do the first order of business…which is, according to the founding fathers, ensure domestic tranquility…make sure that our children and our families are safe.”

The proposal would mean $50 million in administrative costs…Crist calls that a drop in the bucket compared to Florida’s $62 billion annual budget.