The Tampa Bay Times in St. Petersburg, Florida, reports that a specialized “sex-offender court” — where offenders often were subject to lengthy harangues and sentences — will be disbanded.
So-called “boutique” courts allow specially assigned lawyers and judges to get steeped in the nuances of a specific area of law. Hillsborough County, Florida, has drug court, probation court, veterans court and animal court, among others. None has drawn attention like that of sex offender court — particularly after the case of accused child pornographer Peter Barnhill. Read the full story.