Osceola

Osceola County Champions Hands-Free Driving Law to Combat Distracted Driving Menace

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OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — In an effort to combat the escalating issue of distracted driving, leaders in Osceola County are advocating for stricter laws that would prohibit the use of handheld devices while driving throughout Florida. The proposed legislation, currently making its way through the Florida Senate, aims to make Florida a hands-free state. Local officials recently passed a resolution in support of the legislation, reflecting their commitment to improving road safety. The move comes after a noticeable rise in traffic incidents attributed to drivers distracted by electronic devices. Community support for the bill is … Read more

Motorcyclist Engulfed in Flames Sues Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Citing Excessive Force for Minor Offenses

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OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Following a high-speed pursuit in February 2022 that resulted in a motorcyclist being severely burned, a lawsuit has been filed against the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. The lawsuit highlights allegations of an institutional culture that encouraged harsh and forceful law enforcement tactics even for minor violations. The incident, which received widespread attention, involved Jean Barreto, a motorcyclist who was engulfed in flames after a deputy used a taser on him while he was soaked in gasoline at a gas station. The shocking moment occurred amid deputies’ response to a report of … Read more

Osceola County Judge Publicly Reprimanded for Inappropriately Delaying Court Judgements

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Osceola County, Florida – An Osceola County judge has received a public reprimand and will be closely monitored following an investigation that determined he caused inappropriate delays in issuing rulings for certain cases. The investigative panel discovered that attorneys began lodging complaints about Judge John Beamer’s delays in 2021, approximately a year after he was assigned to preside over domestic law cases in the Ninth Circuit. At that time, he was stationed in Orange County. The panel’s findings revealed that many attorneys involved in the affected cases scheduled hearings to request rulings from Judge Beamer. … Read more

Osceola County Sheriff’s Deputies Cleared in Target Shooting, Grand Jury Decision Stirs Controversy

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OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A grand jury in Central Florida has concluded its deliberations on charges against Osceola County Sheriff’s deputies involved in a shooting that resulted in the death of a 21-year-old man. After careful consideration, the grand jury determined that formal charges against the two officers were not legally warranted. This case marks the first instance of a deadly force incident being presented to a grand jury under the policy implemented by State Attorney Andrew Bain. The policy requires that all law enforcement uses of deadly force be reviewed by a grand jury … Read more