06-16-2004, 05:35 AM
Hey, how about getting a fucking job?
If you've got time to deliberate in court, maybe you have time to sweep a fucking floor???
Homeless Challenge Public Drinking Law
Tue Jun 15, 2:17 PM ET
By RON WORD, Associated Press Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - If the rich and powerful can drink in a public park in the weeks before next year's Super Bowl, why can't the homeless do it now? That is the question the lawyer for three homeless men is raising in a court challenge over their arrest for drinking in a park that will be part of a designated party zone before the Super Bowl.
The three men were arrested in February in Treaty Oak Park on charges of drinking in public.
The park is inside a 2 1/2-mile entertainment zone adopted by the City Council in May. Beginning 18 days before the Feb. 6 Super Bowl, laws against open containers, noise pollution and outdoor alcohol sales on city property will be suspended in the zone.
Attorney Tyler McKinney says the zone benefits those attending the Super Bowl festivities, but can be manipulated to discriminate against the poor, she said.
"The city's actions ... show the ordinance has room for selective enforcement and should therefore be held unconstitutionally vague," McKinney said in court papers.
Duval County Judge Charles Cofer has scheduled a hearing for July 23.
City Hall attorney Scott Makar said he believes McKinney's arguments will fail in court. He said the actions of the three men have nothing to do with the Super Bowl.
"These guys were drinking in a public space. What happens in the Super Bowl is irrelevant," Makar said.
The NFL typically requires such entertainment zones in host cities in the weeks leading up to the game in order to extend the festival atmosphere surrounding the Super Bowl.
It unusual for people to challenge public drinking ordinances and most defendants plead guilty. The usual punishment is a night in jail.
If you've got time to deliberate in court, maybe you have time to sweep a fucking floor???
Homeless Challenge Public Drinking Law
Tue Jun 15, 2:17 PM ET
By RON WORD, Associated Press Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - If the rich and powerful can drink in a public park in the weeks before next year's Super Bowl, why can't the homeless do it now? That is the question the lawyer for three homeless men is raising in a court challenge over their arrest for drinking in a park that will be part of a designated party zone before the Super Bowl.
The three men were arrested in February in Treaty Oak Park on charges of drinking in public.
The park is inside a 2 1/2-mile entertainment zone adopted by the City Council in May. Beginning 18 days before the Feb. 6 Super Bowl, laws against open containers, noise pollution and outdoor alcohol sales on city property will be suspended in the zone.
Attorney Tyler McKinney says the zone benefits those attending the Super Bowl festivities, but can be manipulated to discriminate against the poor, she said.
"The city's actions ... show the ordinance has room for selective enforcement and should therefore be held unconstitutionally vague," McKinney said in court papers.
Duval County Judge Charles Cofer has scheduled a hearing for July 23.
City Hall attorney Scott Makar said he believes McKinney's arguments will fail in court. He said the actions of the three men have nothing to do with the Super Bowl.
"These guys were drinking in a public space. What happens in the Super Bowl is irrelevant," Makar said.
The NFL typically requires such entertainment zones in host cities in the weeks leading up to the game in order to extend the festival atmosphere surrounding the Super Bowl.
It unusual for people to challenge public drinking ordinances and most defendants plead guilty. The usual punishment is a night in jail.
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