Pubdate: Tue, 19 Sep 2000
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2000, The Tribune Co.
Contact:  http://www.tampatrib.com/
Forum: http://tampabayonline.net/interact/welcome.htm
Section: Florida/Metro page 1
Author: Lyda Longa, Tampa Tribune

STATE ATTORNEY TAKES ON JUDGE OVER DRUG RULINGS

TAMPA - The Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office will challenge the 
decisions of a circuit court judge in three separate drug related cases in 
which stiffer sentences were not handed down despite repeat violations by 
the defendants.

Robin Fuson, head of the state attorney's narcotics division, said Monday 
he will appeal the recent rulings by Circuit Judge Florence Foster.

"This is the first time I will file appeals on dismissal of affidavits for 
violation of probation," Fuson said.

Foster, who said it was not unusual for attorneys to appeal a judge's 
decisions, declined to comment.

According to court files, three defendants charged with crimes ranging from 
trafficking in cocaine to carrying concealed weapons violated probation 
sentences handed down by Foster over the past three years.
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