Rep. Cord Byrd

Cracking down on violent protesters and revisiting perhaps overly harsh sentencing laws and guidelines could be priorities for Florida House and Senate criminal justice committees in the upcoming session.

Rep. Cord Byrd, R-Jacksonville Beach and chair of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, said that panel is still sorting out its priorities for the session, but he expects it will address calls from Gov. Ron DeSantis for tougher punishments for rioters who destroy property, injure others, and block traffic. He also said dealing with the aftermaths of the COVID-19 crisis will occupy lawmakers.