Thursday, June 6, 2002
John C. Rowell v. Julianne M. Holt

no. 01-2010

Hillsborough County

In the 1960s, Rowell was convicted of a felony. His civil rights were restored in 1975, however, and he thus could lawfully own a firearm. On July 6, 1995, he was arrested and charged with unlawfully owning a firearm because of his prior conviction. He alleged that, despite knowledge of his restored civil rights, his public defender failed to take actions to have him released from jail until July 19. He sued the public defender for lost wages and emotional pain and suffering caused by his incarceration, and the jury awarded him $504.00 in lost wages and $16,500.00 for emotional damages. The Second District Court reversed.