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Pompano Beach is more than just a seaside city in South Florida. Historically, it was one of the first places in the United States where African American citizens’ rights were (somehow) protected due to the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution. The case was recorded in legal history as ‘Chambers V Florida’.
Hillsboro Club resort – Pompano Beach. ca 1950. Black & white photonegative, 4 x 5 in. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.
The Fourteenth Amendment (aka: ‘The Reconstructive Amendment’) was added to the Bill of Rights in 1868, which was implemented to provide citizenship and legal protection for the African Americans after the American Civil War.
The circumstances in Pompano Beach took place beginning on the night of Saturday, May 13, 1933 at around 9:00 PM when a white man was robbed and murdered.
Between 9:30 and 10:00 PM, an African American male by the name of Charlie Davis was arrested and within 24 hours, a large group of additional African American males were also arrested – all without warrants for the same crime.
For over a week, the group of men accused were held against their will and repeatedly interrogated unlawfully, by local law enforcement without adequate rest or food.
Eventually, after a non-stop, all-night interrogation with intensified aggravation by police, confessions of four prisoners: Jack Williamson, Isiah Chambers, Charlie Davis and Walter Woodward were reported to the State’s Attorney. However, the so-called confessions “were not sufficient” according to the attorney. Afterwards, this scenario was repeated several times and years later taken to the Supreme Court. But according to research, there was never an actual judgement made as all four prisoners supposedly ‘escaped’ and were never captured. Nonetheless, the State’s Attorney and the Amendments saved the men’s lives.
This true story is an excellent example of how fortunate we are today in the United States to be protected by our constitution. It’s also shows why it’s important to know your rights before you’re arrested for a crime.
Pompano Beach Bail Bonds
If you or someone you care about has been arrested in Pompano Beach or the surrounding areas, call or text Bail Bonds Now for help with posting bail. Our bail agents are licensed, experienced and available 24/7. The entire bail bond application process can be completed 100% online without leaving your home. You simply need to contact your local bail agent to receive a user and access code. Call or text (954)-500-9999 anytime, day or night.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IN FLORIDA
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