DNA Database Earns Rep. Snyder a John and Reve Walsh Award

State Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, received the 2011 John and Reve Walsh Award for his DNA Database legislation, during the Florida Missing Childrens Day ceremony in the Capitol courtyard on Monday.

Its not me, this is for the Florida Legislature and the governor, Snyder said.

The law, approved in 2009 and funded in the recent session, collects DNA samples from all suspects arrested for felonies in the state of Florida. Previously, DNA samples could only be taken at the time of conviction.

Identifying the offender early, thats really what the legislation is about, said Snyder, who is foregoing a potential fourth term in 2012 to run for sheriff in Martin County. Taking the DNA at the time of arrest does two things. Early detection. What happens if its a serious felony and theyre in jail for a year before theyre finally convicted? And it really helps exonerate innocent people. It gives us a database and we have the right DNA.