Patrick C. Whitaker
Patrick Crisp Whitaker (June 29, 1894 – 1965) was an American defense attorney who served in the
He was born in Franklin, Georgia, the eldest of five siblings born to Georgia state legislator Daniel Brittain Whitaker. He graduated with a law degree from Georgetown University in 1915. He set up a law firm in Tampa in 1917.
Whitaker was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1924 and the State Senate in 1926. He was re-elected in 1930 and served as Senate president from 1931 to 1933.[3] He lost his re-election campaign in 1934, but won again in 1938.
Whitaker argued the case Hale v. Bimco Trading, Inc. before the Supreme Court in 1939. The case involved a charge against the Florida State Road Department enforcing a statute regulating cement inspection.[4]
He liked scotch and cigars and was reputed to take out his false teeth during trials. He also reportedly got youths cleared of a fishing violation by contending that since mullet have gizzards they are not fish but chickens. State regulations were reportedly revised as a result.
References
- ^ Florida, State Library and Archives of. "Patrick C. Whitaker being sworn in as President of the Florida Senate". Florida Memory.
- ^ Lynching and Establishment Violence in Tampa, 1858-1935 pages 636-638
- ^ Florida Senate Handbook
- ^ Hale vs. Bimco Trading, Inc. LegalEagle