Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineFebruary 21, 2017

Bills that would require unanimous jury votes to impose the death penalty, and ask voters whether to impose term limits on appellate judges, were headed to the House floor following their approval Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee. The death penalty bill attracted a single “no” vote, and that was from Democrat Joe Geller, who said […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 21, 2017

A bill aimed at speeding up the handling of political redistricting court cases cut it close Tuesday, clearing its second Senate committee by a 4-3 party-line vote. The legislation (SB 352) was OK’d by the Senate Ethics and Election Committee, with all three Democrats on the panel voting no. The bill is a response to court challenges over […]

Associated PressFebruary 20, 2017

Florida prosecutors can seek the death penalty in ongoing cases despite a state Supreme Court ruling that found a new death penalty law unconstitutional. The court ruled Monday that the death penalty can be applied as long as there is a unanimous jury recommendation. It ruled last October that a new state law requiring at […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2017

The organization responsible for writing the state’s bar examination is looking for two good lawyers. The Florida Board of Bar Examiners has two openings for attorney-members, it said in a Monday news release. Applicants have to be “practicing lawyers with scholarly attainments” and must have been a member of The Florida Bar for at least five years. Sorry, […]

Associated PressFebruary 16, 2017

A state Supreme Court order blocking enforcement of Florida’s 24-hour abortion waiting period will remain in place while a lower court determines whether the law is constitutional. The Florida Supreme Court issued its ruling Thursday, leaving in place its order from 10 months ago. The court said there’s a strong likelihood that a lower court […]

Michael MolineFebruary 16, 2017

The Florida Supreme Court has taken a narrow view of the amount of evidence hospitals and other health care providers are obliged to turn over to insurance companies concerning the reasonableness of personal injury protection claims. In a unanimous ruling, the court sided with the 1st District Court of Appeal over the 4th District Court […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2017

In yet another rejection of a policy backed by conservative lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott, the Florida Supreme Court Thursday “declined” to change the state’s expert evidence rule to one used by federal courts and most states. “We decline to adopt the Daubert Amendment to the extent that it is procedural, due to the constitutional concerns raised, which must […]

Michael MolineFebruary 9, 2017

A House committee voted Thursday to approve three proposals to tie the hands of Florida’s judiciary, including a proposed constitutional amendment to impose term limits on judges of courts of appeal and Supreme Court. Altogether, the measures would limit appellate judges to two six-year terms; remove a judicial education program from the Supreme Court’s supervision; […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 6, 2017

The Florida Bar wants lawyer-spouses of military members stationed in Florida to be able to practice law here without having to take the state bar exam. The Bar, which regulates the state’s 100,000-plus licensed attorneys, filed its request with the Florida Supreme Court last week. The change would require court approval. Twenty-three other states, including […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 3, 2017

Florida’s chief justice Friday publicly defended his decision to allow Justice James E.C. Perry to continue working on cases after his retirement. On Dec. 1, Jorge Labarga assigned Perry “senior” status for a period after his mandatory Dec. 30 retirement. News since surfaced that the Florida House of Representatives, led by Republican Speaker Richard Corcoran, was preparing a legal challenge […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court

Judicial term limits, death penalty bills clear final House committee votes

Redistricting overhaul barely clears second Senate panel

Florida prosecutors can seek death penalty despite questions

Bar exam board seeking two lawyer members

Florida abortion waiting period law temporarily blocked

Supreme Court limits information insurers may demand under PIP policies

Supreme Court rejects evidence standard supported by Rick Scott, lawmakers

House panel approves three measures tamping down on the judiciary

Lawyers married to military could bypass bar exam in Florida

Jorge Labarga answers critics about James E.C. Perry’s ‘senior’ service