Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJuly 22, 2016

An injured South Florida nurse who unsuccessfully challenged the state’s workers’ compensation system now wants the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case. Daniel Stahl filed his petition Tuesday, court dockets show. The request has not yet been acted on. In April, the Florida Supreme Court decided not to consider Stahl’s case. After hearing arguments […]

Jim RosicaJuly 20, 2016

Marlena Woods said she stole food from a Jacksonville Wal-Mart only because “she and her four children were homeless and living in the woods, and she (needed) to feed her children and herself.” But an appellate court panel on Wednesday nonetheless upheld her 18-month prison sentence for the shoplifting charge. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court […]

Associated PressJuly 6, 2016

A Florida court is refusing to block a recommendation that a former U.S. congressman and one-time ally of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio should pay nearly $60,000 stemming from an ethics investigation. The 1st District Court of Appeal on Wednesday rejected former U.S. Rep. David Rivera‘s contention that he was denied due process by the Florida […]

Jim RosicaJune 15, 2016

The liquid left over from making methamphetamine can be counted toward its weight for criminal charging purposes, an appellate court has ruled. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal issued its unanimous opinion Wednesday in the case of Ryan Wilder. He was convicted on murder and methamphetamine trafficking charges following a February 2012 drug bust […]

Jim RosicaJune 9, 2016

At first, it looked like a slam dunk. An appeals court Thursday said the Department of Corrections isn’t liable for breaking a lease Brevard County because the rent money wasn’t in the state budget. That sounded like it could take the legal steam from another ongoing dispute between owners of a Tallahassee office complex and several state agencies […]

Jim RosicaJune 2, 2016

M. Kemmerly Thomas, a Tallahassee attorney in private practice, will be the next judge on the 1st District Court of Appeal. Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment Wednesday. The 49-year-old Thomas beat out five others for the opening, caused by the resignation of Judge Ronald V. Swanson. Finalists for the spot included Matthew Carson, general counsel to the Florida House […]

Jim RosicaApril 28, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday decided not to consider a case that challenged the constitutionality of the state’s workers’ compensation system. The move leaves a contentious 2003 overhaul untouched – for now. After hearing arguments in Stahl v. Hialeah Hospital earlier this month, all seven justices agreed to “exercise our discretion and discharge jurisdiction,” the court’s one […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2016

Should satellite-television service be taxed at a higher rate than cable? The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments from both sides Wednesday. Satellite TV companies, including DirecTV, want the court to uphold the 1st District Court of Appeal’s 2-1 decision last year, which said that taxing the two services differently is unconstitutional. The state’s Revenue Department and Florida’s […]

Jim RosicaApril 1, 2016

The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is asking a court to award it more money in a case stemming from a Legislature-created loan program to help companies rebound from the recession. The department asked Circuit Judge Charles Dodson of Tallahassee to amend a final judgment against the Black Business Investment Fund of Central Florida (BBIF) to add prejudgment interest of $201,792 and boost the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 31, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has set June 7 as the date it will hear oral argument in a case on expanding slot machines in the state. The announcement was in a docket filing added Thursday. “A maximum of 20 minutes to the side is allowed for the argument,” the entry says. Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add […]

Tag: 1st District Court of Appeal
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Losing side in worker’s comp case appeals to U.S. Supreme Court

1st DCA upholds homeless mother’s prison sentence for stealing food

Florida court sides against former Miami congressman David Rivera

Meth juice can be counted for charging purposes, court says

Appellate decision may not affect Northwood Centre case

M. Kemmerly Thomas named new 1st DCA judge

Fla. Supreme Court punts on workers’ comp case

State’s highest court talks TV tax

DEO wants more money in business-loans case

Florida Supreme Court orders oral argument in slots case