Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 24, 2016

It’s been nearly five months since the Florida Supreme Court heard arguments over whether to expand slot machines in the state. Though the justices never set a timeline on when to expect a decision, the smart money says: Expect something by early next year. That’s because that’s when the Legislature will start drawing up the state budget, […]

Associated PressOctober 22, 2016

Attorney General Pam Bondi, warning that murder trials across the state could be placed in limbo, has asked the Florida Supreme Court to clarify a sweeping death penalty ruling it handed down last week. In two linked cases, the court first concluded that death sentences must require a unanimous jury and then struck down a […]

Michael MolineOctober 20, 2016

State law limits a homeowner’s rights under a sinkhole policy once the insurer becomes insolvent and the claim goes to the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday. It doesn’t matter if the policy was issued before a statute constraining the association’s obligation took effect, Justice Charles Canady wrote for a unanimous […]

Jim RosicaOctober 18, 2016

The state’s highest court has set oral arguments in an appeal of a punitive damages award against the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. The Florida Supreme Court, which accepted jurisdiction this May, will hear the case March 8, court filings show. At trial, a jury found smoker James E. Schoeff 25 percent at fault in his death. He had “died from […]

Jim RosicaOctober 14, 2016

Florida House Speaker-designate Richard Corcoran said he was “profoundly disappointed” by Friday’s state Supreme Court opinion invalidating part of the state’s death penalty. The court ruled 5-2 that death sentences require a unanimous jury, striking down a new law allowing a defendant to be sentenced to death as long as 10 out of 12 jurors recommend it. “Make […]

Associated PressOctober 14, 2016

The fate of convicted killers on Florida’s death row – as well as the fate of people awaiting trial for murder – was put in limbo Friday after the Florida Supreme Court ruled that death sentences require a unanimous jury. By a 5-2 vote the court struck down a newly enacted law allowing a defendant […]

Michael MolineOctober 14, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott accepted Florida Supreme Court Justice James E.C. Perry’s resignation Friday and gave the Judicial Nominating Commission until Dec. 13 to submit a list of possible replacements. “The commission’s expeditious handling of this matter is most appreciated,” the governor said in a letter to commission chairman Jason Unger. To replace Perry, the state’s […]

Guest AuthorOctober 12, 2016

As the chair-elect of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Florida Bar, I believe it is important to correct misconceptions and misstatements made by the head of the Florida Chamber regarding Florida’s workers’ compensation system and the attorneys who represent injured Floridians. In a recent column, Mark Wilson and the Chamber suggest the workers’ compensation […]

Guest AuthorOctober 10, 2016

Attention Florida business owners — in case you missed it, you are about to be hit with a workers’ compensation insurance increase that you most likely haven’t planned for, all for the benefit of Florida’s billboard trial lawyers. This week, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation approved a 14.5 percent workers’ compensation rate increase that […]

Martin DyckmanOctober 8, 2016

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What sort of Supreme Court justices would Donald Trump appoint? For an insight, consider the case of Kathy Johnson v. Omega Insurance Co., decided by the Florida Supreme Court Sept. 29. One of his prospective nominees was on the wrong side of that. The business model of an insurance company is to take as much […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court

Slot machine decision could come in time for session

Pam Bondi wants court to clarify death penalty ruling

Supreme Court: Policyholders’ rights restricted after insurer goes broke

Court orders oral arguments in smoking death case

Reacting to death penalty decision, Richard Corcoran says courts ‘subvert will of the people’

Florida Court: Jury must unanimously agree on death penalty

Rick Scott begins search for Supreme Court justice’s replacement

Paul M. Anderson: Stereotypes won’t help Florida workers – or produce real reform

Mark Wilson: Rising workers’ comp rates hurt businesses

Martin Dyckman: Donald Trump pick Charles Canady could bring ‘dog whistles’ to SCOTUS