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Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2016

State Rep. Jared Moskowitz on Monday began filing last-minute amendments to the House’s judicial term-limits bill. The measure (HB 197) likely will be dead on arrival when it gets to the Senate. Indeed, the Senate version of the (SB 322) has yet to be heard with three weeks left in the 2016 Legislative Session. Under the legislation, pushed […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 14, 2016

About a quarter-century ago, a pack of Marlboro cigarettes sealed a friendship between the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Florida legal legend Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte. It was December 1991, during D’Alemberte’s tenure as American Bar Association president. Scalia had been on the bench about five years by then. He died Saturday at the age of 79. The two men […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 12, 2016

Florida’s top elections official intends to appeal a federal judge’s decision to keep him in U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown‘s lawsuit concerning the recent congressional redistricting plan. Secretary of State Ken Detzner filed a notice of appeal on Thursday, court records show. Detzner wants the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overrule a decision to deny his motion […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 12, 2016

A former co-worker of retired Judge Jackie Fulford is taking her place on the bench of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which includes the state capital. Gov. Rick Scott this week announced the appointment of Frank Allman Jr. to replace Fulford. Allman and Fulford were both assistant prosecutors under longtime State Attorney Willie Meggs. The 55-year-old Allman, […]

Associated PressFebruary 9, 2016

Legislation requiring a unanimous verdict from the jury to recommend the death penalty will head to the state Senate floor after passing a committee vote Monday. The Senate’s Criminal Justice Committee passed its version of a bill (SB 7068) that would revise Florida’s sentencing process for the death penalty. The Legislature is tasked with rewriting […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 5, 2016

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Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga has been re-elected by his colleagues to serve a second two-year term, the first justice to serve two consecutive terms as chief since the end of the Civil War, according to a Friday news release. “It is a privilege to serve the people of Florida,” Labarga said. “My second term will […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 4, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday struck down as unconstitutional a state law requiring write-in candidates to live in the districts they’re running for when they qualify. The court ruled unanimously in Brinkmann v. Francois (Case No. SC14-1899), though Justices Charles Canady and Ricky Polston “concur(red) in result” only. The case involved a 2014 Broward County […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 4, 2016

A measure that would impose term limits on Florida’s appellate judges has cleared its last House committee, despite critics’ warnings that it will cause a brain drain on the bench. The bill (HB 197) cleared the Judiciary Committee Thursday by a vote of 11-6, sending it to the full Florida House of Representatives. To take effect, it must […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 26, 2016

With the most modest recommendations in at least 10 years, the Florida Supreme Court will suggest lawmakers add just one circuit judge to the 2016-2017 budget. LobbyTools reports that the high court, during its annual analysis of statewide caseloads, will be making the proposal to the Florida Legislature as it considers the upcoming state budget. Facing reduced […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2016

The group behind a proposed constitutional amendment to give voters more control over gambling says it’s gathered 100,000 signatures toward getting on the 2018 ballot. The Voters In Charge committee on Monday said it is sending its latest collected signature to county Supervisors of Elections so they can be validated. The committee is chaired by John Sowinski, who […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court
Sen Rick Scott in Sarasota. Photo by Jacob Ogles.

Jared Moskowitz still trying to amend judicial term limits bill

Jim Rosica: Sandy D’Alemberte has fond memories of Antonin Scalia

Ken Detzner files notice of appeal in Corrine Brown lawsuit

Veteran prosecutor tapped for Tallahassee-area judgeship

Bill requiring unanimous verdict for death penalty in Florida advances

Jorge Labarga to repeat as state’s chief justice

State Supreme Court strikes down write-in residency law

Judicial term limits OK’d by final House committee

State Supreme Court to recommend only one new judge in upcoming budget

Anti-gambling amendment cracks 100,000-signature mark