Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanMarch 14, 2016

Florida has a new death-sentencing law to replace what the U.S. Supreme Court threw out two months ago. On balance, it’s an improvement. Jurors must now identify, unanimously, any of the reasons — what the law calls aggravating circumstances — why a person they have convicted of a capital crime should die rather than serve […]

Julie DelegalFebruary 24, 2016

The Florida Senate has the chance to repair the state’s death penalty statutes in a way that won’t invite years of litigation. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court declared Florida’s death penalty procedures unconstitutional. Until the Legislature acts, the state’s prosecutors have no legal avenue for pursuing death penalty cases. House Bill 7101 is a […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 27, 2016

(First of three parts) To find someone guilty of a crime — any crime — jurors have to agree unanimously. Not so to impose the death penalty. Not here in Florida. And that’s why Florida’s death penalty sentencing procedure is in constitutional hot water. As Florida law stands now, after jurors find a defendant guilty […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 18, 2016

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Florida’s death penalty sentencing system last week, declaring it violates defendants’ Sixth Amendment Rights to trial by jury. In response to the Hurst v. Florida decision, a Jacksonville coalition of civic and faith groups — Justice 4 Jacksonville — is calling on State Attorney Angela Corey to stop action […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 17, 2016

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Florida’s death penalty sentencing system last week, declaring that it violates defendants’ Sixth Amendment Rights to trial by jury. In response to the Hurst v. Florida decision, a Jacksonville coalition of civic and faith groups — Justice 4 Jacksonville — is calling on State Attorney Angela Corey to stop […]

Bob SparksJanuary 14, 2016

On Tuesday night, the U.S. House and Senate gathered in a joint session to hear President Barack Obama deliver his final State of the Union address. Tuesday morning, the Florida House of Representatives and Senate also convened in joint session for Gov. Rick Scott’s State of the State remarks. These speeches normally provide a roadmap […]

Martin DyckmanJanuary 14, 2016

Nothing else that government does costs as much as the death penalty in order to accomplish so little. That ought to concern even the most conservative legislators as they cope with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision Tuesday, in Hurst v. Florida, that the state’s capital sentencing process is unconstitutional. The choice now is to […]

Martin DyckmanJanuary 13, 2016

Nothing else that government does costs as much as the death penalty in order to accomplish so little. This ought to concern even the most conservative legislators as they cope with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision Tuesday, in Hurst v. Florida, that the state’s capital sentencing process is unconstitutional. The choice now is to […]

Martin DyckmanMarch 9, 2014

Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court set off a useful debate over her frank views on the importance of diversity among judges. Personal experiences, she explained, “affect the facts that judges choose to see.” To be confirmed, she had to walk back some from a celebrated quote that a “wise Latina with […]

Tag: Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Martin Dyckman: Despite new law, Florida’s death penalty process flawed

Julie Delegal: Legislature’s death penalty “fix” is flawed

Julie Delegal: Lawmakers ignored warnings about death-penalty sentencing law

Julie Delegal: Jacksonville coalition asks State Attorney to suspend seeking capital punishment

Julie Delegal: Jacksonville coalition asks State Attorney to suspend seeking capital punishment

Bob Sparks: U.S. Supreme Court adds to Legislature’s “to do” list

Martin Dyckman: U.S. Supreme Court ruling should prompt Legislature to abolish death penalty

Martin Dyckman: Supreme Court ruling should prompt Legislature to abolish death penalty

Martin Dyckman: LaBarga’s opinion demonstrates need for minority appointments