Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressFebruary 15, 2016

The presidential election just got real. The unexpected death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia — and the immediate declaration from Republicans that the next president should nominate his replacement — adds even more weight to the decision voters will make in November’s general election. For months, the candidates have espoused theoretical, sometimes vague, policy […]

Associated PressFebruary 13, 2016

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia kept your attention, whether you liked him or not. He was a big personality who rather enjoyed the spotlight, and he did not often shy from controversy. Scalia deeply influenced a generation of conservative legal thinkers and was a lightning rod for criticism from the left almost from the moment […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2016

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is cheering the U.S. Supreme Court, a day after they agreed in a 5-4 decision to halt enforcement of President Obama‘s sweeping plan to address climate change until after the resolution of legal challenges. “This U.S. Supreme Court order is a huge victory for Florida families, businesses and the rule of law,” […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 9, 2016

His reputation as a harsh critic of the Voting Rights Act and an advocate for corporations preceded John Roberts to his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2005. As chief justice, he said, he would be like a baseball umpire impartially calling balls and strikes. “Umpires don’t make the rules. They apply […]

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 […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 8, 2016

His reputation as a harsh critic of the Voting Rights Act and an advocate for corporations preceded John Roberts to his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2005. As chief justice, he said, he would be like a baseball umpire impartially calling balls and strikes. “Umpires don’t make the rules. They apply […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 29, 2016

Last of three parts When asked which death row inmates could be affected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Jan. 12 ruling, “Hurst v. Florida,” Jacksonville criminal defense attorney Gray Thomas says, theoretically, “all of them.” The penalty-phase procedure that gives the judge the final word was written into Florida law after the U.S. Supreme Court […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 28, 2016

Last of three parts When asked which death row inmates could be affected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s January 12 ruling, Hurst v. Florida, Jacksonville criminal defense attorney Gray Thomas says, theoretically, “all of them.” The penalty-phase procedure that gives the judge the final word was written into Florida law after the U.S. Supreme Court […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 27, 2016

Second of three parts ACLU staff attorney Adam Tebrugge and Jacksonville criminal defense attorney D. Gray Thomas say that Florida law destroys the jury-deliberations process in the penalty phase of first-degree murder trials. But they are not the first people who have noticed the difference between a majority vote and a unanimous one. And it’s […]

Scott PowersJanuary 27, 2016

Before the end of this session, the Florida Senate will pass a reform of death penalty laws, Criminal Justice Committee Chairman Greg Evers vowed Wednesday after hearing legal experts say Florida’s system needs reform even without the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down part of it two weeks ago. Evers also declared, “the state of […]

Tag: U.S. Supreme Court

Supreme Court vacancy is tangible test for 2016 candidates

Justice Antonin Scalia kept your attention, whether you liked him or not

Pam Bondi cheers Supreme Court halting President Obama’s Clean Power Plan

Martin Dyckman: Justice John Roberts has hurt minorities, consumers, democracy

Bill requiring unanimous verdict for death penalty in Florida advances

Martin Dyckman: Justice John Roberts has hurt minorities, consumers, democracy

Julie Delegal: More questions than answers after court’s death-penalty ruling

Julie Delegal: More questions than answers after court’s death-penalty ruling

Julie Delegal: The Florida Legislature’s history of intransigence

Greg Evers vows Florida Senate will reform Florida’s death penalty law