Regina Keenan | On November 13, 2014, the Florida Supreme Court issued an opinion in Citrus County Hospital Board v. Citrus Memorial Health Foundation, Inc. (SC13-411) affirming Citrus Memorial Health Foundation, Inc. v. Citrus County Hospital Board, 108 So. 3d
Court Revisits Life Sentences for Juvenile Offenders, Part 2
Regina Keenan | On March 19, 2005, the Florida Supreme Court issued opinions in Falcon v. State, (SC13-865) and Horsley v. State, (SC13-1938) combined with State v. Horsley, (SC-13-2000). In Miller v. Alabama, 132 S. Ct. 2455 (U.S. 2012), the
Court Revisits Life Sentences for Juvenile Offenders
Kristen Larson | In Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48 (2010), the Supreme Court of the United States held that a Florida law which allowed juveniles to be sentenced to life without parole for nonhomicide crimes was unconstitutional. The Court
March Oral Arguments: Redistricting, Pre-nuptial Agreements, Right to Counsel, and More
Jacek Stramski | The Florida Supreme Court’s oral argument schedule this month proves that the excitement of March madness is not confined to the NCAA basketball tournament. The first case heard by the Court this month was The League of
Supreme Court Looks at Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Kristen Larson | On February 19, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court issued its opinion in Chase v. Horace Mann Insurance Company (SC13-2013). The main issue was whether Richard Chase’s lowering of the uninsured motorist (“UM”) limits in an auto insurance
Florida Bar Seeks Discipline Against Removed Former County Judge
Jacek Stramski | The saga involving former Leon County Judge Judith Hawkins has not ended following her removal from the bench for, among other things, using her office to run a private business by selling a self-published book and for
Court Considers What Must be in a Return of Service of Process
Kristen Larson | On February 5, the Florida Supreme Court issued its opinion in Koster v. Sullivan (SC13-159). The main question was over the facts regarding the manner of service that a return of service was required to list in
Family Law and Judicial Administration Rule and Jury Instruction Changes Adopted
Kristen Larson | On January 22, the Court adopted notable changes to rules of family procedure and judicial administration and jury instructions. Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.451 was adopted to mirror Florida Civil Rule of Procedure 1.451, which
February Oral Arguments: Public Records, Sexual Intercourse, and Bond Validation
Jacek Stramski | The Supreme Court’s February oral argument calendar was just released and a handful of cases will present especially interesting questions to the Court. On February 3, the Court will hear Board of Trustees, Jacksonville, v. Lee (SC13-1315).
Secret Recordings Made by Alleged Victim of Sexual Abuse Prohibited As Evidence
Regina Keenan | On December 11, 2014, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously decided McDade v. State (13-1248). McDade was arrested and charged with various sex crimes after his then sixteen-year-old stepdaughter (Alleged Victim) reported to the police that he had