The purpose of this summary provided by the Communications Department of The Florida Bar is to present media coverage that may be of interest to members. Opinions expressed in the articles are attributable solely to the authors. The Florida Bar does not adopt or endorse any opinions expressed below. For information on previous articles, please contact the publishing newspaper directly.
October 10, 2019
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The Florida Bar
SERCUS NAMED ‘HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROSECUTOR OF THE YEAR’
The Florida Bar | Article | October 07, 2019
Assistant Statewide Prosecutor and member of The Florida Bar’s Criminal Law Section, Julie Sercus of Tampa, was named “Human Trafficking Prosecutor of the Year” at the 2019 Human Trafficking Summit held Sept. 30 in Orlando. The summit brought together local, state, and national leaders working together to eradicate all forms of trafficking.
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Legislative
JUDGE CALLS FLORIDA FELON VOTING LAW AN ‘ADMINISTRATIVE NIGHTMARE,’ URGES LEGISLATIVE ACTION
WLRN | Article | October 09, 2019
After a two-day hearing and calling the process “an administrative nightmare,” U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle on Tuesday [Oct. 8] urged the Florida Legislature to revamp a state law aimed at carrying out a constitutional amendment that restores voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences. The law was passed this spring and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. It requires felons to pay “legal financial obligations” associated with their crimes, such as fees, fines and restitution, to be eligible to have their voting rights restored. Voting-rights advocates and civil-rights groups filed the challenge.
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Civil Justice
STATE SENATOR ASKS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO JUDGE KASTRENAKES AFTER JUROR JAILED FOR 10 DAYS
Palm Beach Post | Article | October 09, 2019
State Sen. Bobby Powell, D-Riviera Beach, announced Wednesday [Oct. 9] he filed a complaint with the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission asking that Judge John Kastrenakes be investigated for sentencing a man to 10 days in jail and a year of probation for missing jury duty. The Commission is an independent state agency that investigates allegations of judicial misconduct and disability against Florida state judges.
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Civil Justice
MIAMI BEACH’S $20,000 FINES FOR ILLEGAL AIRBNBS STRUCK DOWN IN COURT
Miami Herald | Article | October 09, 2019
Monday [Oct. 7], a Miami-Dade circuit judge struck down the city’s law that fines homeowners up to $20,000 for illegally renting their places short term on sites such as Airbnb. Miami Beach first instituted its escalating fine structure in March 2016. Florida law prohibits local governments from fining residents more than $1,000 a day for code violations. The city’s fines are the most expensive in the country for illegal short-term rentals. In his ruling, Judge Michael Hanzman prohibited the city from enforcing the current fines, saying they are in “jarring conflict with [state law] and are therefore illegal and unenforceable.” The city said Tuesday [Oct. 8] that it would appeal.
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Civil Justice
COLLIER COUNTY SCHOOLS SETTLE LAWSUIT OVER IMMIGRANT STUDENTS
Florida Politics | Article | October 09, 2019
As part of a settlement reached over a 2016 lawsuit filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Collier County School District will now allow students turned away because of limited English skills to appeal decisions. The district denied these students high school enrollment and sent them to a technical center, where they could take adult English courses only. The School Board voted to settle in May. U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Frazier approved the settlement Tuesday [Oct. 8].