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 14, 2019
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The Florida Bar
BOARD TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS IN DECEMBER
The Florida Bar | Article | October 14, 2019
The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancies to be filled during its December meeting: Florida Realtor-Attorney Joint Committee, Florida Rural Legal Services, and the Eleventh Circuit Judicial Conference. Completed applications must be received no later than the close of business on Friday, Oct. 25.
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Legislative
DECEMBER ARGUMENTS SET ON PRIMARY PROPOSAL
FOX | Article | October 12, 2019
The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments Dec. 3 about whether it should sign off on a proposed constitutional amendment that would make major changes in the state’s primary-election system. The political committee All Voters Vote needs Supreme Court approval of the ballot wording before the proposal could go before voters in November 2020. Under the proposal, registered voters would be able to cast ballots in primaries regardless of political affiliation.
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Legal Profession
PALM BEACH CHIEF JUDGE SAYS SHE CAN’T COMMENT ON JUROR CASE
Sun Sentinel | Article | October 12, 2019
After national outrage erupted when Palm Beach Judge John Kastrenakes sent a juror who overslept to jail for 10 days, Palm Beach County Chief Circuit Judge Krista Marx Saturday released a statement that says her position prevents her commenting. “It is also important to know that my Chief Judge authority does not extend to investigating or disciplining my fellow judicial officers for allegations of judicial misconduct,” she said, adding: “In the event a complaint is filed against a judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit with the Judicial Qualifications
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Criminal Justice
MIAMI JUDGE ORDERS PRISON RELEASE OF AILING MUSLIM CLERIC CONVICTED OF SUPPORTING TALIBAN
Bradenton Herald | Article | October 11, 2019
Despite opposition from the U.S. government, a federal judge ordered the release Friday [Oct. 11] of former Miami imam Hafiz Khan, ruling that because the convicted Taliban supporter is dying at a North Carolina prison facility, he no longer poses a terrorism threat and can be transferred to a hospice care center. U.S. District Judge Robert Scola granted the “compassionate release” request made by the 84-year-old Muslim cleric’s three sons and the Miami Federal Public Defender’s Office under a new law known as the First Step Act.
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Criminal Justice
JURY CONVICTS HIT MAN IN SHOOTING OF FSU PROFESSOR, DECLARES MISTRIAL FOR GIRLFRIEND
Miami Herald | Article | October 11, 2019
A Miami man, Sigfredo Garcia, 37, was convicted of first-degree murder Friday [Oct. 11] in the death of Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel, but a mistrial was declared for Garcia’s girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua, whom prosecutors considered the crucial connection to the in-laws they believe conspired to have him killed. Garcia’s sentencing trial will start on Monday [Oct. 14] and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
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Criminal Justice
FEDERAL PRISON GUARD CHARGED WITH SNEAKING IN ITEMS FOR INMATES AND TAKING BRIBES
Miami Herald | Article | October 11, 2019
Victor Manuel DeJesus Jr., 47, of Miami-Dade County, appeared before a magistrate judge Friday [Oct. 11] on charges of conspiring to commit bribery and related counts. He is accused of accepting thousands of dollars in bribes from inmates in exchange for sneaking in cellular phones, cigarettes and other contraband for them. If convicted, DeJesus could face several years in prison.
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Civil Justice
MARTIN COUNTY ENVIRONMENTALIST MAGGY HURCHALLA TAKES MALICE DISPUTE TO FLORIDA SUPREME COURT
WPTV | Article | October 14, 2019
In a case involving questions about First Amendment rights and allegations of malice, a prominent South Florida environmentalist has gone to the state Supreme Court in a battle stemming from her opposition to a project that included limerock mining. She will ask the Supreme Court to overturn a 4th District Court of Appeal ruling that upheld a $4.4 million verdict against her, according to documents posted Friday [Oct. 11]. A three-judge panel of the appeals court in June rejected arguments by Maggy Hurchalla that her communications with Martin County officials about the project were protected by the First Amendment.