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.
February 13, 2020
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The Florida Bar
PRESIDENT STEWART POSTS HIS FEBRUARY PRESIDENT’S VIDEO MESSAGE
The Florida Bar | Article | February 13, 2020
The Daily News Summary features Florida Bar News articles on how to respond online to an angry former client, how attorneys should handle clients who have agreements with public adjusters, IOTA fund use and Florida Bar President John Stewart’s February video message. In his video message, Stewart gives an update on The Bar’s priorities during the 2020 Legislative Session, discusses how the Florida Supreme Court is working to keep Florida’s legal system efficient and accessible and lists what Bar members can do to provide input and stay informed.
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Judiciary
FOUR YEARS AFTER PASSING LAW, CORAL GABLES LOSES FIGHT TO BAN STYROFOAM CONTAINERS
Miami Herald | Article | February 12, 2020
The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday [Feb. 12] declined to take up an appeal in a battle about the city of Coral Gables’ attempt to ban the use of Styrofoam food containers. The decision effectively let stand a ruling last year by the Third District Court of Appeal that upheld the constitutionality of state laws that blocked a 2016 Coral Gables ordinance on polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam.
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Judiciary
DEMS STUMBLE IN APPEAL OVER FLORIDA BALLOT LAW SAID TO FAVOR GOP
Courthouse News Service | Article | February 12, 2020
The Eleventh Circuit appeared critical Wednesday [Feb.12] of a suit by Democrats seeking to change the order of candidates on the Florida ballot. Democrats won an injunction last year against the law that gives ballot priority to the party of the governor, but U.S. Circuit Judge William Pryor repeatedly focused appellate arguments Tuesday [Feb. 11] on whether they erred in naming of Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee as defendant to the suit. Although the panel did not indicate when it would reach a decision in the case, it is likely that a decision will be issued before Florida’s March 17 presidential primary election.
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Criminal Justice
PROSECUTORS MISLED JURY IN RAPE CASE AGAINST UBER DRIVER, FLORIDA PANEL FINDS
Law.com | Article | February 12, 2020
The Fourth District Court of Appeal granted a new trial for Uber driver Gary Kitchings who claims he had consensual sex with a passenger, despite allegations that he threatened to shoot her and forced his way into her home. Jurors found Kitchings guilty of three counts of sexual battery, one count of burglary and one count of false imprisonment. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Defense counsel had sought to include a two-and-a-half-hour police interview to defend an implied allegation that Kitchings’ trial testimony was fabricated, but Palm Beach Circuit Judge Krista Marx denied that request. The Fourth DCA criticized prosecutorial techniques that could have misled jurors.
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Legal Discipline
QUINCY LAWYER SUSPENDED; CLIENTS LEFT HANGING
WCTV | Article | February 12, 2020
The Florida Supreme Court has suspended the license of a longtime Gadsden County attorney Sten Sliger, after complaints by clients. The Supreme Court suspended his license indefinitely in December after Sliger did not respond to client complaints and inquiries about those complaints by The Florida Bar.