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.
June 30, 2020
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The Florida Bar
MARSY’S LAW PROCEDURAL RULES ADVANCING
The Florida Bar | Article | June 29, 2020
The Daily News Summary features Florida Bar News articles on professionalism in the electronic age, the new president of the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers and advances in Marcy’s Law. Procedural rules to carry out the Marsy’s Law victims’ rights constitutional amendment have been approved by rules committees. Both are scheduled to be filed with the Supreme Court by the end of July.
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Legislature
‘CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED’: DESANTIS APPROVES SLIMMER $92.2 BILLION FLORIDA BUDGET
Tampa Bay Times | Article | June 29, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced more than $1 billion in vetoes to the state budget on Monday [June 29] in an effort to aid in the state’s economic fallout from the coronavirus. His vetoes included $28 million in hepatitis C treatment for prison inmates, which was required under a settlement agreement with the federal government, and $20 million for a 2nd District Court of Appeal courthouse in St. Petersburg.
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Legislature
GOV. DESANTIS CUTS $2 MILLION PRISON IMPROVEMENT MASTER PLAN
Florida Politics | Article | June 29, 2020
In this year’s historic budget veto, Gov. Ron DeSantis cut $2 million intended to develop a master plan to modernize the state’s correctional infrastructure. The project was a priority for Sen. Jeff Brandes, who says deteriorating correctional facilities across Florida are “barely habitable” for the state’s 90,000 inmates. Brandes says he’ll try again next year to get the master plan approved.
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Judiciary
FDLE ATTORNEY JASON JONES APPOINTED TO LEON COUNTY BENCH
Tallahassee Democrat | Article | June 29, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Jason L. Jones to the Leon County bench last week. Jones has served as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s general counsel since 2015. Before that, he served as an assistant state attorney in the Second Judicial Circuit, which includes Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties. Jones replaces Anthony Miller, who was elevated to the circuit court bench in April.
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Judiciary
U.S. ATTORNEY ESTABLISHES FLORIDA RACE EQUITY CHALLENGE
Jacksonville Daily Record | Article | June 29, 2020
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida is working with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and other Florida Youth Justice Commission partners to launch the Florida Race Equity Challenge. The web-based program will provide stakeholders with education and tools to identify and address issues related to race, equity and inclusion within the juvenile justice system.
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Judiciary
COVID-19 OUTBREAK FORCES ROLLBACK TO PHASE 1 PROTOCOLS AS INFECTIONS HIT COURTS, PROSECUTORS
First Coast News | Article | June 29, 2020
On Monday [June 29], infections forced a rollback of recent steps to reopen Duval County Courts and officials struggled to deal with an outbreak of the coronavirus at the Duval County Jail. Just over a week ago, the jail reported zero cases. That jumped to 20 cases last Monday, a figure that increased every other day for the next six days. The current number of COVID-19 cases in jail as of Monday is 178. Twenty-nine corrections officers also tested positive.
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Judiciary
EARLY LESSONS IN INJUSTICE SHAPED MIAMI-DADE CIRCUIT JUDGE SCOTT BERNSTEIN’S SENSE OF FAIRNESS
Daily Business Review | Article | June 29, 2020
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Scott M. Bernstein knew he wanted to be the type of judge who treated all those before him fairly, regardless of their circumstances. Since beginning his judicial career in 1998, Judge Bernstein has aspired to achieve judicial excellence in the operation of his courtroom and in his interactions with litigants and the lawyers who represent them.
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Tech Tip
NEW SERVICE IN MICROSOFT WORD CHECKS GRAMMAR IN WORD, OUTLOOK AND ON WEBPAGES
The Florida Bar | Tech Tip | June 30, 2020
“Microsoft Editor” is an AI-powered, writing virtual assistant that offers basic suggestions in grammar and spelling as you type. It not only quickly catches typos and mistakes but can help you to communicate more clearly. AND it does so in more than 20 languages!