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.
August 09, 2024
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The Florida Bar
FLORIDA WORKGROUP INVITES INPUT ON STREAMLINING UNCONTESTED PROBATE PROCEEDINGS
The Florida Bar | Article | August 09, 2024
The Judicial Management Council’s Workgroup on Uncontested Probate Proceedings, chaired by Judge Michael T. McHugh, will hold a public meeting on September 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. via Zoom. The workgroup, established by AOSC24-20, is tasked with examining Florida’s practices and laws related to uncontested probate proceedings, reviewing other states’ processes, and recommending improvements. Registration for the meeting is required by August 19, with the same deadline for submitting any materials or requesting to speak. Speakers are limited to discussing strategies for improving probate procedures and must adhere to time constraints. The workgroup’s findings will be presented to the Probate Rules Committee for comment before being submitted to the Judicial Management Council by July 1, 2025. Contact Maggie Lewis at [email protected] for questions.
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Civil Justice
FIGHT OVER A FLORIDA SOCIAL MEDIA LAW REEMERGES
News Service of Florida | Article | August 08, 2024
Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on July 1, 2024, Florida and tech-industry groups are set to resume their legal battle over a 2021 state law (SB 7072) that restricts social media platforms. The law, passed after platforms like Facebook and Twitter (now X) banned former President Donald Trump, limits content moderation and imposes penalties on platforms with over $100 million in revenue or 100 million monthly users. A preliminary injunction by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle blocked the law, upheld by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. However, the Supreme Court vacated the ruling, requiring further review. Tech groups NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association filed a motion at the 11th Circuit requesting new briefs to address the Supreme Court’s decision. As of August 2024, Florida has not yet responded to the motion.
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Civil Justice
STATE OF FLORIDA MAY HAVE TO PAY $3.2 MILLION IN LEGAL FEES, AFTER JUDGE THROWS OUT VOTER RESTRICTION LAW
News Service of Florida | Article | August 08, 2024
Voting-rights groups have requested nearly $3.2 million in legal fees and costs following their partial victory against Florida’s 2021 elections law (SB 90). On Wednesday [August 7] the groups filed a motion in Tallahassee, asking Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker to award $2,966,925 in attorney fees and $217,223 in expenses. The lawsuit challenged SB 90, which imposed new mail-in voting restrictions and barred providing snacks or drinks to voters in line. Although Walker ruled in 2022 that the law discriminated against Black voters, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned key parts. However, the court blocked a vague provision that could have restricted giving food or water to voters. Walker had previously declared the groups as “prevailing parties” and eligible for legal cost recovery. The law was passed under Gov. Ron DeSantis and a Republican-controlled legislature after the 2020 election.
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Legal Profession
STATE ATTORNEY TRANSITIONS TO DIGITAL FORENSIC SOFTWARE TO AID CASES
WUFT | Article | August 09, 2024
The State Attorney’s office for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, led by Brian Kramer, is transitioning to NICE Justice, a digital forensic software, replacing the Equity in Sentencing Analysis System (ESAS). ESAS, which analyzed sentencing data across Florida since 1998, was used from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, but was not renewed due to budget constraints. Instead, the office prioritized digital forensic evidence management, signing a three-year contract with NICE Justice at $130,000 annually. The new software streamlines the review of digital evidence by integrating it into a timeline with transcripts. Testing is expected to begin by late August 2024, with full implementation in September.