October 10, 2025

1. The Florida Bar

   STATE ATTORNEYS, PDS ASK LAWMAKERS FOR RESOURCES AMID JUDICIAL EXPANSION

   The Florida Bar | Article | October 10, 2025

   Prosecutors and public defenders on Wednesday [Oct. 8] asked lawmakers for more resources to meet a host of challenges, including rising caseloads associated with a flood of new judges. The Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis last session agreed to fund 39 new judgeships for FY 2025-26, including 22 circuit judgeships, 15 county court judgeships, and two new judges for the Sixth District Court of Appeal. Addressing a Senate spending committee, Eighth Circuit State Attorney Brian Cramer said a survey of Florida’s 20 circuits determined that 14 of the new judges will serve in criminal divisions throughout the state. Prosecutors are asking $8.7 million to pay for 76 additional staff to handle the workload, Cramer said. The estimate is based, in part, on assigning three assistant state attorneys, and two support staff, to each judge, said Cramer, who serves as treasurer of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association.

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   • GOVERNOR APPOINTS STONE TO THE BENCH

2. Judicial Discipline

   BROWARD JUDGE STEFANIE MOON REPRIMANDED BY FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

   South Florida Sun Sentinel | Article | October 09, 2025

   Broward Circuit Judge Stefanie Moon stood before the Florida Supreme Court Thursday [Oct. 9] for a public reprimand over her misconduct on the bench, stoically enduring an embarrassing recitation of “unacceptable” behavior she committed last year. The Supreme Court reprimand closes out the disciplinary case for Moon, who was accused of asking an attorney from the bench why he had not returned a fundraising call, engaging in ex-parte communication with a witness in a case where a woman was seeking a restraining order against an alleged stalker, and making partisan political contributions. “Your behavior in these instances is unacceptable,” said Carlos Muniz, chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Moon, who did not dispute the allegations before the Judicial Qualifications Commission, had already served a 10-day suspension and paid a $2,115 fine. She did not speak during her appearance before the Supreme Court, which lasted under three minutes.

3. Judiciary

   ‘NOT A WAY TO LIVE’: AI IS FUELING VIOLENT THREATS AGAINST WOMEN JUDGES

   WLRN Public Media | Article | October 09, 2025

   Two years have passed, but Judge Jennifer Johnson cannot erase the death threat from her mind. The violent, 3-minute video appeared on TikTok in September 2023 — a frightening example of how AI technology has led to growing threats against women in public office. Johnson, who oversees cases in Dixie County, Florida, spoke publicly about the threat for the first time last week, showing a video during a forum that gathered women state judges to discuss security concerns. There’s no data capturing the full scope of how AI is affecting women judges specifically, but one study published last year by The American Sunlight Project (ASP) sheds light on how this is affecting women in Congress. Their team identified tens of thousands of sexually explicit AI-generated images and videos depicting 26 senators and members of Congress, according to the report. Other research suggests that the growth of AI technology has led to rising threats against public figures at all levels.

4. Criminal Justice

   EX-TEACHERS UNION PRESIDENT FACES UP TO 70-YEAR SENTENCE AFTER GUILTY PLEA

   Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | Article | October 09, 2025

   On Oct. 9, U.S. Magistrate Judge Samuel Horovitz said the maximum potential sentence for former Duval Teachers United President Terrie Brady, who pleaded guilty in Jacksonville’s federal court to single counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering, is 70 years behind bars. Each of the four crimes were outlined in a 14-count indictment she has faced since December 2024. “Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?” Judge Horovitz asked Brady, who answered “yes, sir” in a hushed tone. Before the hearing, Brady had signed a plea agreement that recounted how she and Ruby George, DTU’s former executive vice president, exploited their positions to collect more than $1 million each through illegitimate reimbursements, leave buy-backs and unauthorized bonuses during a decade-long conspiracy. Both women retired from their union posts soon after, and George pleaded guilty in August to her own charges from the 2024 indictment.

5. Civil Justice

   FEDERAL COURT DELIVERS VICTORY TO EUCLID IN $10M+ BANKING DISPUTE

   Law.com | Article | October 09, 2025

   Judge Marty Fulgueira Elfenbein for the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Florida entered a comprehensive 90-page ruling in favor of Euclid Turnaround Opportunity Fund, marking a pivotal moment in complex banking litigation that could result in substantial punitive damages. The case centers on defaulted loans originally extended by Amerant Bank to Alliance Metals and Alliance Metals Alabama—aluminum smelting companies in Alabama. The loans, guaranteed by the Gitman family and secured by substantial industrial equipment, totaled approximately $10 million. In the third amended complaint, there are nine claims, including aiding and abetting conversion, tortious interference with contract and business, and a request for punitive damages based on the defendants’ egregious conduct. Most noteworthy is the court’s decision to allow punitive damages claims against Amerant Bank to proceed—an uncommon occurrence in banking litigation, the attorney said.

6. Civil Justice

   1000 FRIENDS OF FLORIDA SUES TO BLOCK STATE LAW FREEZING LOCAL REGULATIONS AFTER DISASTERS

   Florida Politics | Article | October 08, 2025

   1000 Friends of Florida filed a lawsuit on Tuesday [Oct. 7] to end SB 180, a new Florida law that limits local development regulations. The measure, approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, freezes municipal government development regulations in the aftermath of a hurricane or other disasters. But the group says the law has a much wider scope than just dealing with the aftermath of disasters. “SB 180 goes far beyond disaster recovery. It undermines communities of the basic ability to plan responsibly for growth, infrastructure, and the environment,” said Paul Owens, President of 1000 Friends. The intent of the law is to spur quicker recoveries and construction that could be bogged down in regulatory red tape after an emergency situation. The measure was largely influenced by recovery processes in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

7. Judiciary

   HONORED JUDGE STREET NAMING FOR TRAILBLAZER MELVIA GREEN

   South Florida Times | Article | October 09, 2025

   Retired Judge Melvia Green, who broke racial barriers in Florida’s judicial system, has a street named in her honor. During a recent ceremony, South Dade residents and the judiciary community turned out to celebrate her achievements and unveiled Judge Melvia Green Terrace at SW 103 Avenue and 146 Terrace. Green grew up on the same block as the street sign in Richmond Heights. “From a young age, she was curious, kind, and devoted to helping her neighbors, traits that would guide her path to law and public service,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee, himself an attorney, who sponsored a resolution to rename the street for Green. McGhee said as a judge, Green has mentored countless young lawyers, championed access to justice, and focused on due process and dignity for all in her courtroom.

8. Judiciary

   JUDGE MARK JONES TO RETIRE NEXT YEAR AFTER 30 YEARS ON THE BENCH

   KeysWeekly | Article | October 09, 2025

   Circuit Judge Mark Jones of the 16th Judicial Circuit of Florida, will retire at the end of December 2026 and will not seek re-election in the August 2026 judicial election. Judge Jones was first elected in November 1996 and has presided over matters in every division of the circuit court, including numerous serious and high-profile cases. While his chambers are in Key West, he has presided over proceedings and maintained divisional assignments in Marathon and Plantation Key. Judge Jones has been elected by his colleagues to serve as chief judge of the circuit on four separate occasions and currently serves as the circuit’s criminal administrative judge and mentor judge, continuing his long-standing commitment to judicial leadership and professionalism. The election to fill Jones’ seat currently will take place on Aug. 18, 2026.