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Judge Judged

posted on 8/28/2004 7:59:00 AM

The Hillsborough County Judicial Campaign Practices Committee has found Circuit Judge Charles "Ed" Bergmann committed an ethical violation for statements he allegedly made about the depth of his support among family-law attorneys. Beth Reineke, a lawyer who is running for Bergmann's seat, complained that Judge Bergmann claimed a majority of family-law attorneys supported his candidacy.

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Ethics, Politics, Judicial Branch, Hillsborough County | View Count: (3020)

Appointment by House Speaker to Florida Commission on Ethics

posted on 8/4/2004 1:45:00 AM

It is my pleasure to appoint you to serve as a member of the Florida Commission on Ethics. By copy of this letter I am notifying the Ms. Bonnie Williams,Executive Director, and the Governor's Office. You should be hearing from Ms. Williams with further instructions. Should you have any questions regarding your appointment, please contact Edward Howlette or Missy Jones in the Office of the Speaker 850 488-7171. Congratulations on your appointment, and thank you for your willingness to serve.

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Politics, Ethics, Judicial Branch, Certifications | View Count: (2032)

Jury Committee Calls for 48 Reforms

posted on 2/15/2002 9:51:00 AM

After hearing strong opposition from the Florida Trial Bar, the Florida Supreme Court began deliberating whether to adopt sweeping jury reforms as proposed last week by a statewide Jury Innovations Committee.

Categories: Articles | Tags: Judicial Policy, Legislation, Jury | View Count: (2467)

Juror Power?

posted on 2/5/2002 10:10:00 AM

Aiming to make trials more jury friendly, committee suggests overhauling the way the state’s courts conduct business

Categories: Articles | Tags: Legislation, Judicial Policy, Jury | View Count: (3193)

Couple Sues Ashland Chemical for Pollution of Their Land

posted on 2/1/2002 9:15:00 AM

The Hannas bought a 7-acre tract near Tampa International Airport about 30 years ago as an investment. When they decided to sell it to finance their retirement, they discovered that pollution had leeched from a neighboring property, owned by Ashland Chemical, a Columbus Ohio chemical-mixing and distributing company, making their land difficult to sell. In August 1996, the company negotiated an option to buy the Hanna property for $1.1 million. They extended that option a month later. Then, wh...

Categories: Articles | Tags: Lawsuit, Real Estate, Tampa | View Count: (2779)

Guarding Liberties While Fighting Terrorism

posted on 12/1/2001 10:15:00 AM

Eavesdropping on conversations between inmates and their lawyers. Sneak-and-peak warrants that allow secret searches, wiping out the chance to call a lawyer or watch while the police rummage. Secret databases of suspicious people with no clear guidelines of what names and information are included. Rounding up and detaining indefinitely more than 1,200 people, some on material witness warrants, some on immigration violations such as overstaying a visa, some detained even when an immigrat...

Categories: Articles | Tags: Legislation, Civil Rights, Terrorism | View Count: (2500)

Jurors as Full Partners

posted on 11/1/2001 10:24:00 AM

Jurors play a critical role in the administration of our civil and criminal justice system. That role has been closely scrutinized by Florida’s Jury Innovations Committee, which has rendered a report that is far-reaching in its proposed reforms. The suggested changes seek to treat jurors not as children or bystanders at trial, but as full partners in the proceedings. The report contains 48 areas of study and recommendations on virtually all aspects of the jury system.

Categories: Articles | Tags: Judicial Policy, Jury | View Count: (2536)

The Frye Hearing in Florida: An Attempt to Exclude Scientific Evidence

posted on 7/1/2000 11:34:00 AM

State Supreme Courts require a minimum threshold of reliability and acceptance in the scientific community for all medical and similar evidence to be admitted at trial. In Florida and some other states, the courts adhere to what is known as the Frye standard, whereas in most states and in Federal Courts it is the so-called Daubert standard. The jurisdiction of the present case is Hillsborough County (Tampa), Florida. Forensic pathologist seldom, if ever, are requested to participate in such h...

Categories: Articles | Tags: Judicial Policy, Hillsborough County | View Count: (7562)

New Case Protects Mayors and City Commissioners: The U.S. Supreme Court Extends Absolute Immunity To Local Legislators

posted on 7/1/1998 11:42:00 AM

In Bogan v. Janet Scott-Harris,1 the Mayor and the City Council of Fall River, Massachusetts, passed a bill that eliminated the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which was headed by Janet Scott-Harris, the first African American to work for the City. Janet Scott-Harris had been Fall River's first black administrator when she was hired in 1987 to head the DHHS. In 1990, Scott-Harris accused a long time City employee, Dorothy Biltcliffe, of repeatedly using racial slurs, including ca...

Categories: Articles | Tags: Legislation, Daniel Bogan, Politics | View Count: (5027)

Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities: The Telltale Signs

posted on 4/1/1998 10:43:00 AM

In 1980, a Dade County Grand Jury investigated the quality of health care in Florida’s nursing homes. The results were shocking. Sixty percent of the nursing home facilities investigated were found to provide "unacceptable or consistently very poor care." In fact, the investigation described "health hazards and deficiencies in patient care that allegedly have been allowed to continue for years." The Grand Jury further concluded that the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services ("HRS") l...

Categories: Articles | Tags: Nursing Home, Misconduct, Legislation | View Count: (2873)