BLOOD ALCOHOL TESTS The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in a case which effects Florida drivers. The Court ruled that prior to administering a blood alcohol test to a suspected drunk driver, law enforcement officers must obtain a search warrant. A warrant is not required to conduct a breath test. The ruling effectively overrides Read more about Legal Update[…]
WRITE-IN CANDIDATE SUIT A group of Northeast Florida voters filed a lawsuit contesting current law regarding write-in candidates. The issue involves closed primary elections. Should all candidates for an office be from one party only, then the election will be open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation. However, should a write-in candidate emerge, then Read more about Legal Updates[…]
THIRD GRADE RETENTION Fourteen parents filed a suit in Leon County Circuit Court seeking an injunction against seven school districts to prohibit the districts from retaining third grade students whose parents opted out of the Florida Standards Assessment test. Confusion exists throughout Florida’s public schools regarding whether opting out is a legitimate reason to retain Read more about Legal Updates[…]
MEDICAID LAWSUIT LEGAL FEES A pediatric Medicaid case against the state, which lasted more than ten years, was settled out-of-court. The state will be required to provide significantly improved access to health care for Florida’s two million Medicaid children. As part of the agreement, the state will pay plaintiffs’ attorneys $12 million for legal fees. Read more about Legal Updates[…]
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDING State and local governments have reached a settlement in regards to multiple lawsuits they filed against Digital Domain, a visual effects film studio awarded $20 million in economic incentive monies in 2009. The company, which has declared bankruptcy, will pay the State $5 million, of which $2 million will go to attorney Read more about Legal Updates[…]