Public Information

A number of death row inmates sued the state following alleged irregularities in the execution of Angel Diaz.

On August 10, 2007, the Attorney General filed a separate petition seeking to reverse an order of the trial court regarding viewing the death chamber and a walk-through. The Court denied review on August 20, 2007.

Browning v. Hersh

This case involves a challenge to a proposed constitutional amended on property taxes. It was dismissed October 31, 2007.

An earlier case filed by Hersh in the Florida Supreme Court was remanded for a hearing by the trial court in Tallahassee.

Validity of Slot Machine Amendment

This case involves the question of whether a constitutional amendment approved by the voters can later be invalidated if petitions needed to put it on the ballot later are shown to be fraudulent.

Joe Anderson v. Gannett Co.

This case asked whether and to what extent Florida will permit lawsuits for publications that allegedly place people in a "false light."

Citizens' Initiative on Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

On November 30, 2006, the Attorney General filed a petition for review of a proposed citizens' initiative banning state spending on research that requires the destruction of a live human embryo.

In addition, on January 16, 2007, the Attorney General filed a separate petition that asks the Court to review a financial impact estimate that will be provided to voters if the initiative is placed on the ballot.

Citizens' Initiative on Funding Embryonic Stem Cell Research

On November 7, 2006, the Attorney General filed a petition for review of a proposed citizens' initiative to fund embryonic stem cell research. The Court must review the proposed constitutional amendment to ensure it addresses only a single subject and has an accurate ballot summary.

In addition, on November 22, 2006, the Attorney General filed a separate petition that asks the Court to review a financial impact estimate that will be provided to voters if the initiative is placed on the ballot.

Richard Vincent Paey v. State of Florida

This case involves a challenge to Florida's drug trafficking laws. The Court dismissed the appeal on March 9, 2007.

Chief Justice's Inquiry into Sealed Court Records

Webpage

On Oct. 3, 2006, Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis asked circuit chief judges to report to him by Oct. 13, 2006, on the status of sealed court records in their courts. He also asked The Florida Bar to report on recommended Rules changes by Nov. 1, 2006, on the sealing of court records. Public comments are now being filed with the Court. Oral arguments were held on March 5, 2007.

Harry Shorstein v. Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney

On November 3, 2006, a notice of appeal was filed in this case involving an investigation of alleged inmate abuse in Flagler County.

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2006

Citizens' Initiative on Sales Tax Review by 2008

On September 1, 2005, the Attorney General asked the Court to review a citizens' initiative requiring a legislative review of current sales tax exemptions prior to July 1, 2008.

In addition, the Attorney General has filed a separate petition that asks the Court to review a financial impact estimate that will be provided to voters if the sales tax initiative is placed on the ballot.

Gulfstream Park Racing Cases

These cases involve lower court decisions striking a state statute authorizing simulcasting between two racing facilities in South Florida. In a companion case, Hartman-Tyner Inc. v. Gulfstream Park Racing, Filings and Docket information also are available.

Citizens' Initiative on Periodic Review of Sales Taxes

On September 1, 2005, the Attorney General asked the Court to review a citizens' initiative requiring a legislative review of certain sales tax exemptions every ten years.

In addition, the Attorney General has filed a separate petition that asks the Court to review a financial impact estimate that will be provided to voters if the sales tax initiative is placed on the ballot.

Citizens' Initiative on Sales Tax Legislation

On September 1, 2005, the Attorney General asked the Court to review a citizens' initiative requiring that each law creating or reenacting a sales tax exemption must contain only a single exemption and a statement of certain matters.

In addition, the Attorney General has filed a separate petition that asks the Court to review a financial impact estimate that will be provided to voters if the sales tax initiative is placed on the ballot.

Stuart Horowitz v. Plantation General Hospital

On February 17, 2006, the Court accepted jurisdiction in this medical malpractice case. It raises the issue of the extent to which hospitals can be held liable for the malpractice of physicians to whom they have granted staff privileges.

Wiccan Religious Cooperative v. Jim Zingale

The Wiccan Religious Cooperative challenges state tax exemption laws regarding sales of certain religious objects. The Opinion in this case was issued October 26, 2006.

Engle v. Liggett Group

The Court is reviewing a decision in which the lower appeals court reversed a jury verdict against tobacco companies. Oral Arguments were November 3, 2004. The Opinion was released July 6, 2006.

Sue Cobb v. Sarasota County Commission

On October 6, 2006, the Court received this case about a proposed local election regulation in Sarasota County. The 2nd District Court of Appeal certified this case to the Florida Supreme Court. The Court issued an Order declining to review the case October 12, 2006.

Governor's Request for an Advisory Opinion -- Retirement of Judge Ervin

On June 20, 2006, the Governor requested an advisory opinion arising from the circumstances surrounding the retirement of Judge Richard Ervin of the First District Court of Appeal. The Court released its Opinion on September 15, 2006.

Wyon Dale Childers v. State of Florida

W.D. Childers asked the Court to review a decision by the First District Court of Appeal upholding his conviction on bribery-related charges. The Court declined review.

Judicial Nominating Commission v. Sue M. Cobb

JNC petitioned for writ of mandamus challenging parts of House Bill 113 regarding whether newly created judgeships must be filled by gubernatorial appointment or election. The Court dismissed the case.

Petition on Attorney Contingency Fee Agreements

A peitition by more than 50 members of The Florida Bar seeks to amend the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar in light of a 2004 amendment to the state Constitution about attorney contingency fee agreements. Oral Arguments were November 30, 2005. The Bar developed a new Rule implementing the amendment and submitted it to the Court on February 23, 2006.

Emergency Petition to Extend DNA Testing Deadlines

This emergency petition sought to extend the deadline for testing DNA samples taken from crime scenes that might prove the innoncence of persons convicted of crimes. The Court extended the deadline to July 1, 2006, and asked for public comment about the extension.

Citizens' Initiative on Tobacco

On October 20, 2005, the Attorney General asked the Court to review a citizens' initiative on how the state spends its tobacco settlement money. Oral arguments are set for March 8, 2006

In addition, the Attorney General has filed a separate petition that asks the Court to review a financial impact estimate that will be provided to voters if the tobacco initiative is placed on the ballot.

Citizens' Initiative on Redistricting

On September 1, 2005, the Attorney General asked the Court to review a citizens' initiative defining marriage in Florida. Oral arguments are set for February 8, 2006.

In addition, the Attorney General has filed a separate petition that asks the Court to review a financial impact estimate that will be provided to voters if the marriage initiative is placed on the ballot.

Citizens' Initiative on Marriage

On September 1, 2005, the Attorney General asked the Court to review a citizens' initiative defining marriage in Florida. Oral arguments are set for February 8, 2006.

In addition, the Attorney General has filed a separate petition that asks the Court to review a financial impact estimate that will be provided to voters if the marriage initiative is placed on the ballot.

Request for Advisory Opinion on Vacancies

Gov. Jeb Bush requested an advisory opinion on executive powers and duties related to vacancies.

Citizens' Initiative to Redraw Election Districts

On September 29, 2005, the Attorney General asked the Court to review a citizens' initiative that would require that state legislative and congressional districts be redrawn in 2007. Oral arguments are set for February 9, 2006. The sponsors voluntarily withdrew this initiative on February 3, 2006.

In addition, the Attorney General has filed a separate petition that asks the Court to review a financial impact estimate that will be provided to voters if this initiative is placed on the ballot. This petition also has been withdrawn.

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Jeb Bush v. Ruth Holmes

In this case, the Court reviewed a challenge to a state statute creating Opportunity Scholarships, often called "school vouchers." Oral Arguments were June 7, 2005. The Decision striking the statute in this case was released January 5, 2006.

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2005

Wilson v. Judd. This case involved a question of journalists' access to evidence and photographs in a high-profile murder trial.

05-2256

PSC Phone Rate Case. These consolidated cases involved a phone rate increase authorized by the Pubic Service Commission. Oral Arguments were March 11, 2005.

04-9
04-10
04-946

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Emergency Petition on Out-of-State Lawyers. The Florida Bar filed a petition on September 14, 2005, regarding allowing out-of-state attorneys to practice law in Florida under limited circumstances, including attorneys affected by Hurricane Katrina, which the Court authorized. Oral Arguments were held February 10, 2005.

04-135

The Schiavo Cases. These cases involved questions surrounding the guardianship of a woman found by a court to be in a persistent vegetative state but who had left no written living will.

Rush Limbaugh v. State of Florida. This case involved questions of access to medical records in a criminal case involving alleged physician shopping.

04-2219

The "Perfect Storm" Case. This case involved questions about a fictionalized popular movie based loosely on the lives of real persons killed in an ocean storm. Oral Arguments were February 4, 2004.

03-1251

Citizens' Initiative on Land-Use Plans. A proposed amendment to the state Constitution would have required referenda to adopt and amend local land-use plans. Separate filings regarding the Financial Impact Statement and the acccompanying Docket are available. Oral Arguments were November 2, 2004.

04-1134
04-1479

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2004

Haire v. Department of Agriculture. This case involved questions about the State removing citrus trees believed to have been exposed to citrus canker. Oral Arguments were October 7, 2003.

03-446

Amendments to Workers' Compensation Rules. This case was filed January 30, 2004, involving the question of who now has authority to adopt Workers Compensation Rules. The case was finalized in December 2004. Oral Arguments were held September 2, 2004.

04-110

AFL-CIO v. Glenda Hood. This case involved questions surrounding the use of provisional ballots in the 2004 elections. It was transferred to the circuit court, and a later Appeal was brought to this Court. The Filings and Docket for that appeal also are available.

04-1544
04-1921

ACLU v. Glenda Hood. This case involved questions about parental notification when a minor seeks an abortion.

04-1671

Florida Democratic Party v. Glenda Hood. The Secretary of State issued emergency rules regarding manual recounts for touch-screen voting systems. The state Democratic Party challenged the rules.

04-2072

Citizens' Initiative on the Bullet Train. This case involved an initiative to repeal a constitutional amendment requiring the State to build a bullet train connecting major cities. Separate filings regarding the Financial Impact Statement and the acccompanying Docket are available.

04-944
04-1172

Citizens' Initiative on Sales Tax Exemptions. This case sought to limit the ability of the legislature to grant exemptions to the sales tax. Separate filings regarding the Financial Impact Statement and the acccompanying Docket are available.

04-957
04-1141

Citizens' Initiative on a Minimum Wage. This petition established a minimum wage as part of the state Constitution. Separate filings regarding the Financial Impact Statement and the acccompanying Docket are available.

04-943
04-1056

Citizens' Initiative on Homestead Exemptions. A petition was filed seeking to change the value of homestead exemptions in Florida. Separate filings regarding the Financial Impact Statement and the acccompanying Docket are available.

04-942

Citizens' Initiative on Adverse Medical Incidents. This proposed amendment to the state Constitution sought to establish a system of reporting adverse medical incidents. Separate filings regarding the Financial Impact Statement and the acccompanying Docket are available.

04-777
04-1052

Citizens' Initiative on Repeated Malpractice. A proposed amendment to the state Constitituion sought to regulate repeated medical malpractice by physicians. Separate filings regarding the Financial Impact Statement and the acccompanying Docket are available.

04-778
04-1053

Citizens' Initiative Regulating Physician Fees. A proposed amendment to the state Constitution sought to regulate physician fees. Separate filings regarding the Financial Impact Statement and the acccompanying Docket are available.

04-779
04-1054

Citizens' Initiative on Attorney Contingency Fees. This proposed amendment to the state Constitution sought to regulate attorney contingency fee agreements in certaincases. Separate filings regarding the Financial Impact Statement and the acccompanying Docket are available.

04-310
04-1051

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2003

Citizens' Initiative on Slot Machines. A proposed amendment to the state Constitution sought to authorize the use of slot machines in certain facilities in southern Florida. Separate filings regarding the Financial Impact Statement and the acccompanying Docket are available. A second set of filings regarding the Financial Impact Statement and the acccompanying Docket also are available.

03-857
04-1057
04-1290

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2002

State of Florida v. Aileen Wuornos. This case involved a serial killer who murdered men in central Florida.

Redistricting Case. This case involved legislative redistricting following the 2000 census.

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2001

Florida Senate v. Florida Public Employees Council 79. This case involved collective bargaining by state employees.

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2000

Presidential Election Appeals. These cases involved the dispute under Florida law as to whether George W. Bush or Al Gore lawfully had won Florida's electoral votes. View Oral Arguments in these cases.