Case

 Time

Facts & Issues

Place of Origin

No cases scheduled

Case

 Time

Facts & Issues

Place of Origin

Joan Ruble v. Rinker Materials Corp.

SC11-1173

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9:00

Joan Ruble and her husband filed a personal injury lawsuit against Rinker Materials, alleging his terminal mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos in Rinker products. After he died, she moved to continue the lawsuit as a personal representative of his estate. The trial court, however, dismissed the case, ruling Florida's Wrongful Death Act required that a new suit be filed. The Third District Court of Appeal upheld that decision.

Miami-Dade County

Karen Capone v. Philip Morris USA, Inc.

SC11-849

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Approx. 9:40

Mrs. Capone and her husband filed a personal injury lawsuit against Philip Morris, alleging his injuries and her loss of consortium were caused by his smoking. After he died, she moved to continue the lawsuit, both on her own behalf and as a personal representative of his estate. Philip Morris argued, among other things, that Florida's Wrongful Death Act required that a new suit be filed. The trial court ruled the case had to be dismissed and the Third District Court of Appeal upheld that decision.

Miami-Dade County

George Jackson v. The Shakespeare Foundation

SC11-1196

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Approx. 10:30

The Shakespeare Foundation and its developer accused George Jackson, Kerry Jackson and their real estate company of fraud in a lawsuit filed over a property deal. The suit alleged the Jacksons had misrepresented the presence of wetlands on the property. The Jacksons argued the suit should be dismissed because of an arbitration provision in the sales contract. The trial court agreed but the First District Court of Appeal reversed that ruling. The 1st DCA also ruled that its opinion was in conflict with an opinion issued by the Fifth District Court of Appeal in a similar case.

Bay County

Case

 Time

Facts & Issues

Place of Origin

In re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Traffic Cout

SC12-38

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9:00

The Florida Bar's Traffic Court Rules Committee has proposed changes to the rules governing traffic court. One change would add a provision designed to make sure people representing themselves are aware of their constitutional right against self-incrimination. Another proposed change would require that drivers who want a hearing after their licenses have been suspended have six months to request it.

Statewide impact

In re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure

SC12-188

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Approx. 9:30

The Florida Bar's Juvenile Court Rules Committee has proposed rule changes. Some changes would make juvenile delinquency rules more like rules in adult criminal cases. For example, juveniles would have to be given enough time to consider pleas and be told of possible consequences of pleas, such as registration as a sexual offender or immigration status. Other rule changes would affect dependency and termination of parental rights cases. Some of these changes would let courts review the state's search for a missing parent and would add to the procedures for determining paternity.

Statewide impact

Vincent J. Puglisi v. State of Florida

SC11-768

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Approx. 10:00

Mr. Puglisi was convicted of the first-degree murder of Alan Jay Shalleck, who was fatally stabbed and beaten in 2006. Mr. Puglisi was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He appealed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, arguing the trial court erred when it allowed his defense attorneys to refuse to call witnesses whom he wanted to testify. The 4th DCA upheld the trial court. Mr. Puglisi argued that ruling conflicted with decisions by other Florida appellate courts.

Palm Beach County

Case

 Time

Facts & Issues

Place of Origin

Public Defender, Eleventh Judicial Circuit v. State of Florida

SC09-1181 | SC10-1349

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9:00

The Public Defender advised the trial court that its caseload had become so excessive that it could no longer take new non-capital felony cases. The trial court issued an order allowing the office to refuse some new cases. The Third District Court of Appeal overturned that ruling. In a second similar case, the trial court issued an order approving a request for an individual public defender to withdraw from a case. The 3rd DCA overturned that ruling as well.

Miami-Dade County

In re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure

SC12-187

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Approx. 9:40

The Florida Bar's Rules of Criminal Procedure Committee has proposed changes to the rules governing criminal procedures. Examples include clarifying the time frame for filing a notice of expiration of speedy trial deadline and clarifying the right of a pro se defendant or an attorney to apply for subpoenas. Another proposed rule change would allow a judge to write an answer to a jury's questions rather than bringing the jury back into the courtroom to respond orally.

Statewide impact

Case

 Time

Facts & Issues

Place of Origin

No cases scheduled