Page 36 - First Amendment Foundation News Today

Apr 6, 2021 5:10 PM Tallahassee, FL - Siding with a union that represents law-enforcement officers, a state appeals court on Tuesday unanimously decided that a constitutional amendment expanding victims’ rights can shield the identities of police officers who were threatened in use-of-force incidents. The decision by a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal came in a lawsuit filed on behalf of two Tallahassee police officers who maintained that, as victims, they wer...

Police identities are protected under Florida’s Marsy’s law, appeals court rules ‘Marsy’s Law’ designed to protect crime victims Dara Kam, Senior reporter, News Service of Florida Published:  Tags:  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Siding with a union that represents law-enforcement officers, a state appeals court on Tuesday unanimously decided that a constitutional amendment expanding victims’ rights can shield the identities of police officers who were threatened in use-of-force incidents....

Florida appeals court ruling gives police officers ‘Marsy’s Law’ protections “Today’s decision was an unfortunate setback for police accountability,” a Tampa lawyer for media organizations said.     Siding with a union that represents law-enforcement officers, a state appeals court on Tuesday unanimously decided that a constitutional amendment expanding victims’ rights can shield the identities of police officers who were threatened in use-of-force incid...

stock.adobe.com Two Tallahassee police officers involved in use of force cases can keep their identities private under Marsys Law. Siding with a union that represents law-enforcement officers, a state appeals court on Tuesday unanimously decided that a constitutional amendment expanding victims’ rights can shield the identities of police officers who were threatened in use-of-force incidents. The decision by a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal came in a lawsuit filed on be...

Police who shoot civilians can hide their names under victims rights law, court rules Jeff Burlew, Tallahassee Democrat Replay Video In a decision that could have sweeping implications in police use-of-force cases, a Florida appellate court has ruled that officers who kill citizens can hide their identity under a measure designed to protect crime victims from violence and harassment. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal on Tuesday unanimously reversed a lower ...

During a normal session of the Florida Legislature, the halls of the Capitol and the House and Senate office buildings are filled with advocates, constituents and lobbyists, all hoping to get face time to persuade their elected officials on any given issue. The constituents come from all walks of life, and they typically come to Tallahassee to have their issues heard. Not this year. This year’s session is anything but normal. The pandemic has become a rationale that has turned “open govern...

Nonprofits file amicus brief defending Florida public records law March 09, 2021 MIAMI -- The First Amendment Foundation, ACLU of Florida and the Southern Poverty Law Center have filed an amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs in the case Human Rights Defense Center v. Armor Correctional Health Services Inc.   The brief was filed due to the organizations’ longstanding interest in preserving an open and transparent government and protecting the public’s right to access public records, i...

Nominations are now open for The Parker Thomson Awards for Outstanding Legal Journalism in Florida and the Susan Spencer-Wendel Lifetime Achievement Award. The entry deadline is April 5, 2021.  Submit entries here. The first-place award recipient for The Parker Thomson Awards for Outstanding Legal Journalism in Florida will receive a cash prize of $500, a plaque, and travel reimbursement to attend the awards ceremony. A reporter who chooses not to accept the monetary prize may opt to donate to...

Mar 09, 2021 By Gary Blankenship Senior Editor Top Stories A proposed procedural rule implementing the 2018 Marsy’s Law victims’ rights constitutional amendment should be adopted, according to comments submitted to the Supreme Court. The court received only two comments as well as a response from th...

Civil rights advocates are angry at Republican efforts to crack down on protests. Frustrations boiled over recently during a hearing on House Bill 1. Pushback against the bill is growing but Republicans are determined to get the bill through the legislative process.