Michael Carroll News
Florida's high court pulls the plug on traffic-ticket app
In a 4-3 decision, the Florida Supreme Court concluded a company that operated an app which connected traffic ticket defendants to attorneys had engaged in an unauthorized practice of law.
Florida officials look toward codifying governor's orders on mask, vaccine mandates
If Gov. Ron DeSantis gets his way, a key part of the 2022 Florida legislative session will involve putting his executive orders banning local mask and vaccine mandates into law.
Florida insurers score assignment-of-benefits wins in appeals courts
Florida property insurers won a pair of recent appeals court decisions that found the companies didn’t have to pay policy benefits to third-party contractors, offering some good news for an industry that suffered $1.5 billion in losses last year.
Judicial panel calls for expansion of appellate court districts in Florida
A judicial panel has recommended expanding the number of appellate court districts in Florida from five to six as a way to improve public perceptions of the judiciary and encourage more diversity on the bench.
Florida judge gives green light to lawsuit alleging Zantac products contained carcinogens
A federal judge in Florida has turned down a motion by several drug makers to dismiss a class action alleging that plaintiffs consumed doses of the heartburn drug Zantac containing cancer-causing impurities.
Local governments spar over city of Port St. Lucie's developer fee system
St. Lucie County officials are hoping to avoid litigation with the city of Port St. Lucie over a new plan to impose developer fees to offset the transportation effects of regional growth.
Voter-approved minimum wage hike seen as potential job killer in Florida
Florida’s minimum wage rose to $10 per hour Sept. 30 as provisions of last year’s minimum-wage initiative began to kick in, prompting business groups to warn that small firms would likely try to get by with fewer employees.
Trump files motion in federal court to reinstate his Twitter account
Former President Donald Trump has filed a motion in a Florida federal court for an injunction directing Twitter to reinstate his social media account after it was suspended in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Federal judge backs City of South Miami, blocks ban on sanctuary policies
A federal judge has blocked enforcement of key components of a 2019 Florida law that required state and local government agencies to cooperate with federal immigration officials and not to enact sanctuary policies.
Florida Bar Exam passage rates down slightly compared to before pandemic
The Florida Bar Exam passage rate for the online exam given in July ticked downward compared to results prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, both for first-time test takers and all takers, the just-released results show.
New Florida law restricting telephone solicitations sparks class actions
A new Florida law that aims to protect consumers from unwanted sales calls and text messages has already prompted a series of class-action lawsuits, raising concerns that the new law is creating a new venue for civil litigation.
Florida law mandating reporting on new independent contractors takes effect in October
As a result of legislation passed this year, Florida employers will be required to report information on new independent contractor hires to state officials beginning Oct. 1 to improve Florida’s child-support system.
Lawmakers to make another push to pass data privacy bill to limit 'big tech'
Despite the defeat of data privacy legislation earlier this year, Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls wants to resume the battle against “big tech” by giving consumers more rights to limit the use of personal information collected by companies.
Florida lawmakers urged to avoid protracted redistricting litigation
As Florida lawmakers open discussions on redrawing political districts in the state, advocacy groups are expressing hopes of avoiding the protracted litigation and secrecy that occurred during the 2010 redistricting process.
Miami jury's $43 million award against Philip Morris shows willingness to punish companies for the past, observer says
A Miami jury has found Philip Morris liable for $43 million in damages in the cancer death of a woman who smoked Virginia Slims cigarettes for over a decade.
Florida's high court to decide fate of state preemption on local firearms ordinances
The Florida Supreme Court has decided to weigh in on the legality of a state law that blocks local government officials from passing firearms regulations that are more strict than what the state allows.
Florida caregiver advocates weigh need to extend COVID-19 legal liability protections
Advocates for health care organizations are weighing whether to push Florida legislators to extend COVID-19 legal liability protections for medical professionals beyond the March 2022 expiration date.
Appeals court allows state officials to enforce DeSantis' school mask mandate ban
A state appeals court has allowed Florida officials to continue enforcing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on school mask mandates, overturning a district court ruling that supported pro-mask-mandate parents.
Appeals court rejects Florida property owners' effort to limit public beach access
A federal appeals court has rejected property owners’ arguments that a Florida beachfront town’s ordinance outlining public access to “dry sand areas” of town beaches violates a state law.
Federal judge blocks enforcement of key section of Florida's new 'anti-riot law'
Civil rights groups this week welcomed a federal district court opinion that found Florida’s “anti-riot law,” House Bill 1, violates the Constitution and chills the legitimate free-speech rights of protesters.