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Aramis Ayala files challenges of Rick Scott with Florida Supreme Court, federal court

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Arguing Gov. Rick Scott had no legal basis to strip murder cases from her jurisdiction, Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala filed challenges Tuesday morning in both the Florida Supreme Court and federal court. In complaints filed by her attorney, Roy Austin Jr. of Washington D.C., Ayala contends that she legally exercised prosecutorial discretion in deciding not to pursue death penalty prosecutions in the 9th Judicial Circuit. Ayala was not found by guilty of any misconduct. Consequently, Ayala argues that Scott’s executive…

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Florida Speaker: Suspend prosecutor who nixes death penalty

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Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran has called on the governor to suspend a prosecutor for pledging to not seek the death penalty in any case while she is in office. Corcoran said Thursday that Orlando State Attorney Aramis Ayala was “violating the constitution” because she is not even considering the death penalty. Capital punishment is authorized under the Florida Constitution. Corcoran added that if Florida lawmakers had the power to impeach Ayala, they would already be doing so. Gov. Rick…

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Lisa Carlton not running for Florida Agriculture Commissioner

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Lisa Carlton has decided she will not run for Florida agriculture commissioner. Instead, the former state Senator, who co-owns a cattle ranch with her family, will focus on her new role as a member of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. As first reported by Zac Anderson the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Carlton, a Sarasota Republican, has changed her mind since January, when she told the paper she was considering a statewide campaign in 2018 for agriculture commissioner. Last week, Gov. Rick Scott…

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House panel votes to raise the bar for proposed constitutional amendments

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A lively debate on governing principles broke out Thursday as a House committee voted unanimously to ask the voters to raise the threshold for amending the Florida Constitution. HJR 321 would require approval by 66 2/3 percent of the voters to change the state’s foundational document. At present, that requires 60 percent approval. Sponsor Rick Roth, a freshman Republican from Loxahatchee, acknowledge his proposal would make it harder to change Florida’s basic law. “I watch politics very closely, and have for 30…

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Winning elections best way to achieve favorable judiciary

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If you are one of those who are sick and tired of judges ruling against your policy preferences, the Florida House of Representatives is offering an elixir for what ails you. Judges are in the news a lot lately. From the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, to the drama in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, many Americans are paying attention to black robes. Florida is now adding to the conversation on…

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Carl Domino: Bridging the justice gap pays off for Floridians in multiple ways

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When I was a member of the Florida Legislature, I always supported efforts to expand access to justice. It’s a right that’s enshrined in the Pledge of Allegiance, the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Constitution: “The courts shall be open to every person for redress of any injury, and justice shall be administered without sale, denial or delay.” But let’s be honest. Our legal system can be complex and difficult to navigate without an attorney, and many people cannot afford…

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Nearly 100 have applied for state constitution rewrite panel

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Almost 100 people now have applied to Gov. Rick Scott for a seat on the panel that reviews the state’s constitution every 20 years. According to a list the governor’s office released Thursday morning, a few of the newest names interested in being on the Constitution Revision Commission are: — Alan Becker, co-founder of South Florida’s Becker & Poliakoff law firm, and vice chair of Enterprise Florida, the state’s public-private economic development organization. — Glenton Gilzean, president and CEO of…

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