Florida

Florida Bar Launches Hotline to Combat Lawyer Misconduct Post-Hurricane Helene

by

Tallahassee, Fla. — Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, The Florida Bar has launched an emergency hotline to combat potential unethical behavior by attorneys in the region. The initiative gears towards protecting residents from illicit solicitation and preserving the integrity of legal services during this critical period. As residents grapple with the aftermath of the hurricane, The Florida Bar is actively enforcing its rules prohibiting improper solicitation by lawyers. Under the Bar’s regulations, attorneys are forbidden from soliciting clients through direct contact, third-party communications, or unsolicited mailings within 30 days following a disaster. Roland … Read more

Jury Deliberates in High-Stakes Florida “Ghost Candidate” Trial Involving Former State Senator

by

Miami, Florida — Deliberations began Monday in the high-stakes trial of former Republican State Senator Frank Artiles, who is accused of manipulating a 2020 state Senate election through the use of a so-called “ghost candidate”. The prosecution alleges that Artiles masterminded a plot to siphon votes from Democratic incumbent Jose Javier Rodriguez in Florida’s District 37 by recruiting Alex Rodriguez, who has no political ties, to enter the race. This third-party candidate garnered over 6,000 votes, a factor that may have tipped the scale in favor of Republican Illeana Garcia, who won by a mere … Read more

New Wave of Florida Laws Set to Transform Homeless Policies, Introduce ‘Margaritaville’ Plates, and Enhance Flood Disclosures

by

Tallahassee, Fla. — Florida is set to enact a spate of new laws starting October 1, prompted by legislative decisions aimed at addressing issues from homelessness to homebuyer disclosures. Among the 34 laws to be implemented, a particularly controversial measure aims to restrict where homeless individuals can establish encampments, sparking debate across communities. The law, known as House Bill 1365, prohibits local governments from allowing homeless encampments on public properties like public buildings and rights of way, albeit allowing designated areas for sleeping. This significant move aligns with similar actions taken by other states following … Read more

Florida Set to Enforce New Homeless Regulations and Unveil Unique License Plates as Part of 34 Fresh Laws Coming in October 2024

by

Tallahassee, Fla.— Florida is set to enact 34 new laws on Oct. 1, 2024, covering a broad spectrum of policies from homelessness regulations to consumer protection and environmental safety. Among the most debated is a law targeting the presence of homeless individuals in public spaces, alongside lighter cultural nods such as a new specialty license plate celebrating singer Jimmy Buffett. The homelessness regulation, known as HB 1365, stipulates local governments cannot allow people to sleep in public buildings, streets, or other rights of way. The statute, however, allows for designated areas where homeless individuals can … Read more