Verdict . News

2w ago•4 min read

•Florida Supreme Court denied death row inmate Ronald Palmer Heath's final appeals with execution set for February 10, 2026

Florida Supreme Court Denies Death Row Inmate's Final Appeals

The Florida Supreme Court denied all appeals from death row inmate Ronald Palmer Heath, scheduled for execution February 10, 2026. Heath was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1989 killing of Michael Sheridan in Gainesville.

•Heath was convicted of first-degree murder of traveling salesman Michael Sheridan in Gainesville in 1989

3w ago•4 min read

•Florida Supreme Court amended Rule 9.200(f) to streamline transcript process for indigent criminal appeals

Florida Supreme Court Streamlines Transcript Process for Indigent Appeals

The Florida Supreme Court amended Rule 9.200(f) of the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles for indigent criminal defendants seeking transcripts for appeals. The new rule becomes effective April 1, 2026.

•New rule eliminates requirement for separate trial court orders to compel court reporter transcription

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Amendments require service of discovery requests and responses on all parties in civil cases

Florida Supreme Court Amends Civil Procedure Rules for Discovery

The Florida Supreme Court has adopted amendments to Civil Procedure Rules 1.350 and 1.370, effective April 1, 2026, requiring that discovery requests and responses be served on all parties in civil cases to enhance transparency.

•Changes take effect April 1, 2026, following unanimous court approval

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Florida Supreme Court eliminates ABA as sole law school accrediting body for bar admission eligibility

Florida Supreme Court Ends ABA's Exclusive Law School Accreditation Role

The Florida Supreme Court ruled January 15, 2026, to end the American Bar Association's monopoly as the sole accrediting body for law schools whose graduates can sit for Florida's bar examination. The decision follows a year-long study and aims to promote access to affordable legal education.

•Decision follows year-long workgroup study aimed at promoting educational access and affordability

Dec 30, 2025•4 min read

•Florida Supreme Court ruled municipal police can conduct DUI breath tests outside their city limits

Florida Supreme Court Rules Police Can Conduct DUI Tests Outside Jurisdiction

The Florida Supreme Court ruled December 30 that municipal police officers have authority to conduct DUI breath tests outside their city limits. The court reversed a lower court decision that had suppressed evidence in State of Florida v. Bryan Allen Repple.

•Decision resolves conflict between Fifth and Sixth District Courts of Appeal

Dec 30, 2025•4 min read

•Florida Supreme Court ruled sperm donors don't automatically lose parental rights in at-home artificial insemination cases

Florida Supreme Court: Sperm Donors Don't Auto-Lose Parental Rights

The Florida Supreme Court ruled Dec. 30 that men who provide sperm for at-home artificial insemination do not automatically relinquish all parental rights and obligations by operation of law. The court quashed a Second District Court of Appeal decision that had held otherwise.

•Court quashed Second District Court of Appeal decision that had ruled against donor Angel Rivera's paternal rights claim

Dec 30, 2025•4 min read

•Florida Supreme Court affirmed denial of postconviction relief for James Terry Colley Jr., sentenced to death for 2015 double murder

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentences for James Terry Colley Jr.

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of postconviction relief for James Terry Colley Jr., who was sentenced to death for murdering his estranged wife Amanda Colley and her friend Lindy Dobbins in 2015. The court also denied Colley's habeas corpus petition in a Dec. 30, 2025 ruling.

•Court rejected Colley's habeas corpus petition challenging his convictions for killing estranged wife Amanda Colley and her friend Lindy Dobbins

Dec 19, 2025•4 min read

•Jackson and three codefendants murdered James and Carol Sumner by burying them alive in 2005

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Death Penalty in 2005 Burial Murders

The Florida Supreme Court issued a corrected opinion in the case of Michael James Jackson, who was convicted of robbing, kidnapping, and murdering an elderly couple by burying them alive in 2005. Jackson's death sentences were vacated in 2017 but the case has continued through appeals under changing Florida capital punishment laws.

•Original death sentences vacated in 2017 due to Hurst v. State requiring unanimous jury recommendations

Dec 18, 2025•4 min read

•Florida Supreme Court amended Rules 2.120, 2.140, and 2.215 to clarify confusion between local rules and administrative orders

Florida Supreme Court Clarifies Local Rules vs Administrative Orders

The Florida Supreme Court has amended three key rules governing general practice and judicial administration to clarify the long-standing confusion between local rules and administrative orders in trial courts. The amendments to Rules 2.120, 2.140, and 2.215 stem from a comprehensive review initiated in 2021.

•Four-year review process began in 2021 with Chief Justice Canady's administrative order establishing a workgroup