TodayLegal News

Verdict.News

Seal of the Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court

State Court•state

20 articles

State Court
•4 min read
Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence in Panama City Home Invasion Murder

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the first-degree murder conviction and death sentence for Michael Harrison Hunt, who used a fake pizza delivery to force entry into a Panama City home in 2019, resulting in the death of Alexandra Elise Peck. The court rejected Hunt's appeal challenging both his conviction and capital punishment.

•Michael Hunt used a fake pizza delivery to gain entry to a Panama City home on April 4, 2019
•The home invasion resulted in the murder of Alexandra Elise Peck and Hunt's conviction for first-degree murder
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Approves Amendments to Attorney Discipline Rules

The Florida Supreme Court adopted amendments to Chapter 3 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar on Dec. 18, 2025, modifying attorney discipline procedures including emergency suspension protocols and grievance committee voting requirements.

•Florida Supreme Court adopted amendments to four attorney discipline rules with modifications to Bar's original proposals
•Changes include adding 'interim' terminology to emergency suspension rules and reorganizing general discipline procedures
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence After Jury Law Changes

The Florida Supreme Court ruled on the case of Michael James Jackson, who was convicted of murdering an elderly couple in 2005. Jackson's death sentences were vacated in 2017 due to jury unanimity requirements but were later reimposed under revised state laws allowing non-unanimous jury recommendations.

•Michael James Jackson was convicted of murdering James and Carol Sumner by burying them alive in 2005
•His death sentences were vacated in 2017 due to Hurst v. State requiring unanimous jury recommendations
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Affirms Denial of Motions Against PACE Bond Validation

The Florida Supreme Court upheld circuit court orders denying governmental entities' attempts to vacate a $5 billion bond validation for PACE qualifying improvements. The court ruled that Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.540 does not apply in bond validation proceedings.

•Florida Supreme Court affirmed denial of motions to vacate $5 billion PACE bond validation
•Court ruled Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.540 does not apply to bond validation proceedings
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Amends Judicial Rules Process, Sets 2026 Date

The Supreme Court of Florida amended Rule 2.140 governing how judicial administrative rules are modified, acting on its own motion without prior public comment. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2026, with a 75-day comment period now available for interested parties.

•Florida Supreme Court amended Rule 2.140 governing judicial rule modification procedures
•Court acted on its own motion without prior public comment period
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Denies Final Appeals for Death Row Inmate

The Florida Supreme Court denied all final appeals from death row inmate Frank A. Walls on December 11, 2025, clearing the way for his execution scheduled for December 18. The court rejected Walls' successive motion for postconviction relief, petition for habeas corpus, and request for a stay of execution.

•Florida Supreme Court denied Frank A. Walls' successive postconviction relief motion, habeas corpus petition, and stay request on December 11, 2025
•Walls is scheduled for execution on December 18, 2025, for the 1987 murders of Edward Alger and Ann Peterson in Okaloosa County
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Protects Joint Bank Accounts from Individual Creditors

The Florida Supreme Court ruled that joint bank accounts between spouses can be protected from individual creditors under tenancy by entireties ownership, even when one spouse originally opened the account alone. The court held that a 2008 statutory amendment eliminated traditional common law requirements for simultaneous creation.

•Joint bank accounts between spouses can qualify for entireties protection even when originally opened by one spouse alone
•2008 statutory amendment created presumption favoring entireties ownership that overrides traditional time and title unity requirements
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Approves Major Amendments to Juvenile Court Rules

The Florida Supreme Court has approved comprehensive amendments to seven Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, including changes to discovery, process service, and adjudicatory hearings. The amendments, unanimously recommended by The Florida Bar's Board of Governors, were modified after public comment from the Florida Public Defender Association led to the withdrawal of proposed changes to remote testimony rules.

•Seven juvenile procedure rules were amended, covering process, discovery, motions, jurisdiction waiver, hearings, and appeals
•The Florida Bar's Board of Governors unanimously recommended the changes after committee review
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Denies Death Row Appeal for Samuel Smithers

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of Samuel L. Smithers' successive motion to vacate his two death sentences. Smithers, who has an active death warrant, was convicted for murders at a Plant City property where he worked as a groundskeeper in 1996.

•Florida Supreme Court affirmed denial of Smithers' successive postconviction motion to vacate death sentences
•Smithers has an active death warrant and was convicted for 1996 murders at Plant City property
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Denies Death Row Appeal in Family Murder Case

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed a circuit court's denial of postconviction relief for Mesac Damas, who killed his wife and five children in 2009. The court also denied his habeas corpus petition in the consolidated cases.

•Florida Supreme Court affirmed circuit court's denial of postconviction relief under Rule 3.851
•Court denied habeas corpus petition in consolidated death penalty cases
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →