Recent Blog Posts
Florida Municipalities Claim that State Is Violating Their First Amendment Rights via Gun Laws
Florida municipalities are joining forces in suing the state of Florida, claiming that the state has violated their free speech rights by barring them from passing their own local gun laws that would supersede state laws. As of now, if local officials enact a gun ordinance that in any way conflicts with state-established gun-free… Read More »
Florida Teacher Accused of Drowning Animals in Class Demonstration Could Be Charged With Animal Cruelty
News covering the Florida teacher who was accused of drowning raccoons with the participation of his students is now under scrutiny for potentially breaking state law, according to state agencies investigating the incident. According to some, the teacher’s actions violate the regulations of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida animal cruelty laws,… Read More »
Will Prosecution And Defense Of Sexual Assault Cases Ever Be The Same After The Cosby Trial?
As recently reported, Bill Cosby’s recent conviction for aggravated indecent assault could heavily impact future sexual assault cases; especially those against high-profile defendants, even though it arguably involves a very unique set of facts. Many are calling it “the first trial in the #MeToo era,” potentially leading the charge in how all defense strategies… Read More »
Spring 2018 Civil Rights Update: Faith-Based Initiatives in the White House and Anti-Begging Laws Found to Violate Constitutional Rights
Below we discuss some recent, important developments concerning protected civil rights this spring: Trump’s Faith-Based Initiative Raises Civil Rights & Discrimination Concerns On May 3rd, President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to “protect religious liberty” into law, igniting concerns from civil rights advocates across the country. The order establishes a new office… Read More »
Florida Pharmacy Owner Sentenced To 13 Years in Prison & Ordered to Pay $4.3 Million Fine in Association with Health Care Fraud
On March 30th, the owner of Orlando-based Fertility Pharmacy (Larry Howard) was sentenced to 13 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.3 million in restitution, as well as surrender two properties, in association with an allegedly fraudulent healthcare kickback scheme. According to federal prosecutors, Howard funneled patients to doctors that he had pre-selected,… Read More »
Spouse of Florida Nightclub Shooter Acquitted
In a trial that has been watched by the nation, on March 31st, the widow of the Pulse nightclub shooter, Noor Salman, was acquitted of aiding and abetting her husband (Omar Mateen) in the nightclub murders, as well as obstruction of justice in association with the shooting incident here in Florida almost two years… Read More »
Those Wrongfully Convicted Speak Out Against Faster Death Penalty Appeals
Unfortunately, Florida leads the country in wrongful death penalty convictions. According to some sources, close to 30 people have been exonerated from death row due to DNA evidence, prosecutorial misconduct, and other new evidence. In addition, five years ago, the governor signed a requirement that executions be hastened, occurring in 180 days. Now, some… Read More »
Appellate Court Strikes Down Gender-Based Pay Inequality
On April 9th, a U.S. appeals court ruled that employers cannot rely on workers’ salary histories in order to justify gender-based pay disparities. The Court based its decision on the federal Equal Pay Act, passed in 1963, deciding that Congress did not intend for discriminatory pay policies from the past to justify continuing pay… Read More »
Racial Bias Leads to Arrest at Starbucks and Nationwide Protests
A racial profiling event that occurred at Starbucks has captured news headlines, and even led the chain closing down for two days in order to provide its employees with “racial-bias education.” Specifically, two black men were arrested while waiting at one of the coffee chain’s stores last week, after doing absolutely nothing. The chief… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Deportation Law That Vaguely Transforms Crimes into Felonies
On April 17th, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a law that would have allowed the federal government to deport criminals who have committed “serious crimes.” This decision will affect the administration’s ability to deport individuals who very vaguely have a criminal record of some kind, as the justices pointed out just how unconstitutionally… Read More »
