Category: Courts & Justice
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New Florida Bill Seeks to Protect Medical Marijuana Patients’ Parental Rights
A new bill in Florida seeks to prevent family courts from restricting custody or visitation rights solely due to a parent’s legal medical marijuana use. It aims to ensure fair treatment for medical marijuana patients in custody disputes, aligning family law with state marijuana regulations while addressing safety concerns raised by critics.
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Broward Courts Launch Family Court Services Pilot to Improve Accountability and Child-Focused Outcomes
Broward County’s court system has launched a Family Court Services Pilot Program aimed at improving accountability and protecting children in family law cases. This initiative connects families with vetted services, ensures compliance with court orders, and establishes clear roles for staff. The program seeks to reduce conflict and prevent repeat litigation, promoting more effective family…
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False Paternity, Real Consequences: Georgia Case Highlights a Blind Spot in Child Support Trust
A Georgia case highlights concerns in family law regarding trust and child support enforcement. An 18-year-old, Brya Hardy, allegedly deceived her ex-boyfriend into paying $7,000 in child support for a child that wasn’t his. This incident raises questions about verification processes and the potential for exploitation in informal child support claims.
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Fraud at the Top: Tiffany Carr Case Exposes Florida’s Nonprofit Oversight Failures
Tiffany Carr, former CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, pleaded no contest to organized fraud and misconduct, avoiding prison despite her role in diverting millions meant for domestic violence victims. The case highlights severe oversight failures in Florida’s nonprofit sector, raising concerns about accountability and the handling of public funds.
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Florida Supreme Court’s DIY Insemination Ruling Exposes a Legal Gap — and Puts Families on Notice
The Florida Supreme Court ruled that the state’s “donor relinquishment” law does not apply to at-home insemination, allowing sperm donor Angel Rivera to pursue fatherhood claims through general paternity law. This highlights legal uncertainties around DIY insemination, urging legislators to clarify laws regarding parental rights and agreements for informal arrangements.
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Georgia’s Cop City RICO Setback: A Procedural Loss, Not a Verdict on Violence
A Georgia judge’s dismissal of sweeping RICO charges tied to Atlanta’s “Cop City” protests was a procedural setback—not a ruling on the merits. With the training center already open and separate violence-related charges still pending, the legal and political fight is far from over.
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Florida Supreme Court Rejects Uthmeier Plan to Loosen Bar Rules for Government Lawyers
The Florida Supreme Court unanimously rejected a proposal allowing out-of-state lawyers to work in the executive branch without passing the Florida Bar exam. The ruling emphasizes maintaining attorney licensure standards despite staffing challenges. The Florida Bar opposed the plan, asserting that it undermined public protection and expertise in state law.
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Florida Man Sentenced to 3 Years After Police Chase Uncovers Illegal Machine Gun Conversion Device
A routine traffic stop in Tallahassee turned into a federal firearms case after police found an illegally modified handgun capable of automatic fire. A convicted felon from Homestead has now been sentenced to three years in federal prison, highlighting growing concerns over the spread of dangerous machine gun conversion devices on Florida streets.
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Lakeland Murder-Suicide Highlights Deadly Mix of Alcohol, Domestic Violence, and Crisis Failures
A Christmas-week tragedy in Lakeland left a mother dead, a teenage girl critically wounded, and three children without their parents after an alcohol-fueled domestic dispute escalated into a murder-suicide. Authorities say the case highlights how unreported abuse, substance use, and moments of crisis can turn fatal with devastating consequences for families.
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Unsealed Court Filings Reveal Family Court Turmoil After Anna Kepner’s Death at Sea
Newly unsealed family court records reveal the private turmoil that followed the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard a cruise ship, highlighting how custody disputes, media pressure, and an active FBI homicide investigation collided—raising serious questions about due process, child protection, and the limits of family courts when tragedy strikes.
Florida Bay News 