Author Archives: Friends of Florida Courts

Merit retention has been part of the Florida judicial system since 1976. It calls for voters to render simple “yes” or “no” decisions on whether judges at the appellate level. including the Florida Supreme Court, should be retained for further service. Read more here: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/sep/26/endorsement-editorial-supreme-court-justices/.

The saying “you can’t fight city hall” was borne out of a common frustration with government being viewed as too powerful to beat. It’s a cynical view of Big Government, to be sure, and it would be a lot closer to the truth if we didn’t have an equally powerful force to turn to when our “inalienable rights” are under siege, as they have been since Rick Scott becameFlorida’s governor. Read more here: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-09-19/opinion/os-ed-front-burner-judicial-retention-pro-091912-20120918_1_justices-judges-rick-scott.

State Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince isn’t used to asking people for their votes. When she spoke Wednesday to the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, Quince talked about the history of the state’s merit retention system for appellate judges, the importance of an impartial judiciary and the need for people to vote in every election on the ballot, including questions — such as her own — at the bottom. Read more here: http://www2.tbo.com/news/news/2012/sep/13/namaino1-targeted-by-activist-groups-justices-must-ar-497503/.

Three Florida Supreme Court justices and 15 appellate judges are up for merit retention in the Nov. 6 general election. But as CL’s Scott Farrell reported earlier this summer, conservative forces hope to remove the three high court state justices, two of them — Barbara Pariente and Fred Lewis — nominated to the bench by Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles, and the other — Peggy Quince — a joint nomination between Chiles and Republican Gov. Jeb Bush. Read … Continue reading →

Supporters of three Florida Supreme Court justices under fire from conservative activists offered a civics lesson Tuesday in urging voters to reject the drive. Read more here: http://www.postonpolitics.com/2012/09/supporters-of-embattled-justices-offer-civics-lesson-in-their-defense/.

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Rick Scott may not get a chance to replace three Florida Supreme Court justices after a prosecutor said Thursday that no charges would be brought against them for having state-paid employees notarize their campaign forms. State Attorney Willie Meggs said that an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shows the justices had campaign forms notarized by state employees during working hours to meet an April filing deadline. But the prosecutor said … Continue reading →

An investigation into the filing of qualifying papers for three Supreme Court justices has been closed, but the controversy about the trio’s place on this fall’s ballot is likely to continue. A law firm issued a statement on behalf of the three Supreme Court justices, who all face retention elections this year, saying that prosecutors and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement had ended their probe and found no wrongdoing on the part of Justices … Continue reading →

The most important election in Florida may take place far down the ballot and involve people unfamiliar to most voters. But a vital principle will be at stake. Read more here: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/editorial-political-witch-hunt-threatens-florida-s/nPXXX/.