Q. Judge Smith, how can local government enact ordinances that expose people to criminal prosecution? Just call me a non-conformist. Dan A. The state or the federal government preempts some areas of law. Otherwise, county and city governments can enact local ordinances. The idea is that our local officials are the closest to local issues. […]
I talk to students about what judges do and the rule of law. Sometimes, we talk about American history and their questions can range from whimsical to probing. Q. Judge Smith, why do the people in England drive on the other side of the road. Clay (a fourth-grade student). A. During the Middle Ages, most […]
Dear Editor, Florida’s courts are being commandeered by con artists and fraudsters, earning massive paydays at the expense of everyday small business owners. And things will keep getting worse on Mainstreet and in our communities if things don’t change soon. There are many forms of lawsuit abuse in the Sunshine State, but one in particular […]
After being appointed county judge in 2015, the people of Leon County elected me to the job. Before my term had ended, Governor DeSantis appointed me to the circuit bench. Since then, my chief judge has assigned me to handle family law and civil case dockets in Leon County. Since 2018, I have published 91 […]
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Can Tallahassee reward itself a gold medal for the local small business boom claimed by The New Small Business Boom Under the Biden Harris Administration 2021? Or did Tallahassee earn itself a meager participation ribbon for 2021? While Tallahassee prides itself for promoting initiatives that support local small businesses, Tallahassee has […]
Lawsuit abuse is a significant cost driver in Florida’s property insurance market. Bad actors and third-party contractors are turning consumers’ insurance policies into a cash cow for themselves. We are now seeing higher insurance costs and fewer companies that are willing to write new policies or renewing existing ones, leading to less choice in the […]
Dear Editor, As we almost get through this last wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida businesses can at least rest assured that lockdowns are behind us. And during the summer, thanks to favorable public health guidelines here in Florida, vacationers have descended upon the Sunshine State and second home sales are as hot as ever. […]
The Tallahassee Democrat, who has a full-time K-12 education reporter, has yet to inform their readers about a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of a Tallahassee family related to a controversial Leon County School Board policy on gender. However, the Gannett-owned paper found the time to inform their readers about the “Heroes of Diversity.” Beyond […]
In our current context, I must confess an inclination to write on politics over far weightier matters of the soul. My vocation exposes me to an abundance of avarice within the political class or among the adjacent, politically outspoken elites. With a modicum of investigation, you can find people making decisions for our country who […]
The pandemic has shown us how crucial a fast, reliable internet connection is. Whether it’s online learning, remote work, or staying connected to family, we can’t keep up without it. In 2021, it’s almost shocking that any community in the U.S. lacks access to fast and reliable high-speed internet, but that’s the reality for roughly […]