Everyone knows Florida has an insurance problem, but few realize that there is a lack of transparency in damages in our state courtrooms that is a major contributor to inflated premium costs. Property insurers foot the lawsuit bill for most cases regarding damages, and so objectivity matters when plaintiffs file claims. If a plaintiff sues […]
After a recent shooting incident on West Pensacola Street, Reverend R.B. Holmes held a summit to address the continuing problem in our community with gun violence. One of the first remarks at the summit by Rev. Holmes was “we are not anti-law enforcement.” That simple statement should not be newsworthy, but it is due to […]
Dear Editor, It was no surprise to see that the rising cost of property insurance was one of the key topics of the gubernatorial debate last week between Governor Ron DeSantis and Charlie Crist. Florida’s insurance marketplace was already suffering due to a variety of reasons, and more and more consumers were being hit with […]
Q. Judge Smith, did you always aspire to be a lawyer? Sally A. No, I did not. Allow me to explain how it happened. My late father, Frank D. Smith, was a hard worker and a problem solver. When he graduated from high school, he aspired to go to college. However, his parents couldn’t afford […]
Q. Judge Smith, doing your job takes a lot of patience. What is your key to being polite and having an even keel? On or off the bench, is there anything that annoys you? Tanner A. Being patient is part of a judge’s job description. It helps to like people and to empathize with their […]
In recent years, Florida has become a hotbed for medical malpractice lawsuits. Many out-of-state attorneys have set up shop in the state, lured by the promise of rich rewards. This trend is attributable to a variety of factors, including the state’s large elderly population and its popularity as a tourist destination. As a result, doctors […]
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 […]