Anyone Know a Good Cobbler?

Anyone Know a Good Cobbler?

By Jay Revell There’s never a cobbler around when you need one. At least that seems to be the case here in Tallahassee. Recently, I tried to take a pair of leather shoes in for what I thought would be a quick repair. I stopped in at one of our local shoe fix shops and […]

Stewart: Executive Committee Should Put CSC Staffing Proposal on Hold

Stewart: Executive Committee Should Put CSC Staffing Proposal on Hold

On Monday, the Executive Committee of the Leon County Children’s Services Council (CSC) will consider recommending a staffing proposal to the full governing body that will allocate $819,858 in tax dollars to seven positions for the upcoming fiscal year, 2023-24. In my view, the Executive Committee should put the proposal on hold. Here’s why. First, […]

Default Judgments and Damages

Default Judgments and Damages

Q. Judge Smith, what is a default judgment? Does a default judgment end the case? Thank you, Dee. A. Due process of law requires notice and an opportunity to be heard.Plaintiffs begin lawsuits by filing complaints against defendants. The purpose of a complaint is to tell a defendant what he did, how it damaged the […]

Lack of Transparency Drives Up Insurance Premiums

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 […]

Attorney Fees Drive Up Property Insurance Costs for Homeowners

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 […]

An Accidental Lawyer | Judge Layne Smith

An Accidental Lawyer | Judge Layne Smith

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 […]

Grumpy Old Men | Judge Layne Smith

Grumpy Old Men | Judge Layne Smith

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 […]

Malpractice is bad, More Lawsuits is Worse

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 […]

Violating Local Ordinances Has Consequences | Judge Layne Smith

Violating Local Ordinances Has Consequences | Judge Layne Smith

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. […]

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