Our Work
Civil Rights Groups Demand Precautions for People in Florida’s Prisons and Jails (3/20/2020) - With the spread of COVID-19 around the world, we know these may be difficult times for many people. That is especially true for people incarcerated in Florida's prisons and jails. That's why, in addition to taking steps to safeguard our employees and communities, we are also demanding adequate precautions for those who may be most… ... Continue Reading
FJI Files Lawsuit Challenging Pompano Beach’s Anti-Panhandling Ordinance as Unconstitutional (2/12/2020) - Today, the Florida Justice Institute (FJI), in partnership with Fort Lauderdale lawyers Mara Shlackman and Frantz J. McLawrence, filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Pompano Beach’s anti-panhandling ordinance as an unconstitutional restriction of free speech. The Ordinance prohibits the solicitation of donations, business, or sales during certain times and at certain intersections, and otherwise… ... Continue Reading
FJI Returns to Court to Enforce Brevard Jail Overcrowding Consent Decree (1/6/2020) - The Florida Justice Institute (FJI) has filed a Motion for Order to Show Cause to enforce a Consent Decree that prohibits overcrowding in the Brevard County Jail. The Decree requires the jail population to remain below a certain level, but in recent years the population has exceeded that level. FJI has been monitoring the Decree… ... Continue Reading
Latest News
Arrested panhandler fights city’s law, saying it violated his free speech right South Florida Sun Sentinel (2/17/2020) - More than 100 people have run afoul of Pompano Beach’s ban on street solicitation in recent years, leading to a string of arrests and citations. But for one arrested homeless man, it has become a battleground for repealing the law that landed him behind bars. Bernard McDonald, a homeless and disabled laborer, is suing the… ... Continue Reading
Senate proposal funds Department of Corrections pilot program, officer pay raises Florida Politics (2/9/2020) - The Senate is proposing spending more than $5.5 billion on the state’s Department of Corrections, court system and law enforcement agencies (SB 2500). That number includes general revenue and trust fund revenue. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Chair Jeff Brandes said DOC has serious serious problems on which lawmakers must take action.… ... Continue Reading
Claim of chronic overcrowding at Brevard Jail lands county back in federal court Florida Today (1/16/2020) - For years, the Brevard County Jail has housed hundreds of inmates over its "operational capacity," in apparent violation of a 27-year-old court decree, according to a motion filed in federal court in Orlando last week by a prisoners' rights group. The Miami-based Florida Justice Institute filed the motion, seeking an order to show cause as to… ... Continue Reading
