FJI joins with other organizations calling on the City of Miami Commission to vote against a proposed anti-camping ban that would result in more arrests of people experiencing homelessness. We call on the City to honor the promises it made to the Pottinger court that it would not revert to criminalization.
FJI awarded $10,000 by The Foundation for Improvement of Justice
FJI is excited and honored to share that we were awarded the Paul H. Chapman Award from The Foundation for Improvement of Justice. The Award recognizes significant accomplishments that improve the justice system and can serve as an effective model for others. The Award includes the Paul H. Chapman Gold Medal, a check for $10,000, […]
FJI provides assistance to public defenders to combat the criminalization of homelessness.
As part of its campaign to end the criminalization of homelessness, FJI has provided a letter to the public defenders of Florida and other criminal defense lawyers summarizing recent federal court decisions declaring panhandling ordinances unconstitutional. Although many of these ordinances have been invalidated, cities and counties around the state continue to arrest people—overwhelmingly poor […]
FJI, together with other organizations, submits request to Secretary Inch to withdraw proposed mail rule
The Florida Justice Institute, together with other civil rights organizations, have submitted a formal request to Secretary Inch to withdraw the proposed mail rule change to digitize all incoming physical mail. Here is a copy of the letter. “Abolishing physical mail will harm public safety. FDC reported in 2020 that 86% of people incarcerated in […]
Lawsuit on behalf of three West Palm Beach residents challenges a local ordinance that criminalizes requests for charity
West Palm Beach, Fla. – Southern Legal Counsel, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida, the ACLU of Florida Palm Beach County Chapter, and Florida Justice Institute filed a federal lawsuit challenging a West Palm Beach ordinance that prohibits asking for donations in certain public spaces. The lawsuit, filed today in the U.S. District […]
Judge Says Fort Lauderdale’s Anti-Panhandling Law Treads on First Amendment
A federal judge has put a hold on Fort Lauderdale’s anti-panhandling law, rejecting the city’s attempt to paint beggars as a public-safety hazard. The nine-year-old ordinance prohibited panhandlers from asking for money in public parks, near sidewalk cafés, and in the vicinity of businesses and ATMs, among other places. Panhandling in the restricted areas was […]
‘Do You Have Some Spare Change?’ Panhandlers Gain Ground in Suit Against Fort Lauderdale Over Constitutional Issues
In South Florida, a federal district judge ordered the City of Fort Lauderdale to pause its panhandling ordinances because they are likely unconstitutional restrictions on free speech, as they violate the first amendment. And U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman, in issuing the preliminary injunction against the city from enforcing its two panhandling ordinances, put […]
Federal Court Issues Order Barring City of Fort Lauderdale From Enforcing Its Panhandling Ordinances
FORT LAUDERDALE. Yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Roy K. Altman issued a preliminary injunction enjoining the City of Fort Lauderdale from enforcing its two panhandling ordinances, finding that Plaintiffs Mark Messina and Bernard McDonald have shown that the laws are likely unconstitutional restrictions on free speech in violation of the First Amendment. The lawsuit, brought by the […]
ACLU alarmed, seeks to overturn ruling on Boynton mom filming police
Journalism organizations and civil rights groups are joining forces to overturn a West Palm Beach appeals court decision that they claim could block the press and the public from videotaping police. Raising the specter of cellphone footage that captured George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police, ACLU attorneys on Friday urged the 4th District Court of Appeal […]
A Bill Limiting Youth Solitary Confinement In Florida Failed This Year. Here’s What The Practice Entails
What sticks most with Catherine Jones is the darkness. At night, when the sun no longer streamed through the small window of her isolation cell, the cockroaches would come out. Alone, tucked away in the corner of her cell, she’d beg the guard outside to keep her lights on through the night. Some would. Some […]
FJI Calls for Manatee County to Evacuate Jail to Protect Incarcerated People from Toxic Water
The Piney Point phosphate processing plant is threatening to release 300 million gallons of toxic water throughout Manatee County, causing flooding of up to 20 feet. Residents have been ordered to evacuate, but thus far the sheriff has refused to evacuate the jail, which is within the evacuation zone. FJI, along with numerous community partners, […]
Judge tells Florida prison system: You can’t harass inmates just for complaining
A federal judge granted a protective order on Monday to inmates suing the Florida Department of Corrections and its secretary, Mark Inch, for what they say are unconstitutional isolation practices. The inmates — housed in isolation at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution, Florida State Prison, Lowell Correctional Institution and the Reception and Medical Center, a prison […]
Homeless Broward residents challenge Fort Lauderdale’s anti-panhandling laws in court
FORT LAUDERDALE — Mike Messina and Bernard McDonald, who are lifelong Broward County residents and have been homeless at various points in their lives, are challenging Fort Lauderdale’s anti-panhandling laws. They say the measures are an unconstitutional restriction of free speech. One of Fort Lauderdale’s ordinances prohibits anyone from requesting donations in all public parks, city parking […]
Lawsuit Challenges Fort Lauderdale’s Anti-Panhandling Ordinances as Unconstitutional
FORT LAUDERDALE Today, the Florida Justice Institute (FJI), in partnership with Fort Lauderdale lawyers Mara Shlackman and Frantz J. McLawrence, filed a lawsuit challenging a pair of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s anti-panhandling ordinances as an unconstitutional restriction of free speech. One ordinance prohibits requesting donations in all public parks, parking lots, and transportation centers; and within […]
Court Gives Final Approval to Settlement in Class Action Lawsuit Against Florida Department of Corrections Over Confiscation of Millions of Dollars of Digital Music
MIAMI/TALLAHASSEE/TAMPA BAY – Yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle gave final approval to a settlement resolving a statewide class action lawsuit against the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) for the confiscation of millions of dollars of digital music from incarcerated people in Florida, the result of a nearly two-year-long legal challenge brought by the Florida […]
DeSantis’ latest proposal would harm the Black community | Letters
The draft text of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ first piece of proposed legislation since COVID-19 began to pummel Florida is finally circulating. The Defeat COVID-19 and Renew Florida Act? No — The Combatting Violence, Disorder, and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act. DeSantis’ proposed legislation is his reaction to the protests this summer after the killings […]
FJI Board member Benjamine Reid awarded Daily Business Review’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Read more here.
District Court Rules that Some Incarcerated People Are Eligible for $1200 Payment
The federal government passed the CARES Act to give some people $1200. Thanks to a class action lawsuits brought by other organizations, some incarcerated people are eligible to receive these payments. Here’s more information about the case: https://www.lieffcabraser.com/pdf/CARES_notice_v3.pdf. Please note: If you are or were incarcerated at some point since March 27, 2020, you may […]