This page covers courts, sentencing, prison systems, bail policies, prosecution and reform legislation in Florida. Reporting examines the justice system as a whole from the courtroom to state corrections policy.
Julio Velazquez's conviction stands as the Florida appellate court ties his challenge to a pending U.S. Supreme Court case.
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November 5, 2026
Jury Acquits Matthews in Petition Forgery CaseA Palm Beach County man accused of forging 463 petitions for an abortion-rights ballot initiative was found not guilty on all counts.
November 5, 2026
Florida Denies Compensation to Man Wrongly Jailed 32 YearsThomas Raynard James remains uncompensated four years after a judge vacated his 1990 Miami murder conviction.
November 4, 2026
Florida to Execute Jesse Guardado Thursday EveningThe 61-year-old is set for lethal injection as Supreme Court is asked to halt the execution over clemency claims.
November 3, 2026
YNW Melly Skips Court as Retrial LoomsThe rapper missed a Monday hearing while prosecutors seek to retry his double murder case.
November 2, 2026
Lawsuit Challenges Florida's $400,000 Prisoner LienSPLC and Public Justice sue the Florida Department of Corrections over a lien imposed on a homeless man with bipolar disorder.
October 29, 2026
Florida Supreme Court Clears Lawyer of MisconductThe court ruled that a deactivated account prevented the attorney from receiving notice of a scheduled hearing.
October 29, 2026
Florida to Execute Death Row Inmate November 5The state Supreme Court rejected final appeals from inmate Jesse Guardado regarding his 2004 murder conviction.
October 29, 2026
Tina Brown Appeals Florida Death SentenceThe only woman on Florida death row seeks to vacate her sentence following a recent judicial denial.
October 26, 2026
Florida Supreme Court Rejects Samuel Derrick AppealThe state supreme court denied a request to review new evidence in the 1987 capital murder conviction of Samuel Derrick.
October 23, 2026
Florida Group Seeks Rehearing on Grand Jury RecordThe Florida Center for Government Accountability challenges a court order to expunge a grand jury presentment.
This section follows sentencing guidelines, appellate court decisions, prison oversight, bail reform and prosecutorial charging policies. It reaches from the capital to the rural counties where incarceration facilities are frequently located. Changes in state statute often force shifts in county-level sentencing and administrative procedures. Judicial appointments and capacity constraints in the state prison system represent the factors that recur most consistently.
