In May, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juveniles who commit crimes in which no one is killed can’t be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In the 6-3 majority opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that the Eighth Amendment, which bans cruel and unusual punishment, forbids…
Nearly two years ago, a post here discussed the growing problem of unregulated pain-management clinics, so-called “pill mills,” and how South Florida – Broward County in particular – was ground zero. According to the Centers for Disease Control, overdose deaths from painkillers are rivaling the No. 1 killer, traffic accidents.…
As of September 8, running a red light at some Broward County intersections will be captured on camera, and subject to a $158 fine. In May, Gov. Charlie Crist signed HB 325 into law, authorizing local governments to use the cameras as enforcement devices, setting statewide standards and traffic fines…
During the 2010 Florida Legislative Session, no less than 17 bills were introduced relating to distracted-driving. Perusing some of these bills, there’s a sad irony in their fates: All were pronounced dead – like many drivers who took their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road. This despite…
Back in 2008, the Florida Supreme Court ruled against parent liability waivers for a minor participating in activities at a commercial venue. The wrongful-death case, Scott Corey Kirton v. Jordan Fields, involved 14-year-old Christopher Jones, killed in 2003 while riding an all-terrain vehicle at Thunder Cross Motor Sports Park in…
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, say victorious supporters of Florida House Bill 187, the so-called “Bong Bill.” Their theory: fewer available smoking implements mean less firing up. The new law, which passed the state Senate (SB 366) and House in April during the 2010 Legislative Session, went into effect July…
The Garvin Injury Law in proud to announce that Leland E. Garvin has recently been named by Florida Super Lawyers magazine as one of the Top Young Lawyers in Florida for 2010. Only2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by Super Lawyers for this list. Each year…
The Fort Lauderdale office of the Garvin Injury Law is pleased to announce the successful transition to our new location: 642 Northeast 3rd avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304. Our new office is conveniently located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, just north of the Federal Courthouse on 3rd Avenue. Prior to the…
According to a recent study performed by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, 73% of Americans talk on the telephone while driving. The Insurance Industry for Traffic Safety found that almost 6000 deaths were caused by distracted drivers in 2008. The numbers for teens are particularly striking. 21% of fatal car crashes…
In courtrooms around the state, it has long been the practice that juveniles were to be shackled by the wrists and ankles with belly chains, chained to furniture or chained to each other when they were brought to appear before a judge. In this 6-1 opinion, The Florida Court stated, …