Supreme Court of Florida - April 2002 Opinion Summaries

MOAKLEY v. SMALLWOOD

Attorney's Fees, Civil Procedure
While a trial court does have inherent authority to order attorneys' fees, where the court does not make an express finding of bad faith (finding only...

ITT HARTFORD INS. CO. OF THE SOUTHEAST v. OWENS

Civil Procedure, Injury & Tort Law, Insurance Law
Where a motion for additur was granted, defendant was entitled to the option of a new trial on the issue of the disputed amount of future medical...

MOAKLEY v. SMALLWOOD

Attorney's Fees, Ethics & Professional Responsibility, Sanctions
Florida trial courts have the inherent authority to impose attorneys' fees against an attorney for bad faith conduct. (Revised opinion)

WHITE v. STEAK AND ALE OF FLORIDA, INC.

Attorney's Fees, Civil Procedure, Remedies
Under the offer of judgment statute, section 768.79, Florida Statutes (1993), the "judgment obtained" for the purpose of determining whether the party...

STATE OF FLORIDA v. MORALES

Criminal Law & Procedure
The Prison Release Reoffender Punishment Act (PRRP) does not apply to the crime of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling.

BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF FLORIDA, INC. v. STECK

Insurance Law
Apparent conflict between this underlying case and American Heritage Life Ins. Co. v. English, 786 So. 2d 1280 (Fla 5th DCA 2001), concerning...

FLORIDA v. BETZ

Constitutional Law, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence
Police have probable cause to search a vehicle's passenger compartment and trunk where the totality of circumstances reveal a strong odor of illegal...