Fla. Appeals Court Rules Judge Wrongly Withheld Release of Docs in Murder Case

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Florida's First District Court of Appeal last week unanimously boosted the Sunshine State's Public Records Act, ruling that a trial judge in a murder case wrongly restricted the release of discovery documents, the Florida Times Union reported.

Judge Russell Healey, presiding over the murder trial of Michael David Dunn, issued an order delaying for 30 days the release to the public of documents shared by prosecutors with defense counsel so that he could review them for potential prejudice, according to the Times Union.

Under Florida's Public Records Act [Fla. Stat. secs. 119.01-119.15 (1995)], "[A]ll state, county and municipal records shall at all times be open for a personal inspection by any person." Despite the appellate panel's ruling, either side in the Dunn case could seek a protective order from Judge Healey barring the release of specific records to the public that would require an evidentiary hearing.

Fla. Journos Whine About Guv's Inaccessibility & Slow Records Production

Image via WikipediaNine Tallahassee newsers have complained to the Florida Society of News Editors that  Republican Gov. Rick Scott's administration is running a too-tight ship that has dragged its feet in producing requested public records and kept reporters seeking access to Florida's 45th Governor at bay.

According to an Associated Press story, Scott, a former health care executive, has kept reporters away from traditionally open events, such as a recent post-inauguration reception.  An Orlando Sentinel reporter recounted being told he would be socked with a $400 printing bill based on his request for public records.

Although whining is second-nature to most journalists, "TUOL" humbly suggests that the journalists would be better served by educating the private sector bigwig Scott about his obligations to the public through the use of the Florida Public Records Law (Fla. Stat. ch. 19) and the importance of open meetings via the Florida Sunshine Law (Fla. Stat. Sec. 286.011) and the Sunshine State's constitution (Art. 1, Sec. 24(b)) for openers.