No. 18-9136

J.T., the Father v. Florida Department of Children and Families, et al.

Lower Court: Florida
Docketed: 2019-05-03
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: access-to-courts appellate-review constitutional-rights criminal-cases dependency-cases due-process equal-protection fundamental-liberty-interest indigent-population parental-rights
Latest Conference: 2019-06-20
Question Presented (from Petition)

The first question involves the Florida Practice and Rule which do not permit litigants to seek review in the Florida Supreme Court when the District Court of Appeal issue unelaborated affirmances (PCA's) of trial court decisions. The issue is whether this practice unconstitutionally deprives Florida resident's full and complete access to their courts in violation of their 5th and 14th Amendments due process rights. As well as being violative of their 14th Amendment equal protection rights, in that it invidiously discriminates against Florida residents. Wherefore, residents of other states who enjoy full and meaningful review of their cases on appeal. Most egregious, however, is the fact that the great majority of PCA's are rendered in criminal and dependency cases, which mainly involve the indigent population of Florida.

The second question presented is whether Florida Statute 39.806(1)(d)1 and 39.806(1)(d)3. Which denies the parent the possibility of defending against charges which have already been decided in a prior, non-trial surrender of parental rights, violated the fathers fundamental liberty interest in parenting; (Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 65 (2000); Lassiter v. Dept. of Social Services, 452 U.S. 18,27(1981); Stanley v. Illinois, 405 U.S. 645, 651; et.al . which interest is also protected by Florida's Privacy Act, Art. Sec. 23 Fla. Const.) Due process, equal protection, and his right against punishment by ex post facto ma/urn per se laws.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the Florida practice and rule that do not permit litigants to seek review in the Florida Supreme Court when the District Court of Appeal issues unelaborated affirmances (PCA's) of trial court decisions unconstitutionally deprives Florida residents of full and complete access to their courts in violation of their 5th and 14th Amendment due process rights and 14th Amendment equal protection rights

Docket Entries

2019-06-24
Petition DENIED.
2019-06-05
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/20/2019.
2019-05-29
Waiver of right of respondent Florida Department of Children and Families to respond filed.
2019-04-25
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due June 3, 2019)

Attorneys

Florida Department of Children and Families
Karla F. PerkinsDepartment of Children & Families, Respondent
J. T.
James Thompson — Petitioner