Jackson v. Florida
The Florida Supreme Court upheld a 2023 law that permits defendants to be sentenced to death with only the votes of 8 of 12 jurors. The defendant had raised facial and as-applied challenges to the law under the federal 6th, 8th, and 14th Amendments, and amicus groups had raised arguments under Florida’s “cruel and unusual” punishment and equal protection analogues.
Related Commentary
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in December
Issues on the dockets include school funding, protection of children in foster care, and the death penalty.