Our Recent Work
At FJI, we are committed to defending civil rights and advocating for justice in Florida.
Explore the current cases we are passionately pursuing to protect and empower our community.
FJI Sues City of Hollywood Over Anti-Panhandling Laws
HOLLYWOOD, FL.— On May 3, 2023, the Florida Justice Institute (FJI), in partnership with Fort Lauderdale lawyer Mara Shlackman, filed a lawsuit challenging three Hollywood anti-panhandling ordinances as unconstitutional restrictions of free speech. The ordinances require people soliciting donations to obtain a permit, impose various restrictions on panhandling—including outright banning
How FJI Uses Impact Litigation to Fight for ‘Mr. Murillo’
Although people are sent to prison as punishment for a crime, as human beings they are still entitled to adequate medical care. In addition to being the morally right thing to do, it improves the chances that they can rejoin society ready to make positive changes in the world. Unfortunately, in
How FJI Helped Lucy Get a Wheelchair & Peace of Mind
We want to share with you a story of one of the individuals we were able to help through our case helping incarcerated people with physical disabilities. Meet Lucy*. Lucy, 74, lived her whole life serving others as a registered nurse. She developed painful arthritis that left her with chronic
FJI Wins Elmer Williams Compassionate Release from Prison
Elmer Williams was a 32-year-old father when he was sentenced to 40 years in prison for a nonviolent burglary. Now 56 years old, he has advanced prostate cancer and only six months to live. Having successfully won a conditional medical release for Elmer, Florida Justice Institute was able to help
FJI Takes Cities to Court to Stop Criminalization of Poverty
Last week, FJI attorneys went to court to stop the criminalization of poverty in our communities. Trials in two separate cases took place last week on whether panhandling ordinances violate the First Amendment, or whether cities can needlessly arrest people for requesting donations. In McDonald v. Pompano Beach, we originally
Florida Department of Corrections Pays $350,000 to Family of Incarcerated Man Brutally Murdered at Dade Correctional Institution
The family of Anthony Vidal, who was brutally murdered while incarcerated at Dade Correctional Institution (Dade CI), has settled a civil rights lawsuit against the Florida Department of Corrections and other individual officers for $350,000. The family was represented by the Florida Justice Institute (FJI), a nonprofit law firm dedicated