In January 2025, Florida enacted the “Halo Law,” introducing a 25-foot buffer zone around law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. This legislation aims to enhance the safety of first responders by limiting public proximity during active duties. However, it has sparked debates concerning potential conflicts with First Amendment rights, particularly regarding freedom of…
Continue reading ›Introduction The Fifth District Court of Appeal of Florida recently issued its opinion in Brandon Robert Holifield v. State of Florida, affirming the trial court’s decision to deny Holifield’s motion to suppress evidence obtained during an inventory search of his vehicle. The case centered on whether law enforcement used the inventory search as a pretext to conduct…
Continue reading ›Florida has recently enacted sweeping new immigration legislation, imposing stricter penalties on undocumented immigrants accused of crimes. The law, which is among the most severe in the country, increases criminal penalties, mandates automatic deportation in certain cases, and even introduces the possibility of a mandatory death sentence for first-degree murder convictions involving undocumented immigrants. These…
Continue reading ›Introduction A motion to suppress is one of the most powerful tools in criminal defense, allowing a defendant to exclude illegally obtained evidence from being used against them in court. If law enforcement violated a person’s constitutional rightsduring an arrest, search, or interrogation, a criminal defense attorney can file a motion to suppress to challenge the admissibility of that evidence.…
Continue reading ›Earlier today, Andrew Bonderud was featured as an in-studio guest for Jacksonville’s local public radio’s call-in program “First Coast Connect”. Regarded by many as an expert in the areas of civil rights, criminal defense, and related public policy, Andrew was asked about new policies at the Duval County Jail. You can listen to the interview…
Continue reading ›The Bonderud Law Firm and the ACLU of Louisiana successfully defended the First Amendment rights of a Louisiana journalist who was sued for defamation in Jacksonville, Florida. The case was Nicholas Dean v. Charles Easterling and Advance Local Media, LLC, case no. 3:19-cv-566-TJC-JK. The plaintiff had filed a complaint, alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional…
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