The Supreme Court of Florida denied Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala’s petition challenging Governor Rick Scott’s authority to reassign the prosecution of death-penalty eligible cases in the Ninth Circuit to Brad King, State Attorney for Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit.

RumbergerKirk partner Dan Gerber filed an Amicus Brief in support of the Governor’s authority and in support of families of homicide victims.

“This is an important ruling about constitutional issues regarding the state attorneys’ and governor’s roles in ensuring prosecutions are pursued without bias,” said Gerber. “This ruling affirms the rights guaranteed in the Florida constitution that family members of homicide victims must have a right to meaningful input in criminal prosecutions.”

To read the Court’s opinion, click here. 

The Orlando Sentinel spoke with Dan Gerber about the case for this article.