Ethics
Florida AG held in civil contempt for disobeying order; ‘litigants can not change the plain which means of phrases,’ decide says
Florida Lawyer Common James Uthmeier speaks throughout a gathering on the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, on March 5, 2025. (Photograph by Rebecca Blackwell/The Related Press)
A federal decide held Florida Lawyer Common James Uthmeier in civil contempt of court docket Tuesday for disobeying an order briefly blocking a state immigration legislation.
U.S. District Decide Kathleen M. Williams of the Southern District of Florida mentioned Uthmeier disobeyed her directive to supply precise discover of a short lived restraining order to legislation enforcement businesses with energy to implement it.
The April 18 TRO had blocked a legislation that made it a state crime for immigrants within the nation to illegally enter Florida.
The choice was a “uncommon and forceful rebuke,” in line with a June 17 press release by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, one of many teams representing the plaintiffs.
The New York Times, Law360, the Tampa Bay Times and NBC News are among the many publications protecting Williams’ June 17 order.
Williams issued the TRO after discovering that the Florida legislation was probably preempted by federal legislation. She later issued an injunction, which the eleventh U.S. Circuit Court docket of Appeals at Atlanta refused to disturb, in line with Law360.
At first, Uthmeier instructed legislation enforcement businesses about Williams’ order. Then, in an April 23 letter, Uthmeier mentioned he thinks that Williams’ order can’t bind unbiased legislation enforcement businesses as a result of they aren’t events to the case.
“No lawful, professional order presently impedes” enforcement of the unlawful entry legislation, Uthmeier mentioned within the letter.
Williams mentioned Uthmeier additionally “publicly disavowed” his compliance a number of occasions, stating that he wouldn’t “bow down” to the court docket.
Williams had argued that Uthmeier’s letter was meant to clarify his authorized views and to maintain legislation enforcement knowledgeable of litigation updates. Williams mentioned Uthmeier was twisting the which means of his phrases.
“Litigants can not change the plain which means of phrases because it fits them, particularly when conveying a court docket’s clear and unambiguous order,” mentioned Williams, an appointee of former President Barack Obama. “Constancy to the rule of legislation can haven’t any different which means.”
Williams dominated just a few weeks after a listening to wherein she mentioned “anarchy” can be the outcome if officers similar to Uthmeier fail to observe court docket orders, in line with the New York Occasions.
Williams ordered Uthmeier to file biweekly experiences detailing whether or not arrests, detentions or legislation enforcement actions had been undertaken. He must also instantly notify the court docket if he learns of arrests, Williams mentioned.
Uthmeier responded in a submit on X, previously often called Twitter.
“If being held in contempt is what it prices to defend the rule of legislation and stand firmly behind President Trump’s agenda on unlawful immigration, so be it,” he wrote.
The case is Florida Immigrant Coalition v. Uthmeier.
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