Florida AG Found in Contempt

Florida’s attorney general was held in civil contempt by a federal judge on Tuesday for her decision to halt a new state law that would have made it a misdemeanor for those who are unlawfully in the country to enter the state. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s claims that he did not violate her order halting the statute were deemed unpersuasive by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams. The judge was legally incorrect, according to Uthmeier’s memo, and he was powerless to stop police and deputies from upholding the law. Two weeks ago, a contempt hearing took place in Miami. As part of the punishment, the judge mandated that Uthmeier submit to her fortnightly reports regarding any arrests, detentions, or law enforcement operations carried out in accordance with the law, which is being contested in court by organizations advocating for immigrant rights. The judge rejected Uthmeier’s request a day ago to halt her previous injunction while it was being reviewed. According to Williams, the immigration statute is probably going to be ruled unlawful, thus the injunction prevented law enforcement from implementing it. Williams’ judgment came after the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a similar motion from Uthmeier earlier this month. The matter is still far from being settled, according to the appellate judges.

Source: AP News