Ethics
Florida AG held in civil contempt for disobeying order; ‘litigants can not change the plain that means of phrases,’ decide says
Florida Lawyer Normal James Uthmeier speaks throughout a gathering on the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, on March 5, 2025. (Picture by Rebecca Blackwell/The Related Press)
A federal decide held Florida Lawyer Normal James Uthmeier in civil contempt of courtroom Tuesday for disobeying an order briefly blocking a state immigration legislation.
U.S. District Decide Kathleen M. Williams of the Southern District of Florida stated Uthmeier disobeyed her directive to offer 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 possible 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 informed legislation enforcement businesses about Williams’ order. Then, in an April 23 letter, Uthmeier stated he thinks that Williams’ order can’t bind impartial legislation enforcement businesses as a result of they aren’t events to the case.
“No lawful, professional order at present impedes” enforcement of the unlawful entry legislation, Uthmeier stated within the letter.
Williams stated Uthmeier additionally “publicly disavowed” his compliance a number of occasions, stating that he wouldn’t “bow down” to the courtroom.
Williams had argued that Uthmeier’s letter was supposed to clarify his authorized views and to maintain legislation enforcement knowledgeable of litigation updates. Williams stated Uthmeier was twisting the that means of his phrases.
“Litigants can not change the plain that means of phrases because it fits them, particularly when conveying a courtroom’s clear and unambiguous order,” stated Williams, an appointee of former President Barack Obama. “Constancy to the rule of legislation can don’t have any different that means.”
Williams dominated just a few weeks after a listening to during which she stated “anarchy” could be the consequence if officers corresponding to Uthmeier fail to comply with courtroom orders, in line with the New York Instances.
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 courtroom if he learns of arrests, Williams stated.
Uthmeier responded in a submit on X, previously often known as 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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