Following the provisions of Florida’s recently passed “Timely Justice Act,” the clerk of the state’s Supreme Court has identified 132 inmates on death row who are “warrant ready,” based on their appeals. However, fewer than 20 of those inmates have begun the executive clemency process that must be completed before an execution can take place. Once the governor signals that the clemency process is over for an inmate, a death warrant must be signed in 30 days, but there is no mandatory schedule for the initial review. Over 150 attorneys representing inmates on Florida’s death row are challenging the constitutionality of the law, saying it violates the separation of powers, as well as the inmates’ rights to due process and equal protection. Stephen Harper, a law professor at Florida International University, said, “This [law] could create an unnecessary constitutional mess between the governor, the Legislature and the Florida Supreme Court as it’s being litigated right now.” Florida has already executed 5 inmates in 2013, second only to Texas. No one on death row has been granted clemency in Florida in 30 years.

(D. Kim, “New ‘Timely Justice Act’ not so timely,” News Service of Florida, October 7, 2013). See Recent Legislation.

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