What should the Legislature do to improve conditions for a strong judiciary in Florida?
A. This question involves both the roles of each branch, and the separation of powers between them. Most (but not all) of these issues are well defined in the Constitution. In my view, the legislature’s principal duty in this regard is to provide adequate resources and funding so that every citizen has access to justice when they need it. Due to Cannon 7, I will not discuss areas in which the legislature might be seen as invading the province of the judiciary, because such questions may come before the court. Fortunately, our appellate system provides greater oversight of, and a better forum for, these constitutional questions of separation of powers.
