While we handle many types of cases at the Woodring Law Firm, constitutional cases are our focus. Mr. Woodring has been actively involved in many of the high-profile constitutional cases in Florida over the last ten years, including cases dealing with the right to privacy; racial an d religious discrimination; collective bargaining; school choice; charter schools; proposed constitutional amendments; ballot summary and title cases; single subject challenges; budget vetoes and proviso language challenges; fiscal impact statement challenges;tax and budget reform; doing away with race as as basis for the award of government contracts and admission to the state university system; free speech cases; religious freedom cases; redistricting cases; election law cases such as Bush v. Gore; defending statutes against ACLU challenges; choose life license plates; parental notification; parental rights cases; equity in educational funding; governance of the Florida Education System, including the roles of the Board of Governors, the State Universities and the State Board of Education.
Cases dealing with constitutional issues are the most important cases in the entire field of law, and impact the most people. There is also a finality to constitutional cases, because cases interpreting constitutional provisions are the last word on what can be done in a particular area of the law and can only be changed by amending the constitution, or if the U.S. Supreme Court or the Florida Supreme Court can be convinced to change their initial ruling. Every case is important, particularly to the parties to the case, but constitutional cases are of great importance not only to the parties to the case, but are important to everyone that will be bound by that ruling and unable to change it without amendment or a change in the court's opinion. This is one reason that amicus briefs, friend of the court briefs, are often filed in constitutional cases by individuals who are concerned about the outcome, but not a party to the case.
Broadly defined, a constitutional case exists any time a case requires that a portion of a state or federal constitution to be interpreted. Constitutional cases often allege or defend a statute, administrative rule, or executive action, as being violative of the state or federal constitution, and more infrequently, may allege or defend a state constitutional provision as being unconstitutional under the Federal Constitution, or as preempted by federal law.
When you believe you may have a constitutional claim or need to defend against a constitutional challenge; when you need help amending the constitution or defeating a proposed amendment; when you think a statute or rule is unconstitutional;or when you are concerned about the impact a constitutional case you heard about might have on you, please contact us. We would like to discuss any potential constitutional case with you.
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