Doe v. State

I fully agree with the majority’s characterization of the petitions before us as reviewable only by mandamus. I also share Judge Wallace’s well-informed concerns about the use of videoconferencing technology within Baker Act court proceedings.

Nevertheless, I cannot join the court’s holding today because of two concerns I hold. The crux of the issue before us revolves around how one defines a ministerial, judicial duty for purposes of mandamus relief. My colleagues have applied a narrow definition of that duty in these cases (essentially holding that because no statute, court opinion, or…