Andrew Warren

Georgia Court Dismisses Andrew Warren’s Lawsuit Against Florida Gov. DeSantis

Andrew Warren
Andrew Warren (File)

The legal battle between former Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has come to an end, with a federal appeals court dismissing Warren’s lawsuit challenging his suspension as moot.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Friday that the case is no longer relevant since Warren’s term in office officially ended on Tuesday. Warren, who was elected in 2020 and suspended by DeSantis in 2022, also lost his bid for re-election in November.

“Because Warren’s term of office has concluded, we cannot grant him any meaningful relief on appeal in this case,” the court stated in its opinion. “Any decision on the merits of his claims would be an advisory opinion.”

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Warren’s attorneys had argued that the case should proceed, even after his term expired, to potentially allow him to seek back pay for the time he was suspended. However, the court rejected this argument, citing state law that only permits back pay if an official resumes their duties.

DeSantis’ suspension of Warren in 2022 drew national attention. The Republican governor accused the Democratic state attorney of “incompetence and willful defiance of his duties,” citing Warren’s signing of statements opposing the prosecution of abortion cases and criticizing laws restricting care for transgender people. DeSantis also took issue with Warren’s policies that could have limited prosecutions related to certain police stops and low-level offenses.  

Warren vehemently denied the accusations and filed a lawsuit alleging that his suspension violated his First Amendment rights.

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The case went through various legal twists and turns. A U.S. District Judge initially ruled that while the suspension violated some First Amendment protections, DeSantis would have suspended Warren based on other factors. An appeals court panel later vacated that ruling, finding the suspension unconstitutional, but the full appeals court ultimately dismissed the case as moot.  

With the dismissal of Warren’s lawsuit, DeSantis has effectively prevailed in this legal battle. Suzy Lopez, the former county judge appointed by DeSantis to replace Warren, was sworn in for a full term as state attorney on Tuesday.  

This case highlights the ongoing tension between Florida’s Republican leadership and elected officials who challenge the state’s conservative policies. It also underscores the complexities of First Amendment rights and the limitations on legal challenges when an official’s term has expired.

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