John Doe, Petitioners v. State of Florida, Respondent

Summary

The Florida Supreme Court held that a judicial officer has an indisputable legal duty to be physically present at Baker Act involuntary commitment hearings unless the parties consent, quashing the Second District’s decision and remanding for compliance. The Court based its holding on constitutional due‑process guarantees, longstanding judicial tradition, and Rule 2.530(d)(1) which forbids testimony via communication equipment without consent. A concurring separate opinion agreed with the result but limited its reasoning to Rule 2.530(d)(1).