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Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach, Florida - Post-Decision SCOTUScast
SCOTUScast 1-18-13 featuring Rod Sullivan
January 18, 2013
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Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach, Florida - Post-Argument SCOTUScast - MP3
Running Time: 00:10:21
On January 15, 2013, the Supreme Court announced its decision in Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach, Florida. The case considers whether a floating home that was unable to navigate and indefinitely attached to a dock constituted a “vessel” for purposes of federal maritime law. Although the City had obtained a court order requiring the sale of the home (due to non-payment of bills for city services) and then purchased it at the subsequent auction, the disposition of a bond the City posted in the course of the litigation remained in question.
In an opinion delivered by Justice Breyer, the Court held by a vote of 7-2 that such a floating structure does not constitute a ‘vessel’ because a reasonable observer would not conclude it was such, and thus does not fall within the scope of federal maritime law. Justice Sotomayor filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justice Kennedy.
To discuss the case, we have Rod Sullivan, who is an Associate Professor at Florida Coastal School of Law.
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Related Links
| Opinion - January 15, 2013 (PDF) |
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| Oral Argument Transcript - October 2, 2012 (PDF) |
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| Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach, Florida - Post-Argument SCOTUScast |
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