Filed Date: Dec. 18, 2023
Closed Date: Nov. 6, 2024
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This case challenged a panhandling ordinance in Miami, Florida on first amendment grounds.
On December 18, 2023, the plaintiff brought this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against the city of Miami. The plaintiff was a homeless man in Miami who was previously arrested and cited for panhandling under the city’s ordinance, which banned soliciting donations on public property within the downtown business district of Miami. Seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, along with compensatory and nominal damages, the plaintiff claimed that Miami’s ordinance violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution both facially and as-applied to him. Specifically, he claimed that the ordinance was a content-based restriction of speech because it singled out the solicitation of donations while allowing other forms of speech in the same area. He also claimed that the ordinance was facially overbroad because it punished protected speech and had a chilling effect. The case was assigned to Judge Federico A. Moreno.
On December 18, 2023, the plaintiff filed a motion for a preliminary injunction. But before the defendant responded, the parties submitted a joint notice of settlement on February 29, 2024. The parties then stipulated to dismissal of the claims, and the court dismissed the case with prejudice on May 9, 2024. The settlement agreement was private, but news reports indicate that the plaintiff received $45,000. The court retained jurisdiction over the matter to enforce the terms of the settlement for 6 months. The case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Connor Mulvena (4/15/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68097776/parties/white-v-city-of-miami/
Moreno, Federico A. (Florida)
Taseff, Raymond J. (Florida)
Trevisani, Dante Pasquale (Florida)
Capdevila, Bryan E. (Florida)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68097776/white-v-city-of-miami/
Last updated Aug. 16, 2025, 5:16 a.m.
State / Territory: Florida
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Dec. 18, 2023
Closing Date: Nov. 6, 2024
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A homeless man in Miami, Florida.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Amount Defendant Pays: $45,000
Issues
General/Misc.: