Two Democrats Call For Divorce By Jury Trial In Florida

Senator Lori Berman And Representative Fentrice Driskell Submit Similar Bills…

BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Florida divorces may look a lot like reality TV shows if two bills filed by two democratic lawmakers become law. Florida Senator Lori Berman of Boca Raton, and Rep. Fentrice Driskell of Hillsborough County both submitted bills stating that either party in a Florida divorce should have the right to demand a trial by jury.

Family law professionals and victim advocates tell BocaNewsNow.com that a jury trial in divorce is the last thing either party should want, as even the most contentious divorce proceedings should be resolved by a judge with family law experience and knowledge of the law. Not a jury of uneducated citizens who will watch a divorce proceeding like a reality TV show, focusing on sensational yet irrelevant accusations in a no-fault divorce state.

In an exclusive interview with BocaNewsNow.com, Sen. Berman said she didn’t mean to suggest that divorces should become public spectacles in Florida.

“I didn’t intend that,” she said. “It’s an uphill battle for any of this to move forward.”

As written, it’s difficult to see how divorce by jury trial is an unintended consequence of SB 1484 which seeks to ensure that family law proceedings involving allegations of child or elderly abuse are recorded or transcribed. The bill, which lists Sen. Berman as the sponsor on the Florida Senate website, specifically states that either party may demand a jury trial. Read line 46 below:

(9) In all disputes involving allegations of abuse or
   38  neglect of children:
   39         (a) A court reporter shall transcribe all hearings,
   40  testimony, trials, and rulings from the bench; or
   41         (b) An audio recording shall be made of all such hearings,
   42  testimony, trials, and rulings from the bench,
   43  
   44  which transcription or recording is admissible as evidence to
   45  facilitate appellate review.
   46         (10) In an action for dissolution of marriage, either party
   47  may demand a jury trial.

The bill is similar to House Bill 1589 which also calls for either party in a divorce to demand a jury trial. That bill was submitted by Rep. Driskell. BocaNewsNow.com was unsuccessful reaching her for comment Friday afternoon. Driksell’s bill was filed on February 28th and referred to several subcommittees on March 5th. She stated in the notes of her bill that it’s intended to help children:

“There are few situations as heart-rending as ones that involve children suffering abuse or neglect at the hands of a parent or guardian. In many cases, it takes incredible courage for one parent to file for divorce to ensure that children are protected from an abusive spouse. HB 1589 is designed to support individuals dealing with such difficult situations and will help protect Floridians and our state’s most vulnerable children during divorce proceedings.   To ensure that records of testimony are readily available in related legal proceedings, the bill requires transcripts and audio records of all divorce proceedings that include allegations of abuse or neglect, and requires that judges issue written findings. In some communities, an individual accused of abuse or neglect may have direct ties to the legal system, which may bias the results of a case. By allowing divorce litigants to request a jury trial, we return a measure of impartiality to the process.”

But just like Sen. Berman’s bill, it buries the “divorce by jury trial” language.

Share your thoughts on “divorce by jury” in our comments section, below. We’ll update our reporting when and if we hear from Rep. Driskell, or if the language is dramatically changed in either bill.

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