375 So. 2d 866 | Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | 1979
The petitioner City of Miami Beach is the defendant below in a cause brought by the present respondent, Jacquelyn Town. The complaint sought to restrain the city from violating Town’s constitutional rights through what she alleges is the unlawful practice of infiltrating undercover agents onto her premises where the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church apparently conducts its affairs.
We conclude that certiorari must be granted as to the following question:
“Q. Is there anyone in there at the present time that is there at your behest, that is, the Miami Beach Police behest, such as Pemberton?”2 [e. s.]
It is obvious that this question concerns an allegedly on-going police investigation, and that any answer may serve not only to compromise the investigation, but also to cause actual physical danger to those involved. Our courts have rightly recognized and enforced a strong public policy in favor
As to the other questions considered in the order below, the petition is denied. Again without passing on the merits of the issues involved,
Certiorari granted in part, denied in part.
. We express no opinion as to the validity of this claim, since the action of the trial judge in denying the city’s motion to dismiss the complaint is not before us.
. Pemberton was a person who had allegedly been retained in the past by Miami Beach, but who had been discovered (and converted) by the Coptics.
. Since no documents were ordered produced, neither the Public Records Act, Chap. 119, Fla. Stat. (1978), nor the recent amendment to the act effected by Chapter 79-187, Fla. Laws (1979) is directly pertinent at this stage of the proceedings.
. See note 1, supra.