Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #361FY0102

Indigent Appelants-2nd District

Requester:

Amy Merrill

Organization:

Manatee County

Project Title:

Indigent Appelants-2nd District

Date Submitted:

1/12/2002 3:07:59 PM

Sponsors:

Lesley Miller

Statewide Interest:

Regional request for reduction of backlog in 2nd Appelant Court.

Recipient:

Manatee County

Contact:

Amy Merrill

1112 Manatee Avenue West

Contact Phone:

(417) 493-0303 685

Bradenton, FL 34205

Counties:

Manatee

Gov't Entity:

Yes

Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):

Project Description:

Currently, the Public Defender of the Tenth Judicial, headquartered in Bartow, represents indigent appelants in felony appeals arising in the Circuit Court of fourteen counties comprising the Second Appelate District, which includes Manatee County.� In fiscal years 1998-1999, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 the Public Defender of the Tenth Judicial Circuit received a special State appropriation in the amount of $300,000 to assist in eliminating the backlog of such appeal cases, which has been the subject of litigation in the Second District Court of Appeals and the Florida Supreme Court.� In addition, by court order, the counties have been required to fund special appelate defenders pending reduction of the backlog.� In order to further alleviate the backlog and to reduce or eliminate the burden on the Second Appelate District to fund indigent felony appeals, the Legislature is urged to continue the special appropriation of $300,000 in future years.

Measurable Outcome Anticipated:

Reduction of backlog.

Amount requested from the State for this project this year:

$300,000

Total cost of the project:

$3,000,000

Request has been made to fund:

Operations

What type of match exists for this project?

None

Was this project previously funded by the State?

Yes

Fiscal Year:

2000-2001

Amount:

$3,000,000

Is future-year funding likely to be requested?

Yes

Amount:

$3,000,000

Purpose for future year funding:

Recurring Operations

Will this be an annual request?

Yes

Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?

No

Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?

No

Is there a documented need for this project?

Unknown

Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?

Yes

Hearing Body:

Manatee County Legislative Delegation

Meeting Date:

12/12/2001