Skip to Navigation | Skip to Main Content | Skip to Site Map

MyFloridaHouse.gov | Mobile Site

Senate Tracker: Sign Up | Login

The Florida Senate

2014 Florida Statutes

Title XLVII CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS
Chapter 961 VICTIMS OF WRONGFUL INCARCERATION COMPENSATION Entire Chapter
SECTION 056
Alternative application for compensation for a wrongfully incarcerated person.
F.S. 961.056
961.056 Alternative application for compensation for a wrongfully incarcerated person.—
(1) A person who has been determined to be a wrongfully incarcerated person pursuant to s. 961.055 is eligible to apply to the department to receive compensation for such wrongful incarceration.
(a) Only the wrongfully incarcerated person may apply for compensation. The estate of, or personal representative for, a decedent may not apply on behalf of the decedent for compensation for wrongful incarceration.
(b) In order to receive compensation, the wrongfully incarcerated person shall, by July 1, 2016, submit to the Department of Legal Affairs an application for compensation irrespective of whether the person has previously sought compensation under this chapter. The application must include:
1. A certified copy of the nolle prosequi or nolle prosequi memorandum;
2. Certified copies of the original judgment and sentence;
3. Documentation demonstrating the length of the sentence served, including documentation from the Department of Corrections regarding the person’s admission into and release from the custody of the Department of Corrections;
4. Positive proof of identification, as evidenced by two full sets of fingerprints prepared by a law enforcement agency of this state and a current form of photo identification;
5. Supporting documentation of any fine, penalty, or court costs imposed on and paid by the wrongfully incarcerated person as described in s. 961.06(1);
6. Supporting documentation of any reasonable attorney fees and expenses as described in s. 961.06(1); and
7. Any other documentation, evidence, or information required by rules adopted by the department.
(2) The law enforcement agency that prepared the applicant’s set of fingerprints shall forward both full sets to the Department of Law Enforcement. The Department of Law Enforcement shall retain one set for statewide criminal records checks and forward the second set of fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for national criminal records checks. The results of the state and national records checks shall be submitted to the department.
(3) Upon receipt of an application, the department shall examine the application and, within 30 days after receipt of the application, shall notify the claimant of any error or omission and request any additional information relevant to the review of the application.
(a) The claimant has 15 days after proper notification by the department to correct any identified error or omission in the application and to supply any additional information relevant to the application.
(b) The department may not deny an application for failure of the claimant to correct an error or omission or to supply additional information unless the department has notified the claimant of such error or omission and requested the additional information within the 30-day period specified in this subsection.
(c) The department shall process and review each complete application within 90 calendar days.
(d) Once the department determines whether a claim for compensation meets the requirements of this chapter, the department shall notify the claimant within 5 business days after that determination.
(4) If the department determines that a claimant making application under this section meets the requirements of this chapter, the wrongfully incarcerated person is entitled to compensation under s. 961.06.
(5)(a) No portion of the compensation paid to a claimant making application under this section may be used for attorney fees, lobbyist fees, or costs relating to assisting the claimant in receiving such compensation.
(b) A person who accepts any portion of the compensation paid to a claimant making application under this section as payment for attorney fees, lobbyist fees, or costs relating to assisting the claimant in receiving such compensation commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(6) This section is repealed July 1, 2018.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2014-198.