Senate Bill 0012Ae1

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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to capital offenses; creating

  3         the "Death Penalty Reform Act of 2000";

  4         amending s. 27.702, F.S.; providing limitation

  5         on the filing of postconviction and collateral

  6         actions; amending s. 119.19, F.S.; revising

  7         provisions relating to capital postconviction

  8         public records production; amending s. 922.095,

  9         F.S.; revising provisions with respect to

10         grounds for a death warrant; providing a

11         limitation on actions; amending s. 924.055,

12         F.S.; revising provisions with respect to

13         postconviction review in capital cases;

14         providing for legislative findings and intent;

15         creating s. 924.056, F.S.; providing for

16         capital postconviction proceedings for which a

17         sentence of death is imposed on or after the

18         effective date of this act; creating s.

19         924.057, F.S.; providing for a limitation on

20         postconviction cases in which the death

21         sentence was imposed before the effective date

22         of this act; creating s. 924.058, F.S.;

23         providing for capital postconviction claims;

24         creating s. 924.059, F.S.; providing for time

25         limitations on judicial review in capital

26         postconviction actions; repealing Rule 3.850,

27         Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, relating

28         to the grant of a new trial to the extent it is

29         inconsistent with this act; repealing Rule

30         3.851, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure,

31         relating to collateral relief after the death


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1         sentence has been imposed; repealing Rule

  2         3.852, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure,

  3         relating to capital postconviction public

  4         records production; amending s. 27.710, F.S.;

  5         providing for the appointment of attorneys to

  6         represent persons in collateral actions;

  7         amending s. 27.51, F.S.; prohibiting specified

  8         public defenders from providing appellate

  9         representation for certain persons sentenced to

10         death; amending s. 27.703, F.S.; providing for

11         designation of alternative regional counsel

12         when there is a conflict of interest; revising

13         provisions governing the payment of such

14         counsel; providing for the transfer of funds to

15         be used for contracts with private attorneys

16         and authorizing additional support positions;

17         amending s. 27.709, F.S.; requiring the

18         Commission on Capital Cases to compile and

19         analyze case-tracking reports produced by the

20         Supreme Court; amending s. 27.711, F.S.;

21         revising provisions governing the payment of

22         assigned counsel; providing for review of the

23         billings of assigned counsel; creating s.

24         924.395, F.S.; providing for sanctions against

25         any person within the court's jurisdiction for

26         certain actions taken in capital postconviction

27         proceedings or appeals therefrom; creating s.

28         922.108, F.S.; providing for sentencing orders

29         in capital cases; repealing s. 924.051(6)(b),

30         F.S., which imposes limitations on the filing

31         of motions for collateral or other


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1         postconviction relief and on the calling of

  2         expert witnesses; requesting the Supreme Court

  3         to study the feasibility of requiring all

  4         capital postconviction actions to be filed in

  5         the Supreme Court and requesting the Court to

  6         submit its recommendations by a specified date;

  7         providing for severability; providing an

  8         effective date.

  9         WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the

10  administration of justice that a sentence of death ordered by

11  the courts of this state be carried out in a manner that is

12  fair, just, and humane and that conforms to constitutional

13  requirements, and

14         WHEREAS, in order for capital punishment to be fair,

15  just, and humane for both the family of victims and for

16  offenders, there must be a prompt and efficient administration

17  of justice following any sentence of death ordered by the

18  courts of this state, and

19         WHEREAS, in order to ensure the fair, just, and humane

20  administration of capital punishment, it is necessary for the

21  Legislature to comprehensively address both the method by

22  which an execution is carried out and the processes by which

23  an offender sentenced to death may pursue postconviction and

24  collateral review of the judgment and the sentence of death,

25  NOW, THEREFORE,

26

27  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

28

29         Section 1.  This act may be cited as the "Death Penalty

30  Reform Act of 2000."

31


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1         Section 2.  Subsection (1) of section 27.702, Florida

  2  Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         27.702  Duties of the capital collateral regional

  4  counsel; reports.--

  5         (1)  The capital collateral regional counsel shall

  6  represent each person convicted and sentenced to death in this

  7  state for the sole purpose of instituting and prosecuting

  8  collateral actions challenging the legality of the judgment

  9  and sentence imposed against such person in the state courts,

10  federal courts in this state, the United States Court of

11  Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States

12  Supreme Court. The capital collateral regional counsel and the

13  attorneys appointed pursuant to s. 27.710 shall file only

14  those postconviction or collateral actions authorized by

15  statute. The three capital collateral regional counsels'

16  offices shall function independently and be separate budget

17  entities, and the regional counsels shall be the office heads

18  for all purposes. The Justice Administrative Commission shall

19  provide administrative support and service to the three

20  offices to the extent requested by the regional counsels. The

21  three regional offices shall not be subject to control,

22  supervision, or direction by the Justice Administrative

23  Commission in any manner, including, but not limited to,

24  personnel, purchasing, transactions involving real or personal

25  property, and budgetary matters.

26         Section 3.  Section 119.19, Florida Statutes, is

27  amended to read:

28         119.19  Capital postconviction public records

29  production.--

30         (1)  As used in this section, the term "trial court"

31  means:


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1         (a)  The judge who entered the judgment and imposed the

  2  sentence of death; or

  3         (b)  If a motion for postconviction relief in a capital

  4  case under Rule 3.850 or Rule 3.851 has been filed and a

  5  different judge has already been assigned to that motion, the

  6  judge who is assigned to rule on that motion.

  7         (2)  The Secretary of State shall establish and

  8  maintain a records repository for the purpose of archiving

  9  capital postconviction public records as provided for in this

10  section.

11         (3)(a)  Upon imposition of a death sentence or upon the

12  effective date of this act with respect to any case in which a

13  death sentence has been imposed but the mandate has not yet

14  been issued in an appeal affirming the sentence, issuance of

15  the Florida Supreme Court's mandate, the Attorney General

16  shall promptly provide written notification to the state

17  attorney who prosecuted the case that a death sentence has

18  been affirmed. Upon receipt of such notification, the

19  prosecuting state attorney shall promptly provide written

20  notification to each law enforcement agency involved in the

21  case and to the Department of Corrections. If available, the

22  written notification must include the defendant's date of

23  birth, sex, race, and police-case numbers included in the

24  prosecuting attorney's case file.

25         (b)  Within 60 90 days after receipt of notification,

26  each law enforcement agency involved in the case and the

27  prosecuting state attorney who prosecuted the case shall copy,

28  seal, and deliver to the repository all public records, except

29  for those filed in the trial court, which were produced in the

30  investigation or prosecution of the case or, if the records

31  are confidential or exempt, to the clerk of the court in the


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  county in which the capital case was tried. Each agency shall

  2  bear the costs of its own compliance.

  3         (4)(a)  Upon issuance of the Florida Supreme Court's

  4  mandate, the Attorney General shall promptly provide written

  5  notification to the Department of Corrections that a death row

  6  inmate's sentence has been affirmed.

  7         (c)(b)  Within 60 90 days after notification, the

  8  Department of Corrections shall copy, seal, and deliver to the

  9  repository or, if the records are confidential or exempt, to

10  the clerk of the court in the county in which the capital case

11  was tried all public records determined by the department to

12  be relevant to the subject matter of a capital postconviction

13  claim of the person sentenced to death proceeding under Rule

14  3.850 or Rule 3.851 and where such production would not be

15  unduly burdensome for the department. The department shall

16  bear the costs.

17         (4)(5)(a)  The chief law enforcement officer of each

18  law enforcement agency that was involved in the case, whether

19  through an investigation, arrest, prosecution, or

20  incarceration, shall notify the Attorney General upon

21  compliance with subsection (3) and shall certify that to the

22  best of his or her knowledge and belief all public records in

23  possession of the agency or in possession of any employee of

24  the agency have been copied, indexed, and delivered to the

25  records repository or, if the records are confidential or

26  exempt, to the clerk of the court in the county in which the

27  capital case was tried as required by this section subsection

28  (3).

29         (b)  The prosecuting state attorney who prosecuted the

30  case shall provide written notification to the Attorney

31  General upon compliance with subsection (3) and shall certify


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  that to the best of his or her knowledge and belief all public

  2  records in his or her possession have been copied, indexed,

  3  and delivered to the records repository or, if the records are

  4  confidential or exempt, to the clerk of the court in the

  5  county in which the capital case was tried as required by this

  6  section subsection (3).

  7         (c)  The Secretary of Corrections shall provide written

  8  notification to the Attorney General upon compliance with

  9  paragraph (3)(c) subsection (4) and shall certify that to the

10  best of his or her knowledge and belief all public records in

11  the department's possession have been copied, indexed, and

12  delivered to the records repository or, if the records are

13  confidential or exempt, to the clerk of the court in the

14  county in which the capital case was tried as required by this

15  section paragraph (4)(b).

16         (5)(6)(a)  Within 60 90 days after the imposition of a

17  death sentence or upon the effective date of this act with

18  respect to any case in which a death sentence has been imposed

19  but the mandate has not yet been issued in an appeal affirming

20  the sentence issuance of the Florida Supreme Court's mandate

21  affirming a death sentence, both the public defender or

22  private counsel for the defendant and the prosecuting state

23  attorney involved in the case shall provide written

24  notification to the Attorney General of the name and address

25  of any person or agency in addition to those persons and

26  agencies listed in subsection subsections (3) and (4) which

27  may have information pertinent to the case unless previously

28  provided to the capital collateral regional counsel or

29  postconviction private counsel. The Attorney General shall

30  promptly provide written notification to each identified

31  person or agency after receiving the information from the


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  public defender, private counsel for the defendant, or

  2  prosecuting state attorney and shall request that all public

  3  records in the possession of the person or agency which

  4  pertain to the case be copied, sealed, and delivered to the

  5  records repository.

  6         (b)  Within 30 90 days after receiving a request for

  7  public records under paragraph (a), the person or agency shall

  8  provide written notification to the Attorney General of

  9  compliance with this subsection and shall certify that to the

10  best of his or her knowledge and belief all public records

11  requested have been copied, indexed, and delivered to the

12  records repository.

13         (6)(7)(a)  Any public record delivered to the records

14  repository under this section which is confidential or exempt

15  from the requirements of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of

16  the State Constitution must be separately boxed, without being

17  redacted, and sealed. The box must be delivered to the clerk

18  of court in the county in which the capital case was tried.

19  The outside of the box must clearly identify the public

20  records as exempt, and the seal may not be broken without an

21  order of the trial court. The outside of the box must identify

22  the nature of the public records and the legal basis under

23  which the public records are exempt.

24         (b)  Upon the entry of an appropriate court order,

25  sealed boxes subject to an inspection by the trial court shall

26  be shipped to the respective clerk of court. Such a box may be

27  opened only for an inspection by the trial court in camera and

28  only after notice giving with a representative of the agency

29  the option to have a representative present at the unsealing

30  by the court. The moving party shall bear all costs associated

31


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  with the transportation and inspection of such records by the

  2  trial court.

  3         (7)(8)(a)  Within 180 90 days after a capital

  4  collateral regional counsel or private counsel is appointed to

  5  represent a defendant sentenced to death, or within 30 days

  6  after issuance of the Florida Supreme Court's mandate

  7  affirming a death sentence, whichever is later, the regional

  8  counsel, private counsel, or other counsel who is a member of

  9  The Florida Bar and is authorized by such counsel representing

10  a defendant may shall send a written demand for additional

11  public records to each person or agency submitting public

12  records under subsection subsections (3) and (4) and to each

13  person or agency identified as having information pertinent to

14  the case under subsection (5) (6). Should the written demand

15  include requests for records associated with particular named

16  individuals, the written demand shall also include a brief

17  statement describing each named persons role in the case and

18  relationship to the defendant. Race, sex and date of birth

19  shall also be included in the demand if the public defender,

20  private counsel or capital collateral regional counsel has

21  such information. Each person or agency notified under this

22  subsection shall, within 60 90 days after receipt of the

23  written demand, deliver to the records repository or, if the

24  records are confidential or exempt, to the clerk of the court

25  in the county in which the capital case was tried any

26  additional public records in the possession of the person or

27  agency which pertain to the case and shall certify that to the

28  best of his or her knowledge and belief all additional public

29  records have been delivered to the Attorney General or, if no

30  additional public records are found, shall recertify that the

31  public records previously delivered are complete.


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1         (b)  Within 25 60 days after receiving the written

  2  demand, the agency or person may file an objection in the

  3  trial court alleging that the request is overly broad or

  4  unduly burdensome. Within 30 days after the filing of an

  5  objection, the trial court shall hold a hearing and order an

  6  agency or person to produce additional public records if it

  7  finds each of the following:

  8         1.  The regional counsel or private counsel has made a

  9  timely and diligent search as provided in this section.

10         2.  The regional or private counsel's written demand

11  identifies, with specificity, those additional public records

12  that are not at the repository.

13         3.  The additional public records sought are relevant

14  to the subject matter of a capital postconviction relief

15  proceeding under Rule 3.850 or Rule 3.851 or appear reasonably

16  calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence in

17  prosecuting such claim.

18         4.  The additional public records request is not

19  overbroad or unduly burdensome.

20         (c)  The Attorney General and state attorney shall

21  provide notification as provided in subsections (3) and (4) on

22  cases where the mandate has issued on the date that this

23  statute becomes effective, but where initial requests for

24  public records have not been made.

25         (c)(d)  If, on the date that this statute becomes

26  effective, a defendant is represented by appointed capital

27  collateral regional counsel or private counsel, and he or she

28  has initiated the public records request process, counsel

29  shall file within 90 days of the effective date of this

30  statute, a written demand for any additional records that have

31  not previously been the subject of a notice to produce. An


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  agency may file an objection to such additional demand, and

  2  the trial court shall hold a hearing as provided by paragraph

  3  (b). This statute shall not be a basis for renewing requests

  4  that have been initiated previously or for relitigating issues

  5  pertaining to production of public records upon which a court

  6  has ruled prior to the effective date of the statute, or for

  7  stopping an execution which has been scheduled based upon a

  8  warrant executed by the Governor prior to the effective date

  9  of the statute.

10         (d)(e)  If, on October 1, 1998 the date that this

11  statute becomes effective, the defendant has had a Rule 3.850

12  motion denied and no Rule 3.850 motion was is pending, no

13  additional requests shall be made by capital collateral

14  regional counsel or contracted private counsel until a death

15  warrant is signed by the Governor and an execution is

16  scheduled. Within 10 days of the signing of the death warrant,

17  capital collateral regional counsel or contracted private

18  counsel may request of a person or agency that the defendant

19  has previously requested to produce records any records

20  previously requested to which no objection was raised or

21  sustained, but which the agency has received or produced since

22  the previous request or which for any reason the agency has in

23  its possession and did not produce within 10 days of the

24  receipt of the previous notice or such shorter time period

25  ordered by the court to comply with the time for the scheduled

26  execution. The person or agency shall produce the record or

27  shall file in the trial court an affidavit stating that it

28  does not have the requested record or that the record has been

29  produced previously.

30         (8)(9)(a)  After production of additional public

31  records or recertification as provided in subsection (7) (8),


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  the regional counsel or the private counsel is prohibited from

  2  making any further public records requests under this chapter.

  3  An agency is not required to produce additional public records

  4  except by court order as provided in this subsection.

  5         (b)  In order to obtain additional public records

  6  beyond those provided under subsection (7) (8), the regional

  7  counsel, private counsel, or other counsel who is a member of

  8  The Florida Bar and is authorized by the regional counsel or

  9  private counsel shall file an affidavit in the trial court

10  which attests that he or she has made a timely and diligent

11  search of the records repository and specifically identifies

12  those additional public records that are not at the repository

13  and are relevant to the subject matter of a capital

14  postconviction claim proceeding under Rule 3.850 or Rule 3.851

15  or are reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of

16  admissible evidence in the prosecution of such claim. The

17  affiant shall provide a copy of the affidavit to all affected

18  agencies upon the filing of such affidavit in the trial court.

19         (c)  Within 15 30 days after the filing of an

20  affidavit, the trial court shall order an agency to produce

21  additional public records only if it finds each of the

22  following:

23         1.  The regional counsel or private counsel has made a

24  timely and diligent search as provided in this section.

25         2.  The regional or private counsel's affidavit

26  identifies, with specificity, those additional public records

27  that are not at the repository.

28         3.  The additional public records sought are relevant

29  to the subject matter of a claim for capital postconviction

30  relief proceeding under Rule 3.850 or Rule 3.851 or appear

31


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible

  2  evidence in prosecuting such claim.

  3         4.  The additional public records request is not

  4  overbroad or unduly burdensome.

  5         (9)(10)  The Secretary of State capital collateral

  6  regional counsel or private counsel shall provide the

  7  personnel, supplies, and any necessary equipment used by the

  8  capital collateral regional counsel or private counsel to copy

  9  records held at the records repository.

10         (10)(11)  The trial court shall resolve any dispute

11  that arises under this section, unless the appellate court has

12  exclusive jurisdiction.

13         (11)(12)  The capital collateral regional counsel or

14  private counsel shall not solicit another person to make a

15  request for public records on behalf of the regional counsel

16  or private counsel. The trial court shall impose appropriate

17  sanctions against any regional counsel or private counsel

18  found in violation of this subsection.

19         (12)(13)  Sixty days after a capital sentence is

20  carried out, 60 days after a defendant is released from

21  incarceration following the granting of a pardon or reversal

22  of the sentence, or 60 days after the defendant has been

23  resentenced to a term of years, the Attorney General shall

24  provide written notification to the Secretary of State, who

25  may then destroy the records held by the records repository

26  which pertain to that case.

27         (13)(14)  This section pertains only to the production

28  of records for capital postconviction defendants and does not

29  change or alter any time limitations provided by law governing

30  capital postconviction claims and actions periods specified in

31  Rule 3.850 or Rule 3.851, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure.


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  1  Furthermore, this section does not affect, expand, or limit

  2  the production of public records for any purposes other than

  3  use in a capital postconviction proceeding held pursuant to

  4  Rule 3.850 or Rule 3.851, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure.

  5  Nothing in this section constitutes grounds to expand the time

  6  limitations or allow any pleading in violation of chapter 924

  7  or to stay an execution or death warrant.

  8         Section 4.  Section 922.095, Florida Statutes, is

  9  amended to read:

10         922.095  Grounds for death warrant; limitations of

11  actions.--A person who is convicted and sentenced to death

12  must pursue all possible collateral remedies within the time

13  limits provided by statute in state and federal court in a

14  timely manner. If any court refuses to grant relief in a

15  collateral postconviction proceeding, the convicted person has

16  90 days in which to seek further collateral review. Failure to

17  seek relief within the statutory time limits further

18  collateral review within the 90-day period constitutes grounds

19  for issuance of a death warrant under s. 922.052 or s. 922.14.

20  Any claim not pursued within the statutory time limits is

21  barred. No claim filed after the time required by law shall be

22  grounds for a judicial stay of any warrant.

23         Section 5.  Section 924.055, Florida Statutes, is

24  amended to read:

25         (Substantial rewording of section. See

26         s. 924.055, F.S., for present text.)

27         924.055  Postconviction review in capital cases;

28  legislative findings and intent.--

29         (1)  It is the intent of the Legislature to reduce

30  delays in capital cases and to ensure that all appeals and

31  postconviction actions in capital cases are resolved within 5


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  1  years after the date a sentence of death is imposed in the

  2  circuit court. All capital postconviction actions must be

  3  filed as early as possible after the imposition of a sentence

  4  of death which may be during a direct appeal of the conviction

  5  and sentence. A person sentenced to death or that person's

  6  capital postconviction counsel must file any postconviction

  7  legal action in compliance with all time limitations in this

  8  chapter. Except as expressly allowed by s. 924.056(5), a

  9  person sentenced to death or that person's capital

10  postconviction counsel may not file more than one

11  postconviction action in a sentencing court and one appeal

12  therefrom to the Florida Supreme Court.

13         (2)  It is the further intent of the Legislature that

14  no state resources be expended in violation of this act. In

15  the event that any state employee or party contracting with

16  the state violates the provisions of this act, the Attorney

17  General shall deliver to the Speaker of the House of

18  Representatives and the President of the Senate a copy of any

19  court pleading or order that describes or adjudicates a

20  violation.

21         Section 6.  Section 924.056, Florida Statutes, is

22  created to read:

23         924.056  Commencement of capital postconviction actions

24  for which sentence of death is imposed on or after the

25  effective date of this act; limitations on actions.--

26         (1)  In every capital case in which the trial court

27  imposes a sentence of death on or after the effective date of

28  this act, this section shall govern all postconviction

29  proceedings in state court.

30         (a)  Within 15 days after imposing a sentence of death,

31  the sentencing court shall appoint the appropriate office of


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  1  the capital collateral regional counsel or private

  2  postconviction counsel, unless the defendant declines to

  3  accept postconviction legal representation in which case the

  4  state shall not provide postconviction legal representation.

  5  Within 30 days after the appointment, the capital collateral

  6  regional counsel shall file a notice of appearance in the

  7  trial court or a motion to withdraw based on a conflict of

  8  interest or for good cause. The court shall appoint private

  9  counsel pursuant to part IV of chapter 27 in any case in which

10  the capital collateral regional counsel files a motion to

11  withdraw, or otherwise informs the court that the capital

12  collateral regional counsel cannot comply with the provisions

13  of chapter 924 or in which the court determines that the

14  agency cannot comply with chapter 924 or other applicable

15  laws.

16         (b)  The defendant who accepts the appointment of

17  postconviction counsel must cooperate with and assist

18  postconviction counsel. If the sentencing court finds the

19  defendant is obstructing the postconviction process, the

20  defendant shall not be entitled to any further postconviction

21  legal representation provided by the state. Each attorney

22  participating in a capital case on behalf of a defendant must

23  provide all information pertaining to the capital case which

24  the attorney obtained during the representation of that

25  defendant to that defendant's capital postconviction counsel.

26  Postconviction counsel must maintain the confidentiality of

27  any confidential information received from any attorney for

28  that defendant and is subject to the same penalties as the

29  providing attorney for violating confidentiality. If the

30  defendant requests without good cause that any attorney

31  appointed under this subsection be removed or replaced, the


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  1  court shall notify the defendant that no further state

  2  resources may be expended for postconviction representation

  3  for that defendant, unless the defendant withdraws the request

  4  to remove or replace postconviction counsel. If the defendant

  5  does not immediately withdraw his or her request, then any

  6  appointed attorney must be removed from the case and no

  7  further state resources may be expended for the defendant's

  8  postconviction representation. The prosecuting attorney and

  9  the defendant's trial counsel shall provide the defendant or,

10  if represented, the defendant's capital postconviction counsel

11  with copies of all pretrial and trial discovery and all

12  contents of the prosecuting attorney's file, except for

13  information that the prosecuting attorney has a legal right

14  under state or federal law to withhold from disclosure.

15         (2)  The clerk of the court shall provide a copy of the

16  record on appeal to the capital postconviction attorney and

17  the state attorney and Attorney General within 60 days after

18  the sentencing court appoints postconviction counsel. However,

19  the court may grant an extension of up to 30 days when

20  extraordinary circumstances exist.

21         (3)(a)  With respect to all capital postconviction

22  actions commenced after the effective date of this act, a

23  capital postconviction action is not commenced until the

24  defendant or the defendant's postconviction counsel files a

25  fully pled postconviction action in the sentencing court or,

26  as provided in subsection (4), the Florida Supreme Court. For

27  the purposes of this subsection, a fully pled capital

28  postconviction action is one which complies with s. 924.058(2)

29  or any superseding rule adopted by the Florida Supreme Court.

30  Except as provided by subsection (4), all capital

31  postconviction actions shall be barred unless they are


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  commenced within 180 days after the filing of the appellant's

  2  initial brief in the Florida Supreme Court on direct appeal of

  3  the defendant's capital conviction and sentence. The fully

  4  pled postconviction action must raise all meritorious claims

  5  that the defendant's judgment or sentence was entered in

  6  violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States or

  7  the Constitution or the laws of the state, including any claim

  8  of ineffective assistance of trial counsel, allegations of

  9  innocence, or that the state withheld evidence favorable to

10  the defendant. No claim may be considered in such action which

11  could have or should have been raised before trial, at trial,

12  or if preserved on direct appeal. For the purposes of this

13  subsection, a capital postconviction action is not fully pled

14  unless it satisfies the requirements of s. 924.058(2) or any

15  superseding rule of court.

16         (b)  No claim of ineffective assistance of collateral

17  postconviction counsel may be raised in a state court.

18         (c)  The pendency of public records requests or

19  litigation, or the pendency of other litigation, or the

20  failure of the defendant or the defendant's postconviction

21  counsel to timely prosecute a case shall not constitute cause

22  for the court to grant any request for an extension of time or

23  other delay. No appeal may be taken from a court's ruling

24  denying such a request for an extension of time or other

25  delay.

26         (d)  The time for commencement, of the postconviction

27  action, may not be tolled for any reason or cause. All claims

28  raised by amendment of a defendant's capital postconviction

29  action are barred if the claims are raised outside the time

30  limitations provided by statute for the filing of capital

31  postconviction actions.


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1         (4)  All capital postconviction actions raising any

  2  claim of ineffective assistance of direct appeal counsel are

  3  barred unless they are commenced in conformity with this

  4  subsection. The defendant or the defendant's capital

  5  postconviction counsel shall file an action in the Florida

  6  Supreme Court raising any claim of ineffective assistance of

  7  direct appeal counsel within 45 days after mandate issues

  8  affirming the death sentence in the direct appeal.

  9         (5)  Regardless of when a sentence is imposed, all

10  successive capital postconviction actions are barred unless

11  commenced by filing a fully pled postconviction action within

12  90 days after the facts giving rise to the cause of action

13  were discovered or should have been discovered with the

14  exercise of due diligence. Such claim shall be barred pursuant

15  to subsection (3) or s. 924.057 unless the facts underlying

16  the claim, if proven and viewed in light of the evidence as a

17  whole, would be sufficient to establish by clear and

18  convincing evidence that, but for constitutional error, no

19  reasonable fact finder would have found the defendant guilty

20  of the underlying offense. Additionally, the facts underlying

21  this claim must have been unknown to the defendant or his or

22  her attorney and must be such that they could not have been

23  ascertained by the exercise of due diligence prior to filing

24  the earlier postconviction motion. The time period allowed for

25  filing a successive collateral postconviction action shall not

26  be grounds for a stay.

27         Section 7.  Section 924.057, Florida Statutes, is

28  created to read:

29         924.057  Limitation on postconviction cases in which

30  the death sentence was imposed before the effective date of

31  this act.--


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1         (1)  Nothing in this act shall expand any right or time

  2  period allowed for the prosecution of capital postconviction

  3  claims in any case in which a postconviction action was

  4  commenced or should have been commenced prior to the effective

  5  date of this act.

  6         (2)  Except as provided in s. 924.056(5), in every case

  7  in which mandate has issued in the Florida Supreme Court

  8  concluding at least one capital postconviction action in the

  9  state court system, a successive capital postconviction action

10  shall be barred on the effective date of this act, unless the

11  law in effect immediately prior to the effective date of this

12  act permitted the successive postconviction action, in which

13  case the action shall be barred on the date provided in

14  subsection (4).

15         (3)  All capital postconviction actions pending on the

16  effective date of this act shall be barred, and shall be

17  dismissed with prejudice, unless fully pled in substantial

18  compliance with s. 924.058, or with any superseding order or

19  rule, on or before:

20         (a)  The time in which the action would be barred by

21  this section if the action had not begun prior to the

22  effective date of this act, or

23         (b)  Any earlier date provided by the law, or court

24  order, in effect immediately prior to the effective date of

25  this act.

26         (4)  In every capital case in which the trial court

27  imposed the sentence of death before the effective date of

28  this act, a capital postconviction action shall be barred

29  unless it is commenced on or before January 8, 2001, or any

30  earlier date provided by the law in effect immediately prior

31  to the effective date of this act.


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1         Section 8.  Section 924.058, Florida Statutes, is

  2  created to read:

  3         924.058  Capital postconviction claims.--This section

  4  shall regulate the procedures in actions for capital

  5  postconviction relief commencing after the effective date of

  6  this act unless and until such procedures are revised by rule

  7  or rules adopted by the Florida Supreme Court, which

  8  specifically reference this section.

  9         (1)  The defendant or the defendant's capital

10  postconviction counsel shall not file more than one capital

11  postconviction action in the sentencing court, one appeal

12  therefrom in the Florida Supreme Court, and one original

13  capital postconviction action alleging the ineffectiveness of

14  direct appeal counsel in the Florida Supreme Court, except as

15  expressly allowed by s. 924.056(5).

16         (2)  The defendant's postconviction action shall be

17  filed under oath and shall be fully pled to include:

18         (a)  The judgment or sentence under attack and the

19  court which rendered the same;

20         (b)  A statement of each issue raised on appeal and the

21  disposition thereof;

22         (c)  Whether a previous postconviction action has been

23  filed and, if so, the dispostion of all previous claims raised

24  in postconviction litigation; if a previous action or actions

25  have been filed, the reason or reasons the claim or claims in

26  the present motion were not raised in the former action or

27  actions;

28         (d)  The nature of the relief sought;

29         (e)  A fully detailed allegation of the factual basis

30  for any claim of legal or constitutional error asserted,

31  including the attachment of any document supporting the claim,


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  the name and address of any witness, the attachment of

  2  affidavits of the witnesses or a proffer of the testimony; and

  3         (f)  A concise memorandum of applicable case law as to

  4  each claim asserted.

  5         (3)  Any capital postconviction action that does not

  6  comply with any requirement in this section or other

  7  applicable provision in law shall not be considered in any

  8  state court. No amendment of a defendant's capital

  9  postconviction action shall be allowed by the court after the

10  expiration of the time limitation provided by statute for the

11  commencement of capital postconviction actions.

12         (4)  The prosecuting attorney or Attorney General shall

13  be allowed to file one response to any capital postconviction

14  action within 60 days after receipt of the defendant's fully

15  pled capital postconviction action.

16         Section 9.  Section 924.059, Florida Statutes, is

17  created to read:

18         924.059  Time limitations and judicial review in

19  capital postconviction actions.--This section shall regulate

20  the procedures in actions for capital postconviction relief

21  commencing after the effective date of this act unless and

22  until such procedures are revised by rule or rules adopted by

23  the Florida Supreme Court, which specifically reference this

24  section.

25         (1)  No amendment of a defendant's capital

26  postconviction action shall be allowed by the court after the

27  expiration of the time periods provided by statute for the

28  filing of capital postconviction claims.

29         (2)  Within 30 days after the state files its answer,

30  the sentencing court shall conduct a hearing to determine if

31  an evidentiary hearing is required, if a hearing has been


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  requested by the defendant or the defendant's capital

  2  postconviction counsel. Within 30 days thereafter, the court

  3  shall rule whether an evidentiary hearing is required and, if

  4  so, shall schedule an evidentiary hearing to be held within 90

  5  days. If the court determines that the defendant's capital

  6  postconviction action is legally insufficient or the action,

  7  files, and records in the case show that the defendant is not

  8  entitled to relief, the court shall, within 45 days

  9  thereafter, deny the action, setting forth a detailed

10  rationale therefore, and attaching or referencing such

11  portions of the record as are necessary to allow for

12  meaningful appellate review.

13         (3)  Within 10 days after the order scheduling an

14  evidentiary hearing, the defendant or the defendant's capital

15  postconviction counsel shall disclose the names and addresses

16  of any potential witnesses not previously disclosed, with

17  their affidavits or a proffer of their testimony. Upon receipt

18  of the defendant's disclosure, the state shall have 10 days

19  within which to provide reciprocal disclosure. If the

20  defendant intends to offer expert testimony of his or her

21  mental status, the state shall be entitled to have the

22  defendant examined by an expert of its choosing. All of the

23  defendant's mental status claims shall be deemed denied as a

24  matter of law if the defendant fails to cooperate with the

25  state's expert. Reports provided by expert witnesses shall be

26  disclosed by opposing counsel upon receipt.

27         (4)  Following the evidentiary hearing, the court shall

28  order the transcription of the proceeding which shall be filed

29  within 30 days. Within 30 days after receipt of the

30  transcript, the sentencing court shall issue a final order

31  granting or denying postconviction relief, making detailed


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect to any

  2  allegation asserted.

  3         (5)  An appeal may be taken to the Supreme Court of

  4  Florida within 15 days from the entry of a final order on a

  5  capital postconviction action. No interlocutory appeal shall

  6  be permitted. No motion for rehearing shall be permitted. The

  7  clerk of the court shall promptly serve upon all parties a

  8  copy of the final order.

  9         (6)  If the sentencing court has denied the capital

10  postconviction action without an evidentiary hearing, the

11  appeal to the Florida Supreme Court will be expeditiously

12  resolved in a summary fashion. On appeal the case shall be

13  initially reviewed for a determination whether the sentencing

14  court correctly resolved the defendant's claims without an

15  evidentiary hearing. If the Florida Supreme Court determines

16  an evidentiary hearing should have been held, the decision to

17  remand for an evidentiary hearing may be made by an order

18  without an opinion. Jurisdiction shall be relinquished to the

19  trial court for a specified period, which must be scheduled

20  within 30 days and must be concluded within 90 days, for the

21  purpose of conducting an evidentiary hearing on any issue

22  identified by the Florida Supreme Court's order. Thereafter,

23  the record shall be supplemented with the hearing transcript.

24         (7)  The Florida Supreme Court shall render its

25  decision within 180 days after receipt of the record on

26  appeal. If an appeal from a denial of an action for

27  postconviction relief is denied, the Governor may proceed to

28  issue a warrant for execution.

29         (8)  A capital postconviction action filed in violation

30  of the time limitations provided by statute is barred, and all

31  claims raised therein are waived. A state court shall not


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  consider any capital postconviction action filed in violation

  2  of s. 924.056 or s. 924.057. The Attorney General shall

  3  deliver to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the

  4  Speaker of the House of Representatives a copy of any pleading

  5  or order that alleges or adjudicates any violation of this

  6  provision.

  7         Section 10.  Rule 3.850, Florida Rules of Criminal

  8  Procedure, relating to the grant of a new trial, is repealed

  9  to the extent that it is inconsistent with this act. Rule

10  3.851, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure as amended January

11  15, 1998, relating to collateral relief after death sentence

12  has been imposed, is repealed. Rule 3.852, Florida Rules of

13  Criminal Procedure, relating to capital postconviction public

14  records production, is repealed.

15         Section 11.  Subsections (4) and (5) of section 27.710,

16  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

17         27.710  Registry of attorneys applying to represent

18  persons in postconviction capital collateral proceedings;

19  certification of minimum requirements; appointment by trial

20  court.--

21         (4)  Each private attorney who is appointed by the

22  court to represent a capital defendant must enter into a

23  contract with the Comptroller. If the appointed attorney fails

24  to execute the contract within 30 days after the date the

25  contract is mailed to the attorney, the executive director of

26  the Commission on Capital Cases shall notify the trial court.

27  The Comptroller executive director of the Commission on

28  Capital Cases shall develop the form of the contract, and the

29  Comptroller shall function as contract manager, and shall

30  enforce performance of the terms and conditions of the

31  contract. By signing such contract, the attorney certifies


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  that he or she intends to continue the representation under

  2  the terms and conditions set forth in the contract until the

  3  sentence is reversed, reduced, or carried out or until

  4  released by order of the trial court.

  5         (5)(a)  Upon the motion of the capital collateral

  6  regional counsel to withdraw pursuant to s. 924.056(1)(a); or

  7         (b)  Upon notification by the state attorney or the

  8  Attorney General that:

  9         1.  Thirty days have elapsed since appointment of the

10  capital collateral regional counsel and no entry of appearance

11  has been filed pursuant to s. 924.056; or

12         (a)  Ninety-one days have elapsed since the Supreme

13  Court issued a mandate on a direct appeal, or the Supreme

14  Court of the United States has denied a petition for

15  certiorari, whichever is later;

16         2.(b)  A person under sentence of death who was

17  previously represented by private counsel is currently

18  unrepresented in a postconviction capital collateral

19  proceeding,; or

20         (c)  The trial court has issued an order finding that a

21  year and a day have elapsed since the commencement of the

22  period for filing a motion for postconviction relief under s.

23  924.055(2), and the defendant's complete original motion for

24  postconviction relief has not been filed in the trial court,

25

26  the executive director shall immediately notify the trial

27  court that imposed the sentence of death that the court must

28  immediately appoint an attorney, selected from the current

29  registry, to represent such person in collateral actions

30  challenging the legality of the judgment and sentence in the

31  appropriate state and federal courts. The court shall have the


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  authority to strike a notice of appearance filed by a Capital

  2  Collateral Regional Counsel, if the court finds the notice was

  3  not filed in good faith and may so notify the executive

  4  director that the client is no longer represented by the

  5  Office of Capital Collateral Regional Counsel.  In making an

  6  assignment, the court shall give priority to attorneys whose

  7  experience and abilities in criminal law, especially in

  8  capital proceedings, are known by the court to be commensurate

  9  with the responsibility of representing a person sentenced to

10  death. The trial court must issue an order of appointment

11  which contains specific findings that the appointed counsel

12  meets the statutory requirements and has the high ethical

13  standards necessary to represent a person sentenced to death.

14         Section 12.  Section 27.51, Florida Statutes, is

15  amended to read:

16         27.51  Duties of public defender.--

17         (1)  The public defender shall represent, without

18  additional compensation, any person who is determined by the

19  court to be indigent as provided in s. 27.52 and who is:

20         (a)  Under arrest for, or is charged with, a felony;

21         (b)  Under arrest for, or is charged with, a

22  misdemeanor, a violation of chapter 316 which is punishable by

23  imprisonment, criminal contempt, or a violation of a municipal

24  or county ordinance in the county court, unless the court,

25  prior to trial, files in the cause an order of no imprisonment

26  which states that the defendant will not be imprisoned if he

27  or she is convicted;

28         (c)  Alleged to be a delinquent child pursuant to a

29  petition filed before a circuit court; or

30         (d)  Sought by petition filed in such court to be

31  involuntarily placed as a mentally ill person or sexually


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  violent predator or involuntarily admitted to residential

  2  services as a person with developmental disabilities. However,

  3  a public defender does not have the authority to represent any

  4  person who is a plaintiff in a civil action brought under the

  5  Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Civil

  6  Procedure, or the federal statutes, or who is a petitioner in

  7  an administrative proceeding challenging a rule under chapter

  8  120, unless specifically authorized by statute.

  9         (2)  The court may not appoint the public defender to

10  represent, even on a temporary basis, any person who is not

11  indigent.  The court, however, may appoint private counsel in

12  capital cases as provided in s. 925.035.

13         (3)  Each public defender shall serve on a full-time

14  basis and is prohibited from engaging in the private practice

15  of law while holding office. Assistant public defenders shall

16  give priority and preference to their duties as assistant

17  public defenders and shall not otherwise engage in the

18  practice of criminal law.

19         (4)  The public defender for a judicial circuit

20  enumerated in this subsection shall, after the record on

21  appeal is transmitted to the appellate court by the office of

22  the public defender which handled the trial and if requested

23  by any public defender within the indicated appellate

24  district, handle all felony appeals to the state and federal

25  courts required of the official making such request:

26         (a)  Public defender of the second judicial circuit, on

27  behalf of any public defender within the district comprising

28  the First District Court of Appeal.

29         (b)  Public defender of the tenth judicial circuit, on

30  behalf of any public defender within the district comprising

31  the Second District Court of Appeal.


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1         (c)  Public defender of the eleventh judicial circuit,

  2  on behalf of any public defender within the district

  3  comprising the Third District Court of Appeal.

  4         (d)  Public defender of the fifteenth judicial circuit,

  5  on behalf of any public defender within the district

  6  comprising the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

  7         (e)  Public defender of the seventh judicial circuit,

  8  on behalf of any public defender within the district

  9  comprising the Fifth District Court of Appeal.

10         (5)  When the public defender for a judicial circuit

11  enumerated in subsection (4) has represented at trial a person

12  sentenced to death, the public defender shall not represent

13  that person in any direct appellate proceedings. That public

14  defender shall notify the Florida Supreme Court within 10 days

15  after filing a notice of appeal, and the Court shall appoint

16  another public defender enumerated in subsection (4) to

17  represent the person in any direct appellate proceedings.

18         (6)(5)(a)  When direct appellate proceedings prosecuted

19  by a public defender on behalf of an accused and challenging a

20  judgment of conviction and sentence of death terminate in an

21  affirmance of such conviction and sentence, whether by the

22  Florida Supreme Court or by the United States Supreme Court or

23  by expiration of any deadline for filing such appeal in a

24  state or federal court, the public defender shall notify the

25  accused of his or her rights pursuant to Rule 3.850, Florida

26  Rules of Criminal Procedure, including any time limits

27  pertinent thereto, and shall advise such person that

28  representation in any collateral proceedings is the

29  responsibility of the capital collateral representative.  The

30  public defender shall then forward all original files on the

31  matter to the capital collateral representative, retaining


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  such copies for his or her files as may be desired. However,

  2  the trial court shall retain the power to appoint the public

  3  defender or other attorney not employed by the capital

  4  collateral representative to represent such person in

  5  proceedings for relief by executive clemency pursuant to s.

  6  925.035.

  7         (b)  It is the intent of the Legislature that any

  8  public defender representing an inmate in any collateral

  9  proceedings in any court on June 24, 1985, shall continue

10  representation of that inmate in all postconviction

11  proceedings unless relieved of responsibility from further

12  representation by the court.

13         (7)(6)  A sum shall be appropriated to the public

14  defender of each judicial circuit enumerated in subsection (4)

15  for the employment of assistant public defenders and clerical

16  employees and the payment of expenses incurred in cases on

17  appeal.

18         Section 13.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 27.703,

19  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

20         27.703  Conflict of interest and substitute counsel.--

21         (1)  The capital collateral regional counsel shall not

22  accept an appointment or take any other action that will

23  create a conflict of interest. If, at any time during the

24  representation of a person two or more persons, the capital

25  collateral regional counsel determines that the continued

26  representation of that person creates a interests of those

27  persons are so adverse or hostile that they cannot all be

28  counseled by the regional counsel or his or her staff without

29  conflict of interest, the sentencing court shall, upon

30  application by the regional counsel, designate another

31  regional counsel and, only if a conflict exists with the other


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  two counsels, appoint one or more members of The Florida Bar

  2  to represent one or more of such persons.

  3         (2)  Appointed counsel shall be paid from funds

  4  appropriated to the Comptroller Justice Administrative

  5  Commission. The hourly rate may not exceed $100. However,

  6  effective July 1, 1999, all appointments of private counsel

  7  under this section shall be in accordance with ss. 27.710 and

  8  27.711.

  9         Section 14.  In order to implement the provisions of

10  section 27.703, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act, the

11  Justice Administrative Commission shall transfer all

12  unexpended funds from Specific Appropriation 615 of the

13  1999-2000 General Appropriations Act to the Administrative

14  Trust Fund within the Department of Banking and Finance for

15  disbursement purposes. The Department of Banking and Finance

16  is authorized to expend such funds transferred by the Justice

17  Administrative Commission for contracts with private

18  attorneys. In addition, the Department of Banking and Finance

19  is authorized to expend up to $60,000 of such funds for

20  associated administrative support and two additional positions

21  are authorized for fiscal year 1999-2000.

22         Section 15.  Subsection (2) of section 27.709, Florida

23  Statutes, is amended to read:

24         27.709  Commission on Capital Cases.--

25         (2)(a)  The commission shall review the administration

26  of justice in capital collateral cases, receive relevant

27  public input, review the operation of the capital collateral

28  regional counsel, and advise and make recommendations to the

29  Governor, Legislature, and Supreme Court.

30         (b)  As part of its duties, the commission shall

31  compile and analyze case-tracking reports produced by the


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  Supreme Court. In analyzing these reports, the commission

  2  shall develop statistics to identify trends and changes in

  3  case management and case processing, identify and evaluate

  4  unproductive points of delay, and generally evaluate the way

  5  cases are progressing. The commission shall report these

  6  findings to the Legislature by January 1 of each year.

  7         (c)  In addition, the commission shall receive

  8  complaints regarding the practice of any office of regional

  9  counsel and shall refer any complaint to The Florida Bar, the

10  State Supreme Court, or the Commission on Ethics, as

11  appropriate.

12         Section 16.  Subsection (3) of section 27.711, Florida

13  Statutes, is amended, and subsection (13) is added to that

14  section, to read:

15         27.711  Terms and conditions of appointment of

16  attorneys as counsel in postconviction capital collateral

17  proceedings.--

18         (3)  An attorney appointed to represent a capital

19  defendant is entitled to payment of the fees set forth in this

20  section only upon full performance by the attorney of the

21  duties specified in this section and approval of payment by

22  the trial court, and the submission of a payment request by

23  the attorney, subject to the availability of sufficient

24  funding specifically appropriated for this purpose.  The

25  Comptroller Justice Administrative Commission shall notify the

26  executive director and the court if it appears that sufficient

27  funding has not been specifically appropriated for this

28  purpose to pay any fees which may be incurred. The attorney

29  shall maintain appropriate documentation, including a current

30  and detailed hourly accounting of time spent representing the

31  capital defendant. The fee and payment schedule in this


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  section is the exclusive means of compensating a

  2  court-appointed attorney who represents a capital defendant.

  3  When appropriate, a court-appointed attorney must seek further

  4  compensation from the Federal Government, as provided in 18

  5  U.S.C. s. 3006A or other federal law, in habeas corpus

  6  litigation in the federal courts.

  7         (13)  Prior to the filing of a motion for order

  8  approving payment of attorney's fees, costs, or related

  9  expenses, the assigned counsel shall deliver a copy of his

10  intended billing, together with supporting affidavits and all

11  other necessary documentation, to the Comptroller's named

12  contract manager. The contract manager shall have 10 business

13  days from receipt to review the billings, affidavit, and

14  documentation for completeness and compliance with contractual

15  and statutory requirements. If the contract manager objects to

16  any portion of the proposed billing, the objection and reasons

17  therefor shall be communicated to the assigned counsel. The

18  assigned counsel may thereafter file his or her motion for

19  order approving payment of attorney's fees, costs, or related

20  expenses together with supporting affidavits and all other

21  necessary documentation. The motion must specify whether the

22  Comptroller's contract manager objects to any portion of the

23  billing or the sufficiency of documentation and, if so, the

24  reason therefor. A copy of the motion and attachments shall be

25  served on the Comptroller's contract manager, who shall have

26  standing to file pleadings and appear before the court to

27  contest any motion for order approving payment. The fact that

28  the Comptroller's contract manager has not objected to any

29  portion of the billing or to the sufficiency of the

30  documentation is not binding on the court, which retains

31  primary authority and responsibility for determining the


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  reasonableness of all billings for fees, costs, and related

  2  expenses, subject to statutory limitations.

  3         Section 17.  Section 924.395, Florida Statutes, is

  4  created to read:

  5         924.395  Sanctions.--

  6         (1)  The Legislature strongly encourages the courts,

  7  through their inherent powers and pursuant to this section, to

  8  impose sanctions against any person within the court's

  9  jurisdiction who is found by a court, in a capital

10  postconviction proceeding or appeal therefrom, to have:

11         (a)  Abused a petition for extraordinary relief,

12  postconviction motion, or appeal therefrom;

13         (b)  Raised a claim that a court has found to be

14  frivolous or procedurally barred or that should have been

15  raised on the direct appeal;

16         (c)  Improperly withheld evidence or testimony; or

17         (d)  Adversely affected the orderly administration of

18  justice.

19         (2)  Sanctions the court may and should consider, when

20  applicable and appropriate in a case, include, but are not

21  limited to:

22         (a)  Dismissal of a pleading;

23         (b)  Disciplinary sanctions;

24         (c)  A fine; and

25         (d)  Any other sanction that is available to the court

26  under its inherent powers.

27         Section 18.  Section 922.108, Florida Statutes, is

28  created to read:

29         922.108  Sentencing orders in capital cases.--The

30  sentence of death must not specify any particular method of

31


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    SB 12-A                                  First Engrossed (ntc)



  1  execution. The wording or form of the sentencing order shall

  2  not be grounds for reversal of any sentence.

  3         Section 19.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (6) of section

  4  924.051, Florida Statutes, is repealed.

  5         Section 20.  The Legislature finds that centralized

  6  case management of capital postconviction actions has the

  7  potential to reduce delays and should be considered. The

  8  Legislature requests that the Florida Supreme Court study the

  9  feasibility of a requirement that all capital postconviction

10  actions be filed in the Florida Supreme Court as proposed by a

11  member of the Supreme Court Committee on Postconviction Relief

12  in Capital Cases (Morris Committee). The Legislature

13  recognizes that such a reform may substantially enhance

14  judicial efficiency and may initially necessitate additional

15  workload funding. If the Supreme Court finds that centralized

16  case management is a more efficient model, the Court shall

17  estimate the implementation costs. The Legislature requests

18  that the Court submit any recommendation to the Governor, the

19  Senate, and the House of Representatives before January 1,

20  2001.

21         Section 21.  If any provision of this act or the

22  application thereof to any person or circumstance is held

23  invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or

24  applications of the act which can be given effect without the

25  invalid provision or application, and to this end the

26  provisions of this act are declared severable.

27         Section 22.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a

28  law, but section 10 shall take effect only if this act is

29  passed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the membership

30  of each house of the Legislature.

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