| 1 | A bill to be entitled |
| 2 | An act relating to the practice of law; amending s. |
| 3 | 454.18, F.S.; permitting deputy clerks of court and deputy |
| 4 | sheriffs who are employed less than full time to practice |
| 5 | law; making editorial changes; conforming an exception; |
| 6 | providing an effective date. |
| 7 |
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| 8 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 9 |
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| 10 | Section 1. Section 454.18, Florida Statutes, is amended to |
| 11 | read: |
| 12 | 454.18 Officers not allowed to practice.--No sheriff or |
| 13 | clerk of any court, or full-time deputy thereof, shall practice |
| 14 | in this state, nor shall any person not of good moral character, |
| 15 | or who has been convicted of an infamous crime be entitled to |
| 16 | practice. But No person shall be denied the right to practice on |
| 17 | account of sex, race, or color. And Any person, whether an |
| 18 | attorney or not, or whether within the exceptions mentioned |
| 19 | above or not, may conduct his or her own cause in any court of |
| 20 | this state, or before any public board, committee, or officer, |
| 21 | subject to the lawful rules and discipline of such court, board, |
| 22 | committee, or officer. The provisions of this section |
| 23 | restricting the practice of law by a sheriff or clerk, or full- |
| 24 | time deputy thereof, shall not apply in a case where such person |
| 25 | is representing the office or agency in the course of his or her |
| 26 | duties as an attorney. |
| 27 | Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2007. |