The Florida Senate

¹29.006  Public defenders and indigent defense costs.--For purposes of implementing s. 14, Art. V of the State Constitution, the essential elements of the public defenders' offices are as follows:

(1)  The public defender of each judicial circuit and assistant public defenders and essential staff as determined by general law.

(2)  Reasonable court reporting services necessary to meet constitutional requirements.

(3)  Witnesses summoned to appear for an investigation, preliminary hearing, or trial in a criminal case when the witnesses are summoned on behalf of an indigent defendant; mental health professionals who are appointed pursuant to s. 394.473 and required in a court hearing involving an indigent; and expert witnesses who are appointed pursuant to s. 916.115(2) and required in a court hearing involving an indigent.

History.--s. 6, ch. 2000-237; s. 42, ch. 2003-402.

¹Note.--Section 42, ch. 2003-402, amended s. 29.006, effective July 1, 2004, to read:

29.006  Public defenders and indigent defense costs.--For purposes of implementing s. 14, Art. V of the State Constitution, the elements of the public defenders' offices to be provided from state revenues appropriated by general law are as follows:

(1)  The public defender of each judicial circuit and assistant public defenders and other staff as determined by general law.

(2)  Reasonable court reporting and transcription services necessary to meet constitutional or statutory requirements, including the cost of transcribing and copying depositions of witnesses and the cost of foreign language and sign-language interpreters and translators.

(3)  Witnesses, including expert witnesses, summoned to appear for an investigation, preliminary hearing, or trial in a criminal case when the witnesses are summoned on behalf of an indigent defendant, and any other expert witnesses approved by the court.

(4)  Mental health professionals appointed pursuant to s. 394.473 and required in a court hearing involving an indigent, and mental health professionals appointed pursuant to s. 916.115(2) and required in a court hearing involving an indigent.

(5)  Reasonable transportation services in the performance of constitutional and statutory responsibilities.

(6)  Travel expenses reimbursable under s. 112.061 reasonably necessary in the performance of constitutional and statutory responsibilities.

(7)  Reasonable library and electronic legal research services, other than a public law library.

(8)  Reasonable pretrial consultation fees and costs.