(1) The Cross-Circuit Conflict Representation Pilot Program is established in the offices of the public defender in the Tenth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits and the office of the criminal conflict and civil regional counsel in the Fifth Region.
(2) Notwithstanding ss. 27.40 and 27.5305:
(a) If the public defender in the Tenth Judicial Circuit is unable to provide representation to an indigent defendant charged with a crime under s. 782.04(2), (3), or (4) due to a conflict of interest and the criminal conflict and civil regional counsel of the Second Region is also unable to provide representation for the case due to a conflict of interest, the public defender in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit shall be appointed. If the public defender in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit is unable to provide representation for the case due to a conflict of interest, the criminal conflict and civil regional counsel in the Fifth Region shall be appointed. If the criminal conflict and civil regional counsel in the Fifth Region is unable to provide representation due to a conflict of interest, private counsel shall be appointed.
(b) If the public defender in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit is unable to provide representation to an indigent defendant charged with a crime under s. 782.04(2), (3), or (4) due to a conflict of interest and the criminal conflict and civil regional counsel of the Second Region is also unable to provide representation for the case due to a conflict of interest, the public defender in the Tenth Judicial Circuit shall be appointed. If the public defender in the Tenth Judicial Circuit is unable to provide representation for the case due to a conflict of interest, the criminal conflict and civil regional counsel in the Fifth Region shall be appointed. If the criminal conflict and civil regional counsel in the Fifth Region is unable to provide representation due to a conflict of interest, private counsel shall be appointed.
(3) The offices of the public defender in the Tenth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits and the office of the criminal conflict and civil regional counsel in the Fifth Region shall each provide a report on the implementation of the pilot program to the chairs of the legislative appropriations committees by March 1, 2015, and by March 1, 2016. At a minimum, the reports must include the number of cases transferred across circuits, the advantages and disadvantages of cross-circuit representation, the estimated cost savings of the pilot program, and recommendations to improve the pilot program. The Justice Administrative Commission shall provide data to assist with the estimated cost savings of the pilot program.
(4) The Cross-Circuit Conflict Representation Pilot Program shall expire on June 30, 2016, unless otherwise provided by law. However, appointments made pursuant to this section before June 30, 2016, shall continue until completion of the case.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2014-49; s. 15, ch. 2017-37.