Case Title: In Re: Amendments To The Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure

Citation: 

Docket Number: 

State: florida

Court: Florida Supreme Court

Date: 2008-11-13T00:00:00Z

Document:
Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC08-147 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES 
OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE. 
 
[November 13, 2008] 
CORRECTED OPINION 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
The Florida Appellate Court Rules Committee (Committee) has filed in this 
Court its triennial report of regular-cycle proposed rule amendments in accordance 
with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.140(b)(4).  We have jurisdiction.  
See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. 
BACKGROUND 
 
The Committee’s regular cycle report proposes amendments to rules 9.010 
(Effective Date and Scope); 9.130(a)(3)(C)(ii) (Proceedings to Review Non-Final 
Orders and Specified Final Orders; Applicability); 9.130(a)(3)(C)(iv); 9.130(a)(5); 
9.140(c)(3) (Appeal Proceedings in Criminal Cases; Appeals by the State; 
Commencement); 9.200(a)(3) (The Record; Contents); 9.210(a)(5) (Briefs; 
Generally); 9.310(b)(2) (Stay Pending Review; Exceptions; Public Bodies; Public 
Officers); 9.330(d) (Rehearing; Clarification; Certification; Exception; Review of 
District Court Decisions); 9.370 (Amicus Curiae); 9.430 (Proceedings by 
Indigents); 9.600(d) (Jurisdiction of Lower Tribunal Pending Review; Criminal 
Cases); 9.800 (Uniform Citation System); and form 9.900(j) (Prisoner’s Motion 
and Affidavit to Proceed Without Prepayment of Court Costs and Fees).1  As 
required by Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.140(b)(2), the proposed rule 
amendments were published in The Florida Bar News and on the internet website 
of The Florida Bar.  Four comments were received by the Committee.  The 
Executive Committee of the Florida Bar Board of Governors unanimously 
approved the proposed amendments.  After submission, the proposed amendments 
were again published for comment.  Several comments were filed with the Court, 
and a response to the comments was filed by the Committee.  Having fully 
considered the Committee’s report, the comments, and the Committee’s response 
to the comments, we adopt the amendments proposed by the Committee with 
modifications as more fully discussed below.  We also adopt sua sponte an 
amendment to rule 9.190(e)(1) (Judicial Review of Administrative Action; Stays 
Pending Review; Effect of Initiating Review) to provide consistency with the 
amendments proposed by the Committee. 
                                          
 
 
1.  The Committee’s report also includes new rule 9.050 (Maintaining 
Privacy of Personal Data).  This proposal was referred to the Committee on Access 
to Court Records. 
 
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AMENDMENTS 
 
Rule 9.130(a)(3)(C)(ii) (Proceedings to Review Non-Final Orders and 
Specified Final Orders; Applicability) is amended to allow appeals from nonfinal 
orders granting, modifying, dissolving, or refusing to grant, modify, or dissolve 
writs of replevin, garnishment, or attachment.  The amendment comports with the 
practice of a majority of the district courts of appeal and clarifies that such orders 
are directly appealable. 
 
Rule 9.130(a)(3)(C)(iv) is amended to clarify that a nonfinal order 
determining a party’s entitlement to an appraisal pursuant to an insurance policy is 
an immediately appealable nonfinal order. 
 
Rule 9.130(a)(5) is amended to remove specific cross-references to other 
rules authorizing motions for relief from judgment.  Instead, the cross-references 
will be replaced by the phrase “an authorized and timely motion for relief from 
judgment.”  The subdivision is also amended to clarify that motions for rehearing 
of orders granting or denying motions seeking relief from judgment do not toll the 
time for filing a notice of appeal. 
 
Rule 9.210(a)(5) (Briefs; Generally) is amended to clarify that certificates of 
service and compliance are excluded from the computation of page limitations for 
briefs. 
 
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Rule 9.310(b)(2) (Stay Pending Review; Exceptions; Public Bodies; Public 
Officers) is amended to exclude proceedings to review administrative actions 
under the Administrative Procedure Act in which public bodies and public officers 
are party litigants from the automatic stay provisions of the rule.  However, to give 
the rule flexibility in case the Legislature amends the Act, we modify the proposal 
by adding the phrase “or as otherwise provided by chapter 120, Florida Statutes.”  
As modified the amendment adds the underlined language to the subdivision as 
follows:  
(2)  Public Bodies; Public Officers.  The timely filing of a 
notice shall automatically operate as a stay pending review, except in 
criminal cases, in administrative actions under the Administrative 
Procedure Act, or as otherwise provided by chapter 120, Florida 
Statutes, when the state, any public officer in an official capacity, 
board, commission, or other public body seeks review; provided that 
an automatic stay shall exist for 48 hours after the filing of the notice 
of appeal for public records and public meeting cases.  On motion, the 
lower tribunal or the court may extend a stay, impose any lawful 
conditions, or vacate the stay. 
We also sua sponte amend rule 9.190(e)(1) (Judicial Review of Administrative 
Action; Stays Pending Review; Effect of Initiating Review) to be consistent with 
these changes. 
 
Rule 9.330(d) (Rehearing; Clarification; Certification; Exception; Review of 
District Court Decisions) is amended to make clear that no motions for rehearing 
or clarification may be filed from the dismissal of an appeal seeking to invoke the 
Court’s mandatory jurisdiction when the appeal seeks to review a per curiam 
 
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affirmance without opinion.  This is done to reflect our holding in Jackson v. State, 
926 So. 2d 1262 (Fla. 2006). 
 
Rule 9.370 (Amicus Curiae) is amended to allow a potential amicus curiae, 
upon a party’s attempt to invoke the Court’s discretionary jurisdiction, to file a 
one-page notice with the Court indicating an intent to seek leave to file an amicus 
brief on the merits if the Court accepts jurisdiction.  The notice will briefly explain 
why the case is of interest to the potential amicus and will assist the Court in 
ascertaining the relative importance of a case. 
 
Rule 9.430 (Proceedings by Indigents) is amended to conform the rule to this 
Court’s decision in In re Approval of Application for Determination of Indigent 
Status Forms for Use by Clerks, 910 So. 2d 194 (Fla. 2005), where we approved 
two applications for determination of indigent status forms for use by clerks of 
court.  Specifically, the motion and affidavit of indigency procedure previously 
utilized is replaced by this new application procedure.  However, to conserve 
judicial resources, we modify the Committee’s proposal to only refer to the 
applications already adopted for use by circuit court clerks rather than adopting 
them as part of the appellate rules.  Form 9.900(j), which previously contained the 
form of the motion and affidavit, is deleted.  We also modify the Committee’s 
proposal to amend rule 9.430 to include new subdivision (b), Original Proceedings.  
The rule is amended to include the new subdivision but requires parties initiating 
 
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original proceedings, unless otherwise directed by the court, to file directly with 
the court a motion to proceed in forma pauperis rather than an application for 
determination of indigent status as proposed by the Committee.  Motions to 
proceed in forma pauperis are currently used by our appellate court clerks to 
determine indigency in original proceedings and the new subdivision simply 
clarifies the procedure. 
 
We hereby adopt the amendments to the Florida Rules of Appellate 
Procedure as set forth in the appendix to this opinion.2  New language is indicated 
by underscoring; deletions are indicated by struck-through type.  The committee 
notes are offered for explanation only and are not adopted as an official part of the 
rules.  The amendments shall become effective on January 1, 2009, at 12:01 a.m. 
 
It is so ordered. 
WELLS, ANSTEAD, PARIENTE, and LEWIS, JJ., concur. 
QUINCE, C.J., concurs in part and dissents in part with an opinion. 
CANADY and POLSTON, JJ., did not participate.  
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                          
 
 
2.  In addition to the amendments discussed above, there are also several 
editorial and housekeeping amendments as reflected in the appendix. 
 
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QUINCE, C J., concurring in part and dissenting in part. 
 
 
I agree with the majority’s adoption of changes to all of the rules discussed 
with the exception of the changes to rule 9.310(b)(2)  and rule 9.190(e)(1),3 Florida 
Rules of Appellate Procedure.   Rule 9.310(b)(2) presently provides for an 
automatic stay when the state, any public officer, board, commission, or other 
public body timely seeks appellate review.4  The change espoused by the majority 
will eliminate the automatic stay in cases involving the Administrative Procedure 
Act.  I do not believe that the committee has advanced a good reason for treating 
public entities involved in administrative cases differently from other public 
entities.  Therefore, I would leave the rule as it presently stands.  
 
 
 
Original Proceeding – Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 
 
John S. Mills, Chair, Appellate Court Rules Committee, Jacksonville, Florida; 
Steven L. Brannock, Past Chair, Appellate Court Rules Committee, Holland and 
Knight, Tampa, Florida; John F. Harkness, Jr., Executive Director, and Krys 
Godwin, Bar Staff Liaison, The Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida; and David 
Miller of Broad and Cassel, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
for Petitioner 
 
                                          
 
 
3.  This rule is being amended to conform to the change made to rule 
9.310(b)(2). 
 
4.  The exception to this rule is criminal cases. 
 
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Tamela I. Perdue of Stiles, Taylor and Grace, P.A., Tallahassee, Florida, on behalf 
of Associated Industries of Florida; Representative Greg Evers, District One, 
Florida House of Representatives, Milton, Florida; Senator Michael S. Bennett, 
The Florida Senate, Bradenton, Florida; Keith Hetrick, General Counsel, for and 
on behalf of Florida Home Builders, Tallahassee, Florida; and Frank E. Matthews 
of Hopping Green and Sams, P.A., Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
Responding with comments as Proponents 
 
David M. Caldevilla and Edward P. de la Parte, Jr. of de la Parte and Gilbert, P.A., 
Tampa, Florida, on behalf of Charlotte County, Florida; Elizabeth M. Hernandez, 
Coral Gables, Florida, on behalf of City of Coral Gables, Florida; Harry Morrison, 
Jr., Tallahassee, Florida, on behalf of Florida League of Cities, Inc.; Kenneth W. 
Buchman, Plant City, Florida, on behalf of City of Plant City, Florida; V. Lynn 
Whitfield, North Miami, Florida, on behalf of City of North Miami, Florida; 
Marion J. Radson, Gainesville, Florida, on behalf of City of Gainesville, Florida; 
Jerry M. Gewirtz, Tampa, Florida, on behalf of City of Tampa, Florida; Virginia 
Saunders Delegal, Tallahassee, Florida, on behalf of Florida Association of 
Counties, Inc.; Donald T. Smallwood, Kissimmee, Florida, on behalf of City of 
Kissimmee, Florida; Renee Francis Lee and Robert E. Brazel, Tampa, Florida, on 
behalf of Hillsborough County, Florida; Herbert W. A. Thiele, Tallahassee, 
Florida, on behalf of Florida Association of County Attorneys, Inc.; Carol Jean 
LoCicero and Deanna K. Shullman of Thomas and LoCicero, PL, Tampa, Florida, 
on behalf of Media General Operations, Inc., d/b/a The Tampa Tribune, WFLA-
TV/News Channel 8 and WMBB-TV/News Channel 13, and NYT Management 
Services, Inc., publisher of the (Sarasota) Herald-Tribune, (Lakeland) Ledger, 
Gainesville Sun and (Ocala) Star-Banner; and Eve A. Boutsis of Nagin, Gallop and 
Figueredo, P.A., Village of Palmetto Bay, Florida, on behalf of City of South 
Miami, Florida, and Village of Palmetto Bay, Florida, 
 
 
Responding with comments as Opponents 
 
 
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APPENDIX 
 
 
 
RULE 9.010.  EFFECTIVE DATE AND SCOPE 
 
These rules, cited as “Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure,” and 
abbreviated “Fla. R. App. P.,” shall take effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 1, 1978.  
They shall govern all proceedings commenced on or after that date in the supreme 
court, the district courts of appeal, and the circuit courts in the exercise of the 
jurisdiction described by rule 9.030(c); provided that any appellate proceeding 
commenced before March 1, 1978, shall continue to its conclusion in the court in 
which it is then pending in accordance with the Florida Appellate Rules, 1962 
Amendment.  These rules shall supersede all conflicting statutes and, as provided 
in Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.135130, all conflicting rules of 
procedure. 
 
Committee Notes 
 
[No Change] 
 
 
 
RULE 9.130.  PROCEEDINGS TO REVIEW NON-FINAL ORDERS AND 
SPECIFIED FINAL ORDERS 
 
(a) Applicability. 
 
(1) – (2) [No change] 
 
(3) Appeals to the district courts of appeal of non-final orders are limited to 
those that 
 
(A) – (B) [No Change] 
 
(C) determine 
 
(i) [No change]; 
 
 
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(ii) the right to immediate possession of property;, including but not limited 
to orders that grant, modify, dissolve or refuse to grant, modify, or dissolve writs 
of replevin, garnishment, or attachment; 
 
(iii) [No change]; 
 
(iv) the entitlement of a party to arbitration;, or to an appraisal under an 
insurance policy;  
 
(v) – (viii) [No change] 
 
(D) [No change] 
 
(4) [No change] 
 
(5) Orders entered on motions filed under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 
1.540, Small Claims Rule 7.190, Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.270, and Florida 
Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.540 an authorized and timely motion for relief 
from judgment are reviewable by the method prescribed by this rule.  Motions for 
rehearing directed to these orders will not toll the time for filing a notice of appeal. 
 
(6) [No change] 
 
(b) – (h) [No change] 
 
Committee Notes 
 
1977 Amendment.  [No change] 
 
1992 Amendment.  [No change] 
 
1996 Amendment.  [No change] 
 
2000 Amendment.  [No Change] 
 
2008 Amendment.  Subdivision 9.130(a)(3)(C)(ii) was amended to address 
a conflict in the case law concerning whether orders granting, modifying, 
dissolving, or refusing to grant, modify, or dissolve garnishments are appealable 
under this subdivision.  Compare Ramseyer v. Williamson, 639 So. 2d 205 (Fla. 5th 
DCA 1994) (garnishment order not appealable), with 5361 N. Dixie Highway v. 
 
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Capital Bank, 658 So. 2d 1037 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995) (permitting appeal from 
garnishment order and acknowledging conflict).  The amendment is not intended to 
limit or expand the scope of matters covered under this rule.  In that vein, replevin 
and attachment were included as examples of similar writs covered by this rule.  
 
Subdivision (a)(3)(C)(iv) has been amended to clarify that nonfinal orders 
determining a party’s entitlement to an appraisal under an insurance policy are 
added to the category of nonfinal orders appealable to the district courts of appeal.  
 
Subdivision 9.130(a)(5) is intended to authorize appeals from orders entered 
on motions for relief from judgment that are specifically contemplated by a 
specific rule of procedure (e.g., the current versions of Florida Rule of Civil 
Procedure 1.540, Small Claims Rule 7.190, Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 
12.540, and Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.150 and 8.270). 
 
Subdivision (a)(5) has been amended to recognize the unique nature of the 
orders listed in this subdivision and to codify the holdings of all of Florida’s 
district courts of appeal on this subject.  The amendment also clarifies that motions 
for rehearing directed to these particular types of orders are unauthorized and will 
not toll the time for filing a notice of appeal. 
 
 
 
RULE 9.140.  APPEAL PROCEEDINGS IN CRIMINAL CASES 
 
(a) – (b) [No change] 
 
(c) Appeals by the State. 
 
(1) – (2) [No change] 
 
(3) Commencement.  The state shall file the notice prescribed by rule 
9.110(d) with the clerk of the lower tribunal within 15 days of rendition of the 
order to be reviewed; provided that in an appeal by the state under rule 
9.140(c)(1)(JK), the state’s notice of cross-appeal shall be filed within 10 days of 
service of defendant’s notice or service of an order on a motion pursuant to Florida 
Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800(b)(2).  Copies shall be served on the defendant 
and the attorney of record.  An appeal by the state shall stay further proceedings in 
the lower tribunal only by order of the lower tribunal. 
 
 
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(d) – (i) [No change] 
 
Committee Notes 
 
[No change] 
 
Court Commentary 
 
[No change] 
 
 
 
Rule 9.190.  Judicial Review of Administrative Action 
(a) – (d) [No change] 
(e) Stays Pending Review. 
(1) Effect of Initiating Review.  The filing of a notice of administrative 
appeal or a petition seeking review of administrative action shall not operate as a 
stay, except that such filing shall give rise to an automatic stay as provided in rule 
9.310(b)(2) or chapter 120, Florida Statutes, or when timely review is sought of an 
award by an administrative law judge on a claim for birth-related neurological 
injuries. 
(2) – (4) [No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
 
 
RULE 9.200. THE RECORD 
 
(a) Contents. 
 
(1) – (2) [No change] 
 
(3) Within 10 days of filing the notice of appeal, an appellant may direct the 
clerk to include or exclude other documents or exhibits filed in the lower tribunal. 
 
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The directions shall be substantially in the form prescribed by rule 9.900(fg).  If 
the clerk is directed to transmit less than the entire record or a transcript of trial 
with less than all of the testimony, the appellant shall serve with such direction a 
statement of the judicial acts to be reviewed.  Within 20 days of filing the notice, 
an appellee may direct the clerk to include additional documents and exhibits. 
 
(4) [No change] 
 
(b) – (g) [No change] 
 
Committee Notes 
 
[No change] 
 
 
 
RULE 9.210.  BRIEFS 
 
(a) Generally.  In addition to briefs on jurisdiction under rule 9.120(d), the 
only briefs permitted to be filed by the parties in any one proceeding are the initial 
brief, the answer brief, a reply brief, and a cross-reply brief.  All briefs required by 
these rules shall be prepared as follows: 
 
(1) – (4) [No change] 
 
(5) The initial and answer briefs shall not exceed 50 pages in length, 
provided that if a cross-appeal has been filed, the answer brief/initial brief on 
cross-appeal shall not exceed 85 pages.  Reply briefs shall not exceed 15 pages in 
length; provided that if a cross-appeal has been filed, the reply brief shall not 
exceed 50 pages, not more than 15 of which shall be devoted to argument replying 
to the answer portion of the appellee/cross-appellant’s brief.  Cross-reply briefs 
shall not exceed 15 pages.  Briefs on jurisdiction shall not exceed 10 pages.  The 
tables of contents and the citations of authorities, and certificates of service and 
compliance, shall be excluded from the computation.  Longer briefs may be 
permitted by the court. 
 
(b) – (h) [No change] 
 
Committee Notes 
 
 
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[No change] 
 
Court Commentary 
 
[No change] 
 
 
 
RULE 9.310.  STAY PENDING REVIEW 
 
(a) [No change] 
 
(b) Exceptions. 
 
(1) [No change] 
 
(2) Public Bodies; Public Officers.  The timely filing of a notice shall 
automatically operate as a stay pending review, except in criminal cases, in 
administrative actions under the Administrative Procedure Act, or as otherwise 
provided by chapter 120, Florida Statutes, when the state, any public officer in an 
official capacity, board, commission, or other public body seeks review; provided 
that an automatic stay shall exist for 48 hours after the filing of the notice of appeal 
for public records and public meeting cases.  On motion, the lower tribunal or the 
court may extend a stay, impose any lawful conditions, or vacate the stay. 
 
(c) – (f) [No change] 
 
 
Committee Notes 
 
[No change] 
 
 
 
RULE 9.330.  REHEARING; CLARIFICATION; CERTIFICATION 
 
(a) – (c) [No change] 
 
(d) Exception; Review of District Court Decisions.  No motion for 
rehearing or clarification may be filed in the supreme court addressed toing:  
 
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(1) the dismissal of an appeal that attempts to invoke the court’s mandatory 
jurisdiction under rule 9.030(a)(1)(A)(ii) when the appeal seeks to review a 
decision of a district court of appeal without opinion, or 
 
(2) the grant or denial of a request for the court to exercise its discretion to 
review a decision described in rule 9.120030(a)(2)(A), or addressed to 
 
(3) the dismissal of a petition for an extraordinary writ described in rule 
9.100(a)030(a)(3) when such writ is used to seek review of a district court decision 
without opinion. 
 
Committee Notes 
 
1977 Amendment.  [No change] 
 
2000 Amendment.  [No change] 
 
2002 Amendment.  [No change] 
 
2008 Amendment.  Subdivision (d) has been amended to reflect the holding 
in Jackson v. State, 926 So. 2d 1262 (Fla. 2006). 
 
 
 
RULE 9.370.  AMICUS CURIAE 
 
(a) – (c) [No change] 
 
(d) Notice of Intent to File Amicus Brief in Supreme Court.  When a 
party has invoked the discretionary jurisdiction of the supreme court, an amicus 
curiae may file a notice with the court indicating its intent to seek leave to file an 
amicus brief on the merits should the court accept jurisdiction.  The notice shall 
state briefly why the case is of interest to the amicus curiae, but shall not contain 
argument. The body of the notice shall not exceed one page. 
Committee Notes 
 
1977 Amendment.  [No change] 
 
 
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2008 Amendment.  Subdivision (d) was added to establish a procedure for 
an amicus curiae to expeditiously inform the supreme court of its intent to seek 
leave to file an amicus brief on the merits should the court accept jurisdiction.  
This rule imposes no obligation on the supreme court to delay its determination of 
jurisdiction.  Thus, an amicus curiae should file its notice as soon as possible after 
the filing of the notice to invoke the discretionary jurisdiction of the supreme court.  
The filing of a notice under subdivision (d) is optional and shall not relieve an 
amicus curiae from compliance with the provisions of subdivision (a) of this rule if 
the court accepts jurisdiction. 
 
 
 
RULE 9.430.  PROCEEDINGS BY INDIGENTS 
 
(a) Motion and AffidavitAppeals. A party who has the right to seek review 
by appeal without payment of costs shall, unless the court directs otherwise, file a 
signed application for determination of indigent status with the clerk ofmotion in 
the lower tribunal, using an application form approved by the Supreme Court for 
use by circuit court clerks. with an affidavit showing the party’s inability either to 
pay fees and costs or to give security therefor.  For review by original proceedings 
under rule 9.100, unless the court directs otherwise, the party shall file the motion 
and affidavit with the court. If the motion is granted, the party may proceed 
without further application to the court and without either the prepayment of fees 
or costs in the lower tribunal or court or the giving of security therefor. The clerk 
of the lower tribunal’sRreasons for denying the motionapplication shall be stated in 
writing and are reviewable by the lower tribunal. Review of decisions by the lower 
tribunal shall be by motion filed in the court. 
 
(b) Original Proceedings. A party who seeks review by an original 
proceeding under rule 9.100 without the payment of costs shall, unless the court 
directs otherwise, file with the court a motion to proceed in forma pauperis.  If the 
motion is granted, the party may proceed without further application to the court. 
 
(bc) Incarcerated Parties. 
 
(1) Presumptions.  In the absence of evidence to the contrary, an appellate 
court may, in its discretion, presume that 
 
(A) assertions in an affidavitapplication for determination of indigent status 
filed by an incarcerated party under this rule are true, and 
 
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(B) in cases involving criminal or collateral criminal proceedings, an 
incarcerated party who has been declared indigent for purposes of proceedings in 
the lower tribunal remains indigent. 
 
(2) Non-Criminal Proceedings.  Except in cases involving criminal or 
collateral proceedings, a motion and affidavitan application for determination of 
indigent status filed under this rule by a person who has been convicted of a crime 
and is incarcerated for that crime or who is being held in custody pending 
extradition or sentencing shall contain substantially the same information as 
required by rule 9.900(i)an application form approved by the Supreme Court for 
use by circuit court clerks.  The determination of whether the case involves an 
appeal from an original criminal or collateral proceeding depends on the substance 
of the issues raised and not on the form or title of the petition or complaint.  In 
these non-criminal cases, the court mayclerk of the lower tribunal shall require the 
party to make a partial prepayment of court costs or fees and to make continued 
partial payments until the full amount is paid. 
 
Committee Notes 
 
1977 Adoption.  [No change] 
 
2008 Amendment.  Subdivision (b) was created to differentiate the 
treatment of original proceedings from appeals under this rule.  Each subdivision 
was further amended to comply with statutory amendments to section 27.52, 
Florida Statutes, the legislature’s enactment of section 57.082, Florida Statutes, 
and the Florida Supreme Court’s opinion in In re Approval of Application for 
Determination of Indigent Status Forms for Use by Clerks, 910 So. 2d 194 (Fla. 
2005). 
 
 
 
RULE 9.600.  JURISDICTION OF LOWER TRIBUNAL PENDING 
REVIEW 
 
(a) – (c) [No Change] 
 
(d) Criminal Cases.  The lower tribunal shall retain jurisdiction to consider 
motions pursuant to Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.800(b)(2) and in 
conjunction with post-trial release pursuant to rule 9.140(gh). 
 
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Committee Notes 
 
[No Change] 
 
 
 
RULE 9.800.  UNIFORM CITATION SYSTEM 
 
This rule applies to all legal documents, including court opinions.  Except 
for citations to case reporters, all citation forms should be spelled out in full if used 
as an integral part of a sentence either in the text or in footnotes.  Abbreviated 
forms as shown in this rule should be used if the citation is intended to stand alone 
either in the text or in footnotes. 
 
(a) – (h) [No Change] 
 
(i) Florida Rules. 
Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.180. 
Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.035110. 
Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.850. 
Fla. R. Work. Comp. P. 4.113. 
Fla. Prob. R. 5.120. 
Fla. R. Traf. Ct. 6.165. 
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.070. 
Fla. R. Juv. P. 8.070. 
Fla. R. App. P. 9.100. 
Fla. R. Med. 10.100. 
Fla. R. Arb. 11.010. 
Fla. Fam. L. R. P. 12.010. 
Fla. Admin. Code R. 62D-2.014. 
R. Regulating Fla. Bar 4-1.10. 
Fla. Bar Found. By-Laws, art. 2.19(b). 
Fla. Bar Found. Charter, art. III, §3.4. 
Fla. Bar Integr. R., art. XI, §11.09. 
Fla. Jud. Qual. Comm’n R. 9. 
Fla. Std. Jury Instr. (Civ.) 6.4(c). 
Fla. Std. Jury Instr. (Crim.) 2.03. 
Fla. Std. Jury Instr. (Crim.) Robbery. 
Fla. Stds. Imposing Law. Sancs. 9.32(a). 
 
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Fla. Bar Admiss. R. 3-23.1. 
 
(j) – (p) [No change] 
 
Committee Notes 
 
[No change] 
 
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RULE 9.900. FORMS 
 
(a) – (i) [No change] 
 
(j) Prisoner’s Motion and Affidavit to Proceed Without Prepayment of 
Court Costs and Fees.   
 
IN THE (name of court) 
____________________ 
 
Case No. _________ 
 
__________________, 
) 
Appellant(s)/ 
) 
Plaintiff(s)/Petitioner(s),) 
 
PRISONER’S MOTION AND AFFIDAVIT 
 
) 
 
TO PROCEED WITHOUT PREPAYMENT OF  
v. 
) 
 
COURT COSTS AND FEES 
__________________) 
Appellee(s)/ 
) 
Defendant(s)/ 
) 
Respondent(s). 
) 
 
I, ____________, am a plaintiff/petitioner/ appellant in the above-styled action. I have 
been convicted of a crime and am currently incarcerated for that crime, or I am being held in 
custody pending extradition or sentencing.  Pursuant to § 57.085, Fla. Stat., I hereby apply for 
leave to proceed in this action without prepayment of court costs and fees. 
 
I acknowledge that the custodian or the custodian’s designee for my inmate trust account 
may withdraw funds from my account and transmit these funds to the clerk of the court, as 
directed by order of the court.  These funds will be applied to any court costs or fees that the 
court requires me to pay in connection with this case.  This acknowledgment applies to any 
institution in which I am or will be confined. 
 
I am unable to pay court costs and fees.  Under penalty of perjury, I swear or affirm that 
all statements in this affidavit are true and complete. 
 
1. State your inmate number and the place and address of the institution where you are in 
prison or in custody.  
 
. 
 
2. Are you presently employed? Yes ( ) No ( ) 
 
a. If yes, state your occupation, the amount of your monthly salary or wages, and your 
employer’s address. 
 
 
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b. If no, state the time period of your last employment, your occupation, and the amount 
of monthly salary or wages received. 
 
3. Have you received within the past twelve months any money from any of the following 
sources? 
 
a. Business, profession, or self-employment?  Yes ( )  No ( ) 
 
b. Rent, payments, interest, or dividends?  Yes ( )  No ( ) 
 
c. Pensions, annuities, or life insurance?  Yes ( )  No ( ) 
 
d. Gifts or inheritances?  Yes ( )  No ( ) 
 
e. Any other source?  Yes ( )  No ( ) 
 
If you answered yes to any of the above, describe each source and state amount received 
from each.  _____________________________________. 
 
4. Do you own any cash, or do you have money in a checking, savings, or money market 
account? (Include funds in prison account.)  Yes ( )  No ( ) 
 
If yes, state the amount of cash owned and the current balance(s) in each checking, 
savings, or money market account. _______________________________. 
 
5. Do you own any real estate, stocks, bonds, notes, automobiles, or other tangible or 
intangible thing of value worth more than $100? Yes ( ) No ( ) 
 
If yes, describe each item of property and state its approximate value.  ______________. 
 
6. List the persons who are dependent upon you for support, state their ages and their 
relationship to you, and indicate how much you contribute toward their support. 
 
7. State the nature and amount of any significant monthly expenses that you must pay, 
such as mortgage payments or rent.  ___________________________________________.. 
 
8. List all of your significant debts, including the name of each person or entity to whom 
you owe the debt, the total amount owed, and monthly payment, if any.  ___________________. 
 
9. During the past three years, have you been permitted two or more times to proceed 
without prepayment of court costs or fees in Florida or federal courts or adjudicatory forums, or 
to intervene in actions in these courts or adjudicatory forums without prepayment of court costs 
or fees, pursuant to Sections 57.081 or 57.085, Florida Statutes, or 28 U.S.C. § 1915?  Yes ( )  
No ( ) 
 
 
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If yes, list below all suits, actions, claims, proceedings, or appeals that you have brought 
or intervened in during the past five years in any court or adjudicatory forum. 
 
Name of Court 
Case Number 
Nature of 
Disposition 
the Action 
 
If necessary, attach additional pages that reflect the required information. 
 
__________________________ 
Signature of Appellant/ 
Plaintiff/Petitioner 
 
State of Florida 
County of __________ 
 
Sworn to and subscribed before me on .....(date)..... by ......(name)...... 
 
__________________________ 
Notary Public—State of Florida 
(Print, Type, or Stamp Commissioned 
Name Of Notary Public) 
 
Personally known ____ 
OR Produced Identification _____ 
Type of Identification Produced ___________ 
 
FINANCIAL CERTIFICATE 
 
(To be completed by authorized official of institution where prisoner is confined) 
 
The prisoner must attach computer printout(s) reflecting all transactions in the prisoner’s 
inmate trust account(s) for the preceding six months or for the period of incarceration, whichever 
is shorter.  The prisoner has the responsibility to obtain the required printout(s) from each 
institution where the prisoner was or is confined and to provide the printout(s) to the official 
completing this certificate. 
 
1. Name of prisoner _____________ 
 
2. Current available account balance _________ 
 
3. Average highest available ________ monthly balance for the preceding six months or 
for the period of incarceration, whichever is shorter. 
 
4. Average available monthly _______ deposits for preceding six months or for the 
period of incarceration, whichever is shorter. 
 
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If printout(s) or the above calculations do not represent the preceding six month period in its 
entirety, the official completing this certificate should explain here: 
 
I hereby certify that, as of this date, the above information for the inmate trust account of the 
prisoner named above is correct. 
 
_________________________ 
Authorized official of institution 
Date: ___________ 
 
ORDER REQUIRING FURTHER INFORMATION 
FOR DETERMINATION OF PRISONER’S INDIGENCY 
 
Based on a claim of indigency, Petitioner (Plaintiff) seeks a waiver of the filing fee in this 
matter of $_____.  Petitioner (Plaintiff) appears to be incarcerated for conviction of a crime or 
pending extradition or sentencing.  The documents filed by Petitioner (Plaintiff) are insufficient 
to determine whether the Petitioner (Plaintiff) is indigent under Section 57.085, Florida Statutes. 
Petitioner (Plaintiff) must either pay the filing fee stated above or file the following items (as 
marked) with this tribunal within 45 days of the date of this order: 
 
____ 1. Affidavit of indigency containing Petitioner’s (Plaintiff’s) identity and the 
financial information required by Section 57.085(2), Florida Statutes. 
 
____ 2. Statement in the affidavit regarding whether the Petitioner (Plaintiff) has been 
determined to be indigent under Sections 57.081 or 57.085, Florida Statutes, or 28 U.S.C. § 1915 
two or more times during the past three years and, if yes, a listing of all suits, actions, claims, 
proceedings, or appeals brought by the prisoner or intervened in by the prisoner in any court or 
adjudicatory forum during the past five years. 
 
____ 3. Statement in the affidavit that “I am unable to pay court costs and fees. Under 
penalty of perjury, I swear or affirm that all statements in this affidavit are true and complete.” 
 
____ 4. Acknowledgment that funds will be withdrawn from the Petitioner’s (Plaintiff’s) 
inmate trust account. 
 
____ 5. A copy of the Petitioner’s (Plaintiff’s) inmate trust account records for the past 6 
months or the length of the Petitioner’s (Plaintiff’s) incarceration, whichever period is shorter. If 
Petitioner (Plaintiff) has not had an inmate trust account during this time period, the Petitioner 
(Plaintiff) must submit signed documentation from prison or jail officials for each institution 
confirming that the Petitioner (Plaintiff) did not have a trust account. 
 
____ 6. A financial certificate, signed by an authorized official of the Petitioner’s 
(Plaintiff’s) place of confinement, reflecting the current available account balance of the 
Petitioner’s (Plaintiff’s) inmate trust account and the average highest available monthly balance 
 
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and average available monthly deposits in the trust account for the past 6 months or the length of 
the Petitioner’s (Plaintiff’s) incarceration, whichever period is shorter. 
 
Completion of the enclosed or attached form will satisfy all of these requirements. Failure 
either to pay the filing fee in full or to comply with this order within 45 days from the date of this 
order may result in dismissal of this case. If the Petitioner (Plaintiff) has filed or intervened in 
more than one action, separate documents must be supplied for each action and the case number 
must appear on each submission. 
 
ORDER ON PRISONER’S INDIGENCY 
 
Based on a claim of indigency, Petitioner (Plaintiff) seeks waiver of prepayment of court 
costs and fees, pursuant to Section 57.085, Florida Statutes.  Having reviewed the documents 
filed by Petitioner (Plaintiff), this tribunal finds that Petitioner (Plaintiff) is a prisoner as defined 
by Section 57.085(1), Florida Statutes, and orders as follows: 
 
I.  DETERMINATION OF INDIGENCY (check one) 
 
____ A.  NOT INDIGENT. The Petitioner (Plaintiff) is found not indigent because 
______________________________.  The filing fee of $_____ must be paid in full or this case 
will be dismissed. (skip Section II) (Note that Fla. R. App. P. 9.430 requires a statement of 
reasons for denying a request for indigency status.) 
 
____ B.  FULL WAIVER.  Petitioner (Plaintiff) is indigent and unable to prepay court 
costs and fees.  Petitioner (Plaintiff) is obligated to pay court costs and fees as specified in 
Section II below. 
 
____ C.  PARTIAL WAIVER. Petitioner (Plaintiff) is indigent but able to prepay part of 
the court costs and fees.  Petitioner (Plaintiff) shall make, prior to any further proceedings, an 
initial partial payment of the greater of either (1) 80% of the current available balance of the 
Petitioner’s (Plaintiff’s) inmate trust account or (2) the greater of 20% of the average highest 
available monthly balance or the average available monthly deposits of the Petitioner’s (Plaintiff’s) 
inmate trust account for the preceding 6 months or the period of incarceration, whichever period is 
shorter.  This tribunal determines this amount to be $_____.  Payment must be made within 45 
days of the date of this order, or this case may be dismissed.  Petitioner (Plaintiff) shall make 
monthly payments of the remaining court costs and fees as specified in Section II below. 
 
II.  PAYMENT OF COURT COSTS AND FILING FEES 
 
The initial filing fee in this case is $ ______.  The Department of Corrections or the local 
detention facility shall place a lien on the inmate’s trust account for the full amount owed, 
withdraw money maintained in the trust account, and transmit the money to the clerk of the court 
until the Petitioner’s (Plaintiff’s) court costs and fees are paid in full.  When the balance in the 
inmate’s account is less than $10, the Department of Corrections or local detention facility shall 
accumulate the funds and not transmit them to the clerk until the balance exceeds $10.  Any 
dismissal of this case, transfer of the Petitioner (Plaintiff) to a different detention facility, or 
 
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release of the Petitioner (Plaintiff) from custody shall not extinguish the lien or the Petitioner’s 
(Plaintiff’s) responsibility to pay the full amount owed. 
 
 
Committee Notes 
 
[No Change]