Title: In Re: Amendments To Florida Rules Of Criminal Procedure 3.851 And 3.590

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
_____________ 
 
No. SC05-1165 
_____________ 
 
 
 
 
IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA RULES OF CRIMINAL 
PROCEDURE 3.851 AND 3.590. 
 
[December 7, 2006] 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Court Steering Committee (Committee) 
proposes amendments to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.590, Time for and 
Method of Making Motions; Procedure; Custody Pending Hearing, and rule 3.851, 
Collateral Relief After Death Sentence Has Been Imposed and Affirmed on Direct 
Appeal.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. 
BACKGROUND 
 
For purposes of uniformity, the Court asked the Committee to draft a 
proposed rule of procedure addressing the appeal of circuit court orders finding 
death-sentenced inmates competent to waive postconviction proceedings and 
counsel.  In conjunction with that referral, the Committee identified the need for 
several additional changes to rule 3.851.  The Committee also proposes several 
changes to rule 3.590 that address the filing of motions for a new trial in capital 
cases where the death penalty is an issue.  The Committee’s unanimously 
recommended proposals were published for comment in the October 1, 2005, 
edition of The Florida Bar News, and a single comment was filed.1  The Court 
reviewed the proposals, considered the comment, and made several changes to the 
proposed amendments to subdivision (b) of rule 3.590 and subdivision (i) of rule 
3.851; the Court then submitted the modified proposals to the Committee for 
further consideration.  The Committee filed a report proposing further amendments 
to those subdivisions. 
After reviewing the revised proposals, we adopt the amendments, as 
proposed by the Committee, to subdivisions (a) and (b) of rule 3.590 and to 
subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of rule 3.851.  We also adopt proposed 
new subdivision (i) of rule 3.851, with minor modifications.  The major substantive 
amendments are discussed below. 
AMENDMENTS 
 
Rule 3.590, Time for and Method of Making Motions; Procedure; Custody 
Pending Hearing, is amended by retitling subdivision (a) to read “Time for Filing 
in Noncapital Cases,” and by adding new subdivision (b), Time for Filing in 
                                          
 
 
1.  The comment was filed by the Florida Association of Criminal Defense 
Lawyers with respect to proposed new rule 3.851(i). 
 
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Capital Cases Where the Death Penalty Is an Issue.  The retitling of subdivision (a) 
is necessitated by the addition of new subdivision (b), which sets forth the time 
limits and procedure for filing a motion for a new trial or in arrest of judgment in 
cases where the death penalty is an issue.  The Committee proposed the 
amendment in response to a capital case, which arose in Seminole County, wherein 
the motion for a new trial was filed within ten days after the penalty phase was 
completed but not within ten days after the guilt-phase verdict was rendered.  
Existing rule 3.590(a) fails to address this situation, and the Committee concluded 
that a new provision was necessary to address the bifurcated trials that take place 
in capital cases.  New subdivision (b) addresses this situation. 
 
Rule 3.851(b), Appointment of Postconviction Counsel, which currently 
does not address the appointment of registry counsel, is amended to provide for the 
appointment of registry counsel, where appropriate, upon issuance of the mandate 
affirming a judgment and sentence of death on direct appeal.  The Committee 
proposed the amendment in response to section 27.701(2), Florida Statutes (2005) 
(providing that “the responsibilities of the regional office of capital collateral 
counsel for the northern region of the state shall be met through a pilot program 
using only attorneys from the registry of attorneys maintained pursuant to s. 
27.710”).  The present amendment renders the rule consistent with the statute. 
 
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Rule 3.851(e), Contents of Motion, is amended to provide that the rule “does 
not authorize relief based upon claims that could have or should have been raised 
at trial and, if properly preserved, on direct appeal of the judgment and sentence.”  
This amendment is based on a similar provision in rule 3.850.  See Fla. R. Crim. P. 
3.850(c). 
 
Finally, new rule 3.851(i), Dismissal of Postconviction Proceedings, is 
added to set forth a procedure whereby death-sentenced prisoners can dismiss 
postconviction proceedings and discharge counsel.  The Committee proposed this 
amendment in response to the Court’s request.  The Florida Association of 
Criminal Defense Lawyers, which opposes the amendment, argues that the Court 
should extend its holding in Klokoc v. State, 589 So. 2d 219, 222 (Fla. 1991) 
(holding that despite defendant’s wishes to the contrary, “counsel for appellant is 
directed to proceed to prosecute the appeal in a genuinely adversary manner, 
providing diligent advocacy of appellant’s interests”), to include postconviction 
proceedings.  We reject this suggestion.  After the decision in Klokoc was issued, 
the Court consistently has held that death-sentenced prisoners may waive collateral 
proceedings and counsel.  See, e.g., Alston v. State, 894 So. 2d 46 (Fla. 2004) 
(setting forth criteria for dismissing postconviction proceedings and discharging 
counsel).  The present amendment renders the rule consistent with the Court’s 
precedent in this area. 
 
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Accordingly, we amend the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure as reflected 
in the appendix to this opinion.  New language is indicated by underscoring; 
deletions are indicated by struck-through type.  The committee notes and 
commentary are offered for explanation only and are not adopted as an official part 
of the rules.  The amendments shall become effective January 1, 2007, at 12:01 
a.m. 
 
It is so ordered. 
LEWIS, C.J., and WELLS, ANSTEAD, PARIENTE, QUINCE, CANTERO, and 
BELL, JJ., concur. 
 
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. 
 
Original Proceeding – Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 
 
The Honorable O. H. Eaton, Jr., Chair, Criminal Court Steering Committee, 
Seminole County Circuit Court Judge, Sanford, Florida, 
 
 
for Petitioner 
 
Paula S. Saunders, Assistant Public Defender, Second Judicial Circuit, Tallahassee, 
Florida, and Michael Ufferman, Attorney at Law, Tallahassee, Florida, on behalf 
of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 
 
 
responding with comments. 
 
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APPENDIX 
 
RULE 3.590. 
TIME FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING MOTIONS;  
 
 
 
PROCEDURE; CUSTODY PENDING HEARING 
 
(a) 
Time for Filing in Noncapital Cases. A motion for new trial or in 
arrest of judgment, or both, in cases in which the state does not seek the death 
penalty, may be made within 10 days after the rendition of the verdict or the 
finding of the court.  A timely motion may be amended to state new grounds 
without leave of court prior to expiration of the 10-day period and in the discretion 
of the court at any other time before the motion is determined. 
 
(b) 
Time for Filing in Capital Cases Where the Death Penalty Is an 
Issue.  A motion for new trial or arrest of judgment, or both, or for a new penalty 
phase hearing may be made within ten days after written final judgment of 
conviction and sentence of life imprisonment or death is filed.  The motion may 
address grounds which arose in the guilt phase and the penalty phase of the trial.  
Separate motions for the guilt phase and the penalty phase may be filed.  The 
motion or motions may be amended without leave of court prior to the expiration 
of the ten day period, and in the discretion of the court, at any other time before the 
motion is determined. 
 
(b)(c) Oral Motions.  When the defendant has been found guilty by a jury 
or by the court, the motion may be dictated into the record, if a court reporter is 
present, and may be argued immediately after the return of the verdict or the 
finding of the court.  The court may immediately rule on the motion. 
 
(c)(d) Written Motions.  The motion may be in writing, filed with the clerk; 
it shall state the grounds on which it is based.  A copy of a written motion shall be 
served on the prosecuting attorney.  When the court sets a time for the hearing 
thereon, the clerk may notify counsel for the respective parties or the attorney for 
the defendant may serve notice of hearing on the prosecuting officer. 
 
(d)(e) Custody Pending Motion.  Until the motion is disposed of, a 
defendant who is not already at liberty on bail shall remain in custody and not be 
allowed liberty on bail unless the court on good cause shown (if the offense for 
which the defendant is convicted is bailable) permits the defendant to be released 
on bail until the motion is disposed of.  If the defendant is already at liberty on bail 
 
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that is deemed by the court to be good and sufficient, it may permit the defendant 
to continue at large on such bail until the motion for new trial is heard and 
disposed of. 
Committee Notes 
1968 Adoption. 
 
(No Change) 
1972 Amendment. 
(No Change) 
1980 Amendment. 
(No Change) 
2006 Amendment.  This amendment provides the time limitations and 
procedures for moving for new trial, arrest of judgment or a new penalty phase in 
capital cases in which the death penalty is an issue.  The motion may be made 
within ten days after written final judgment of conviction and sentence of life 
imprisonment or death is filed. 
 
RULE 3.851. 
COLLATERAL RELIEF AFTER DEATH SENTENCE 
 
 
 
HAS BEEN IMPOSED AND AFFIRMED ON DIRECT 
 
 
 
APPEAL 
 
(a) 
Scope.  This rule shall apply to all motions and petitions for any type 
of postconviction or collateral relief brought by a prisoner in state custody who has 
been sentenced to death and whose conviction and death sentence have been 
affirmed on direct appeal.  It shall apply to all postconviction motions filed on or 
after October 1, 2001., by prisoners who are under sentence of death. Motions 
pending on that date are governed by the version of this rule in effect immediately 
prior to that date. 
 
(b) 
Appointment of Postconviction Counsel. 
 
(1) 
Upon the issuance of the mandate affirming a judgment and sentence 
of death on direct appeal, the Supreme Court of Florida shall at the same time issue 
an order appointing the appropriate office of the Capital Collateral Regional 
Counsel. or directing the trial court to immediately appoint counsel from the 
Registry of Attorneys maintained by the Commission on Capital Cases.  The name 
of Registry Counsel shall be filed with the Supreme Court of Florida. 
 
 
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(2) 
Within 30 days of the issuance of the mandate, the Capital Collateral 
Regional Counsel or Registry Counsel shall file a notice of appearance in the trial 
court or a motion to withdraw based on a conflict of interest or some other legal 
ground.  Motions to withdraw filed more than 30 days after the issuance of the 
mandate shall not be entertained unless based on a specific conflict of interest as 
set forth in section 27.703, Florida Statutes. 
 
(3) 
Within 15 days after Capital Collateral Regional Counsel or Registry 
Counsel files a motion to withdraw, the chief judge or assigned judge shall rule on 
the motion and appoint new postconviction counsel if necessary.  The appointment 
of new collateral counsel shall be from the Registry of attorneys maintained by the 
Commission on Capital Cases unless the case is administratively transferred to 
another Capital Collateral Regional Counsel. 
 
(c) 
Preliminary Procedures. 
 
(1) 
(No Change) 
 
(2) 
Status Conferences.  The assigned judge shall conduct a status 
hearing conference not later than 90 days after the judicial assignment, and shall 
hold status conferences at least every 90 days thereafter until the evidentiary 
hearing has been completed or the motion has been ruled on without a hearing.  
The attorneys, with leave of the trial court, may appear by telephone electronically 
at such the status conferences.  Such requests Requests to appear electronically 
shall be liberally granted. Pending motions, disputes involving public records, or 
any other matters ordered by the court shall be heard at the status conferences. 
 
(3) – (4) 
(No Change) 
 
(d) 
Time Limitation. 
 
(1) 
(No Change) 
 
(2) 
No motion shall be filed or considered pursuant to this rule if filed 
beyond the time limitation provided in subdivision (d)(1) unless it alleges: that 
 
(A) – (C) 
(No Change) 
 
(3) 
All petitions for extraordinary relief in which the Supreme Court of 
Florida has original jurisdiction, including petitions for writ writs of habeas corpus, 
 
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shall be filed simultaneously with the initial brief filed on behalf of the 
death-sentenced prisoner in the appeal of the circuit court’s order on the initial 
motion for postconviction relief filed under this rule. 
 
(4) – (5) 
(No Change) 
 
(e) 
Contents of Motion. 
 
(1) 
Initial Motion.  A motion filed under this rule is an initial 
postconviction motion if no state court has previously ruled on a postconviction 
motion challenging the same judgment and sentence.  An initial motion and 
memorandum of law filed under this rule shall not exceed 75 pages exclusive of 
the attachments.  Attachments shall include, but are not limited to, the judgment 
and sentence.  The memorandum of law shall set forth the applicable case law 
supporting the granting of relief as to each separately pled claim.  This rule does 
not authorize relief based upon claims that could have or should have been raised 
at trial and, if properly preserved, on direct appeal of the judgment and sentence.  
If claims that were raised on appeal or should have or could have been raised on 
appeal are contained in the motion, the memorandum of law shall contain a brief 
statement explaining why these claims are being raised on postconviction relief.  
The motion shall be under oath and shall include: 
 
(A) 
a statement specifying description of the judgment and sentence 
under attack and the name of the court that rendered the same; 
 
(B) – (E) 
(No Change) 
 
The memorandum of law shall set forth the applicable case law supporting the 
granting of relief as to each separately pled claim.  As to claims that were raised on 
appeal or should have or could have been raised on appeal, the memorandum shall 
contain a brief statement as to why these claims are being raised on postconviction 
relief. 
 
(2) 
(No Change) 
 
(f) 
Procedure; Evidentiary Hearing; Disposition. 
 
(1) 
(No Change) 
 
 
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(2) 
Duty of Clerk.  Upon the filing of a motion for postconviction relief, 
the clerk of the trial court shall immediately forward the motion and file to the 
assigned judge.  A motion filed under this rule shall be immediately delivered to 
the chief judge or the assigned judge along with the court file.
(3) 
Answer. 
 
(A) 
Answer To Initial Motion to the Initial Motion.  Within 60 
days of the filing of an initial motion, the state shall file its answer.  The 
answer and accompanying memorandum of law shall not exceed 75 pages, 
exclusive of attachments and exhibits.  The answer shall address the legal 
insufficiency of any claim in the motion, respond to the allegations of the 
motion, and address any procedural bars.  As to any claims of legal 
insufficiency or procedural bar, the state shall include a short statement of 
any applicable case law. 
 
(B) 
Answer To Successive Motion to a Successive Motion.  
Within 20 days of the filing of a successive motion, the state shall file its 
answer.  The answer shall not exceed 25 pages, exclusive of attachments and 
exhibits.  The answer shall specifically respond to each claim in the motion 
and state the reason(s) that an evidentiary hearing is or is not required. 
(4) 
(No Change) 
 
 
(5) 
Case Management Conference; Evidentiary Hearing. 
 
(A) 
Initial Postconviction Motion.  No later than 90 days after the 
state files its answer to an initial motion, the trial court shall hold a case 
management conference.  At the case management conference, both parties 
shall disclose all documentary exhibits that they intend to offer at the 
evidentiary hearing, provide an exhibit list of all such exhibits, and exchange 
a witness list with the names and addresses of any potential witnesses.  All 
expert witnesses shall be so specifically designated on the witness list, and 
copies of all expert reports shall be attached.  At the case management 
conference, the trial court shall: 
 
(i) – (iii) 
(No Change) 
 
(B) – (D) 
(No Change) 
 
 
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(6) – (7) 
(No Change) 
 
(g) – (h)  
(No Change) 
 
(i) 
Dismissal of Postconviction Proceedings.
 
(1) 
This subdivision applies only when a prisoner seeks both to dismiss 
pending postconviction proceedings and to discharge collateral counsel. 
 
(2) 
If the prisoner files the motion pro se, the Clerk of the Court shall 
serve copies of the motion on counsel of record for both the prisoner and the state.  
Counsel of record may file responses within ten days. 
 
(3) 
The trial judge shall review the motion and the responses and 
schedule a hearing.  The prisoner, collateral counsel, and the state shall be present 
at the hearing. 
 
(4) 
The judge shall examine the prisoner at the hearing and shall hear 
argument of the prisoner, collateral counsel, and the state.  No fewer than two or 
more than three qualified experts shall be appointed to examine the prisoner if the 
judge concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe the prisoner is not 
mentally competent for purposes of this rule.  The experts shall file reports with the 
court setting forth their findings.  Thereafter, the court shall conduct an evidentiary 
hearing and enter an order setting forth findings of competency or incompetency. 
 
(5) 
If the prisoner is found to be incompetent for purposes of this rule, the 
court shall deny the motion without prejudice. 
 
(6) 
If the prisoner is found to be competent for purposes of this rule, the 
court shall conduct a complete (Durocher/Faretta) inquiry to determine whether the 
prisoner knowingly, freely and voluntarily wants to dismiss pending 
postconviction proceedings and discharge collateral counsel. 
 
(7) 
If the court determines that the prisoner has made the decision to 
dismiss pending postconviction proceedings and discharge collateral counsel 
knowingly, freely and voluntarily, the court shall enter an order dismissing all 
pending postconviction proceedings and discharging collateral counsel.  But if the 
court determines that the prisoner has not made the decision to dismiss pending 
postconviction proceedings and discharge collateral counsel knowingly, freely and 
voluntarily, the court shall enter an order denying the motion without prejudice. 
 
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(8) 
If the court grants the motion: 
 
 
(A) 
a copy of the motion, the order, and the transcript of the hearing 
or hearings conducted on the motion shall be forwarded to the Clerk of the 
Supreme Court of Florida within 30 days; and 
 
(B) 
discharged counsel shall, within 10 days after issuance of the 
order, file with the clerk of the circuit court 2 copies of a notice seeking 
review in the Supreme Court of Florida, and shall, within 20 days after the 
filing of the transcript, serve an initial brief.  Both the prisoner and the state 
may serve responsive briefs.  Briefs shall be served as prescribed by rule 
9.210. 
 
(9) 
If the court denies the motion, the prisoner may seek review as 
prescribed by rule 9.142. 
 
Court Commentary 
 
 
1993 Adoption. 
 
(No Change) 
 
 
1996 Amendment. 
(No Change) 
 
 
2001 Amendment. 
(No Change) 
 
2006 Amendment.  The amendments provide for the appointment of 
Registry Counsel in areas of the state that are not served by a Capital Collateral 
Regional Counsel.  Counsel are allowed to appear at status conferences 
electronically to authorize both telephonic and video appearances. 
 
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