Title: In Re: Amendments To Florida Rule Of Criminal Procedure 3.853(D)
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: SC05-1702
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: August 31, 2006

Supreme Court of Florida 
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 
 
 
CASE NO.:  SC05-1702 
 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA RULE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 
              3.853(D) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Florida Bar Criminal Procedure Rules Committee (Committee) has 
submitted to the Court a report recommending that the Court adopt an emergency 
amendment to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.853, Motion For 
Postconviction DNA Testing, eliminating the subdivision (d)(1) time limitations 
for filing a motion for postconviction DNA testing.  In order to allow the Court 
sufficient time to consider the Committee's report and to seek and consider 
comments concerning the proposed amendment, the Court amends, on an interim 
basis, rule 3.853(d)(1) as follows: 
 
(d) 
Time Limitations.  
 
 
(1) 
The motion for postconviction DNA testing must be filed: 
 
 
 
 
(A) 
Within 4 years following the date that the judgment and 
sentence in the case became final if no direct appeal was taken; within 4 years 
following the date the conviction was affirmed on direct appeal if an appeal was 
taken; within 4 years following the date collateral counsel was appointed or 
retained subsequent to the conviction being affirmed on direct appeal in a capital 
case in which the death penalty was imposed; or by October 1, 2005July 1, 2006, 
whichever occurs later; or 
 
 
 
 
(B) 
At any time, if the facts on which the petition is 
predicated were unknown to the petitioner or the movant's attorney and could not 
have been ascertained by the exercise of due diligence. 
New language is indicated by underscoring; deletions are indicated by struck-
through type.  The interim amendment shall become effective immediately upon 
the release of this order.   
 
The Court invites all interested persons to comment on the Committee's 
proposed amendment, which is reproduced online at 
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/decisions/proposed.shtml.  An original and 
nine paper copies of all comments must be filed with the Court on or before 
November 15, 2005, with a certificate of service verifying that a copy has been 
served on the committee chair, George E. Tragos, 600 Cleveland Street, Suite 700, 
Clearwater, Florida 33755, as well as a separate request for oral argument if the 
person filing the comment wishes to participate in oral argument, which may be 
scheduled in this case.  Electronic copies of all comments also must be filed in 
accordance with the Court's Administrative Order In Re: Mandatory Submission of 
Electronic Copies of Documents, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC04-84 (Sept. 13, 
2004). 
 
 
A True Copy 
Test: 
 
 
 
 
 
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jn 
Served:  
 
GEORGE E. TRAGOS 
BENJAMIN H. HILL, III 
J. CRAIG SHAW 
JOHN F. HARKNESS, JR. 
JOHN R. BLUE 
SYLVIA H. WALBOLT 
NANCY H. HENRY 
CHRISTOPHER J. KAISER 
CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL KISE 
L. CLAYTON ROBERTS 
 
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