IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR PASCO AND PINELLAS COUNTIES, FLORIDA

 

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2007-085 PA/PI-CIR

 

Printer friendly verison

 

 

RE:     COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY REGISTRY

 

Since July 1, 2004, the Sixth Judicial Circuit Article V Indigent Services Committee has been responsible for the compilation and maintenance of the Registry of court appointed attorneys available for appointment in conflict cases.  Effective October 1, 2007, the authority for the Indigent Services Committees is repealed by Chapter 2007-062 Laws of Florida.  On that date, section 27.40 Florida Statutes as amended by Chapter 2007-062 Laws of Florida, requires the Chief Judge to compile a list of attorneys in private practice to be appointed by the court when the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel (Regional Counsel) is unable to provide representation due to a conflict of interest.  The list of attorneys, or “Registry,” is to be separated by county and by category of cases and maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court.

 

On May 10, 2007, the Sixth Judicial Circuit Article V Indigent Services Committee approved the Registry of attorneys for use in conflict cases through September 2007.  The approved attorneys that subsequently entered into a contract with the Justice Administrative Commission constituted the Registry.   See Administrative Order No. 2007-068 PA/PI-CIR. 

   

Pursuant to Rule of Judicial Administration 2.215, the Chief Judge has the authority to adopt administrative orders necessary to ensure the operation of the court system. 

 

In order to provide for the orderly appointment of court appointed counsel in the Sixth Judicial Circuit beginning October 1, 2007, it is therefore:

 

ORDERED:

 

1.  Attorneys approved by the Sixth Judicial Circuit Article V Indigent Services Committee on May 10, 2007, and who entered a contract with the Justice Administrative Commission as of August 28, 2007, constitute the Registry of court appointed attorneys for appointments.  The attorneys are assigned within the Registry to particular categories of cases based on the attorney’s qualifications as demonstrated by prior application to the Indigent Services Committee, and the attorney’s service and geographic preferences. 

 

2.  The Clerk of Circuit Court for Pasco County and the Clerk of Circuit Court for Pinellas County will serve as the points of contact for and maintain the Registry of attorneys within the particular categories of cases as provided by the Chief Judge.  The Clerk will provide the name of the next attorney to the Public Defender, Regional Counsel, court appointed attorneys, or the Court when requested.  As part of maintaining the Registry, the Clerk will track the number and types of appointments made and the Clerk is encouraged to calculate the approximate amounts encumbered as future payments to court appointed attorneys.  The Clerk of Circuit Court for Pasco County and the Clerk of Circuit Court for Pinellas County are directed to work together towards maintaining one database of Registry attorneys.  Until one database of Registry attorneys is established by the Clerks, the Clerk of Circuit Court for Pinellas County will maintain the Registry for all circuit-wide categories of cases.  

 

3.  Each Registry attorney is responsible for notifying the Clerk(s) of Circuit Court and the Justice Administrative Commission of any change in his or her status.  The point of contact for the Clerk of Circuit Court for Pasco County is: 

 

Court Services Department        

·        Bobbie George                   727-847-2411 ext. 8269

·        Kelly Gray                          352-521-4274 ext. 4495

·        Jason Geiger                       352-521-4274 ext. 4956

 

Clerk of the Circuit Court

West Pasco Judicial Center
7530 Little Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654

 

The point of contact for the Clerk of Circuit Court for Pinellas County is:

 

Court Assistance Department

·        Christine Beach, Manager     727-464-7922

·        Rod Tabler, Assistant Manager       727-464-7157

 

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Criminal Justice Center
14250
49th Street North
Clearwater, FL 33762
 

 

4.  This Administrative Order is effective October 1, 2007.  At that time, the following Administrative Orders are rescinded:  No. 2005-044 (Court Appointed Attorneys Contracting with the Justice Administrative Commission); and No. 2006-012 PA/PI-CIR (Local Indigent Services Committee Reappointment of Members).  Except to the extent that it may conflict with this Administrative Order or general law, Administrative Order No. 2004-028 PA/PI-CIR (Court Appointed Attorney Standards and Compensation) remains in full force and effect.      

 

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida, this _______ day of September 2007.

           

                                                                                    ___________________________________

                                                                                    Robert J. Morris, Jr., Chief Judge

 

cc:      All Judges

           The Honorable Bernie McCabe, State Attorney

           The Honorable Bob Dillinger, Public Defender

           The Honorable Jed Pittman, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Pasco County

           The Honorable Ken Burke, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Pinellas County

           The Honorable Jackson Flyte, Regional Counsel

           Gay Inskeep, Trial Courts Administrator

           Carol Heath, Executive Director, Pinellas County Clerk’s Office

           Debbie Gay, Assistant Court Services Director Pasco County Clerk’s Office

           Sixth Judicial Circuit Registry Attorneys

           Bar Associations, Pasco and Pinellas

           Law Libraries, Pasco and Pinellas