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In the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit
in and for DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties, Florida

Administrative Order No: 2025–06.3

(Supersedes AOs 1997–05.3 & 1997–10.3)

In Re:

Application for Appointment
of Public Defender and
Indigency Application Fee

On March 4, 1997, this court entered Administrative Orders 1997-05.3 and 1997-10.3, establishing the application fee for persons seeking the services of the Office of the Public Defender and directing the Clerk of the Circuit Court to collect and transfer such fees to the Indigent Criminal Defense Fund. Statutory changes require amendment of these Administrative Orders.

Therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in the Chief Judge by article V, section 2(d) of the Florida Constitution, section 42.26, Florida Statutes, and Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration, it is, accordingly, ordered as follows:

  1. Administrative Orders 1997-05.3 and 1997-10.3 are hereby superseded.
  2. Pursuant to § 27.52(1)(b), Fla. Stat. (2024), any person applying for the services of the Office of the Public Defender shall pay a $50.00 application fee to the clerk for each application for court-appointed counsel filed. The applicant shall pay the fee within seven (7) days after submitting the application. If the applicant does not pay the fee prior to the disposition of the case, the clerk shall notify the court, and the court shall:
    1. Assess the application fee as part of the sentence or as a condition of probation; or
    2. Assess the application fee pursuant to section 938.29 of the Florida Statutes.
  3. Any accused person who challenges a judgment of conviction and sentence and thereafter seeks the appointment of the Office of the Public Defender, and who was not represented by the Office of the Public Defender at trial, shall pay the $50.00 application fee. The Court may waive all or part of the fee at the time the application is filed.
  4. The Clerks of the Circuit Court in and for DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties shall collect indigency application fees and transfer such fees to the Indigent Criminal Defense Trust Fund as provided by § 27.52(1)(d), Fla. Stat. (2024).
  5. This Administrative Order is effective immediately.

Done and ordered in Bradenton, Manatee County, this 20 day of May, 2025.

Diana L. Moreland
Chief Judge

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