Chief Judge's Registry of Attorneys for Court Appointments

Limited Registry and General Registry

Effective July 1, 2012, the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, in accordance with the Chapter 2012-123, Laws of Florida, amendments to § 27.40, Fla. Stat., has established a new General Registry of attorneys in private practice available to accept court appointments. By design, this new General Registry has addressed the change in the law that now requires that each registry attorney make new statutory certifications.

In addition to the new certification requirements, the new law also provides that "the chief judge may establish limited registries that include only those attorneys willing to waive compensation in excess of the flat fee prescribed in §27.5304, notwithstanding the provisions of §27.5304(12)" except for RICO and capital cases. The chief judge has determined that it is in the best interest of our Circuit to establish a new Limited Registry of attorneys for court appointments. Following the new statute, each of the Circuit's five Clerks of Court will make appointments on a rotating basis in the same manner as under the former registry; however, the Clerks will first be required to appoint attorneys from the new Limited Registry. If there are no attorneys available to accept appointment on the new Limited Registry, then the Clerks will appoint from the new General Registry.

To be considered for placement on either Registry, applicants must complete and submit an application. The application must be returned to the chief judge. The new Limited Registry application and new General Registry application address the change in the law that now require each applicant to certify:

[1] that they meet the minimum requirements established by the chief judge and established in general law for each registry category,
[2] that they are available to represent indigent defendants in cases requiring court appointment of private counsel,
[3] that they are willing to abide by the terms of the Justice Administrative Commission's contract for services, and
[4] that they are willing to accept as full payment the flat fees prescribed in s. 27.5304, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 27.5304(12), except for cases brought under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and capital cases as defined in s. 27.5304(5)(a)4.

APPLICATIONS

If you are interested in being considered for appointment to the limited court-appointed attorney registry in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, please submit applications to:

Chief Judge Jay B. Rosman
Twentieth Judicial Circuit
1700 Monroe Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901

CORRESPONDENCE AND QUESTIONS

All general correspondence and questions regarding court appointed attorney registries should be directed to:

Department of Court Innovation and Program Analysis
Phone: (239) 533-1719
Fax: (239) 533-1701
Email: