Expert Witness Registry

Mental health experts, such as psychiatrists and psychologists, are regularly appointed in criminal and juvenile cases when there is a question as to competency to proceed. Also, when a person is alleged to be incompetent to make his or her own decisions, an examining committee is appointed to examine the person in guardianship proceedings. There are other situations where experts are appointed but they are less common.

Introduction to Rates, Policies and Procedures

In compliance with the Supreme Court of Florida's administrative order No. AOSC18-17, titled: Adoption of Amended Expert Witness Rate Structure Chart for Court Appointed Expert Witness Services in Florida’s Trial Courts, the following rates, policies, and procedures are made effective within the Twentieth Judicial Circuit (Twentieth):

Expert Witness Registry
Court appointed expert witnesses must be selected from a registry as maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts, as posted on this page.

Expert Witness Application
Applications to be admitted to the registry are posted on this page; expert witnesses may not be appointed as forensic evaluators within the Twentieth unless named on the registry. All registry applicants must have expertise that meets statewide requirements.

Appointments within Adult and Juvenile Competency Proceedings
The Court will initially appoint one expert for the evaluation in standard adult competency and standard juvenile competency proceedings.

Expert Witness Rate Structure
Court appointed expert witnesses must be compensated according to the statewide rate structure.

Submitting Concerns and Complaints
Any person may report a concern or complaint about the conduct of an expert witness via the form posted on this page.

DOWNLOADS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Department of Court Innovation & Program Analysis
Phone: (239) 533-1719
Fax: (239) 533-1796
efishbeck@ca.cjis20.org

APPLICATION ADDRESS

Chief Judge J. Frank Porter
Twentieth Judicial Circuit
1700 Monroe Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901