In re Amendment to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration-Minimum Standards for Appointed Counsel in Capital Cases

This matter is béfore the Court on a proposed rule concerning the competency and qualifications of counsel appointed to represent indigent defendants in capital cases where the services of the public defender are not available because of a conflict of interest. We have jurisdiction pursuant to article V, section 2(a) of the Florida Constitution. For the reasons expressed below, we decline to rule on this matter at this time.

We recognize that other states have adopted minimum standards for counsel in capital cases. See, e.g., Ind. R.Crim. P. 24; Ohio Sup. R. 20; Va.Code Ann. § 19.2-163.8(E)…