FL S7098

Eliminates the limited registry for private counsel willing to accept flat fees as full payment for court-appointed cases.

Establishes the Cross-Circuit Conflict Representation Pilot Program in public defender offices in the Sixth, Ninth, Tenth, and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits and criminal conflict counsel offices in the Second and Fifth Regions to handle conflicts of interest by referring cases across circuits.

Requires participating offices to submit reports to legislative appropriations committees by March 1, 2015, and March 1, 2016, detailing cases transferred, advantages and disadvantages, cost savings, and recommendations.

Increases statutory caps for flat-fee compensation for court-appointed private counsel: noncapital felonies from $2,500 to $6,000, life felonies from $3,000 to $9,000, capital cases from $15,000 to $25,000, and appeals from $2,000 to $9,000.

Expires the pilot program on June 30, 2016, though cases appointed before that date continue until completion, effective July 1, 2014.