FL S0262

Creates the Statewide Council on Prosecutorial Misconduct within the Department of Legal Affairs to review complaints and investigate allegations of prosecutorial misconduct by state attorneys and assistant state attorneys.

Council membership consists of 11 members: 4 prosecutors, 4 public defenders or assistant public defenders, 1 district court of appeal judge, and 2 county or circuit court judges, appointed by the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House.

Members serve 4-year terms with staggered initial terms (4 years for Governor appointees, 3 years for Senate appointees, 2 years for House appointees), and the council elects a chair every 2 years.

Council must meet at least quarterly and submit written findings and recommendations to the Department of Lawyer Regulation within The Florida Bar and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court following each investigation.

Council shall submit an annual report to the Governor, Legislature, and Chief Justice by January 14 each year summarizing recommendations and findings from the previous calendar year.