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FL S0010
CL
AI Summary
- Appropriates $1.722 million from Florida's General Revenue Fund to compensate Sidney Holmes for 34 years of wrongful incarceration following a 1989 armed robbery conviction that carried a 400-year sentence
- Holmes was exonerated on March 13, 2023, after the Broward County Conviction Review Unit concluded it was highly likely he was misidentified and is factually innocent; the circuit court vacated his judgment and sentence
- Waives tuition and fees for Holmes for up to 120 credit hours at any Florida career center, Florida College System institution, or state university, provided he meets admission requirements and maintains satisfactory academic progress
- Prohibits any funds awarded under the act from being used to pay attorney fees or lobbying fees, and bars Holmes from submitting a separate compensation application under Chapter 961, Florida Statutes (for which his prior felony convictions made him ineligible)
- All unused benefits become void if any future judicial determination finds that Holmes participated in the armed robbery for which he was incarcerated
Legislative Description
Relief of Sidney Holmes by the State of Florida
Last Action
Chapter No. 2025-215
7/8/2025
Committee Referrals
Appropriations4/11/2025
Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice3/20/2025
Judiciary3/14/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available