MONROE v. STATE (2018)

On Remand from the Florida Supreme Court

This case is on remand from the Florida Supreme Court which quashed our prior decision in this case and directed reconsideration of this case in view of its recent decision in Andrews v. State, 243 So.3d 899 (Fla. 2018).

In Andrews, the Florida Supreme Court held that an indigent defendant who is represented by private counsel proceeding pro bono is “entitled to file motions pertaining to the appointment and costs of experts, mitigation specialists, and investigators ex parte and under seal, with service to the Justice Administrative Commission and notice to the State Attorney's Office, and to have any hearing on such motion ex parte, with only the defendant and the Commission present.” Id. at 902.

Accordingly, the petition for a writ of certiorari is granted. This cause is remanded to the trial court with the directions that Petitioner Monroe be allowed to file motions for appointment of experts and for approval of costs ex parte and under seal with service to the Justice Administration and notice of such filings to the Office of the Attorney General and that any hearing on an ex parte motion be heard with only the Petitioner and the Commission in attendance.

Petition granted, and the cause remanded with directions.

Per Curiam.

Lewis, Roberts, and Bilbrey, JJ., concur.