IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA RULE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 3.720 AND FLORIDA RULE OF JUVENILE PROCEDURE 8.115. (2022)

This matter is before the Court for consideration of proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. See Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.140(e) - (f). We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.

In case number SC21-1680, The Florida Bar's Criminal Procedure Rules Committee (CrimPRC) and Juvenile Court Rules Committee (JCRC) filed a joint report proposing amendments to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.720 (Sentencing Hearing) and Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.115 (Disposition Hearing). The Board of Governors of The Florida Bar unanimously approved the joint proposal. The Court published the proposal for comment in The Florida Bar News, one comment was received, and the committees filed a joint response.

In case number SC22-214, the CrimPRC filed a report proposing additional amendments to rule 3.720 that are unrelated to case number SC21-1680. The Board of Governors of The Florida Bar unanimously approved the Committee's proposal. The CrimPRC and the Court published the proposal in The Florida Bar News, and no comments were received. To avoid confusion associated with amending the same rule twice in close succession, we consolidate these two cases.

Having considered both reports, the comment, and the joint response, the Court hereby adopts the amendments as proposed by the committees in both cases. The more significant amendments are discussed below.

First, as to case number SC21-1680, new subdivision (e) is added to rule 3.720 and new subdivision (f) is added to rule 8.115. The new subdivisions mirror each other and direct the court to determine restitution at the sentencing or disposition hearing if applicable, dictate that the amount and method of determining restitution is as provided by law, and designate who should receive a copy of the restitution order.

Next, as to case number SC22-214, the language of rule 3.720(d) is amended to clarify that the court must provide notice and a hearing when it assesses fees and costs against an indigent defendant who received the assistance of an appointed attorney only when the amount exceeds the statutory minimum. This amendment is intended to align the rule with section 938.29, Florida Statutes (2021). See State v. J.A.R., 318 So. 3d 1256 (Fla. 2021) (finding that “the trial court was not required to provide notice and hearing” to a defendant when it imposed the statutory minimum fee under section 938.29(1)(a)).

Accordingly, we amend the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure as reflected in the appendix to this opinion. New language is indicated by underscoring; deletions are indicated by struck-through type. The amendments shall become effective immediately.

It is so ordered.

APPENDIX

RULE 3.720. SENTENCING HEARING

As soon as practicable after the determination of guilt and after the examination of any presentence reports, the sentencing court shall order a sentencing hearing. At the hearing:

(a) – (c) [No Change]

(d)(1)If the accused was represented by a public defender or other court appointed counsel, the court shall notify the accused of the imposition of a lienThe court must address imposition of fees and costs pursuant to section 938.29, Florida Statutes. The amount of the lien shall be given and a jJudgment must be entered against the defendant in that the amount of such fees and costs imposedagainst the accused. The court must give notice of, and afford the defendant an opportunity to contest, any amounts exceeding the statutory minimum.Notice of the accused's right to a hearing to contest the amount of the lien shall be given at the time of sentence.

(2) If the accuseddefendant requests a hearing to contest the amount of the lienfees and costs exceeding the statutory minimum, the court shallmust set a hearing date within 30 days of the date of sentencing.

(e) At the sentencing hearing, the court must make a determination if restitution is applicable. The amount and method of restitution is to be determined as provided by law. Copies of the restitution order shall be provided to the defendant, attorney for the defendant, state attorney, and victim.

Committee Notes

[No Change]

RULE 8.115. DISPOSITION HEARING

(a) – (e) [No Change]

(f) Restitution. At the disposition hearing, the court must make a determination if restitution is applicable. The amount and method of restitution is to be determined as provided by law. Copies of the restitution order shall be provided to the child, parent or guardian of the child, attorney for the child, state attorney, victim, and department representative.

Committee Notes

[No Change]

PER CURIAM.

MUÑIZ, C.J., and CANADY, POLSTON, LABARGA, LAWSON, COURIEL, and GROSSHANS, JJ., concur.