# Fla. Stat. § 27.703: 27.703 Conflict of interest and substitute counsel

> Florida · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.703

## Section

- **Citation:** Fla. Stat. § 27.703
- **Heading:** 27.703 Conflict of interest and substitute counsel
- **Jurisdiction:** Florida
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Florida Code / Title V / Chapter 27 / Part IV / Section 27.703

## Text

(1) The capital collateral regional counsel shall not accept an appointment or take any other action that will create an actual conflict of interest. If, at any time during the representation of a person, the capital collateral regional counsel alleges that the continued representation of that person creates an actual conflict of interest, the sentencing court shall, upon determining that an actual conflict exists, designate another regional counsel. If the replacement regional counsel alleges that an actual conflict of interest exists, the sentencing court shall, upon determining that an actual conflict exists, appoint one or more members of The Florida Bar who meet the requirements of s. 27.704(2) and who are not disqualified pursuant to s. 27.7045 to represent the person. An actual conflict of interest exists when an attorney actively represents conflicting interests. A possible, speculative, or merely hypothetical conflict is insufficient to support an allegation that an actual conflict of interest exists.

(2) Appointed counsel shall be paid from funds appropriated to the Justice Administrative Commission. The hourly rate may not exceed $100. However, all appointments of private counsel under this section shall be in accordance with ss. 27.710 and 27.711.

(3) Capital collateral regional counsel appointed pursuant to this section must have participated in at least five felony jury trials, five felony appeals, or five capital postconviction evidentiary hearings, or any combination of at least five of such proceedings, and must not be disqualified pursuant to s. 27.7045.

History: s. 3, ch. 85-332; s. 147, ch. 95-147; s. 3, ch. 96-290; s. 3, ch. 97-313; s. 2, ch. 99-221; s. 13, ch. 2000-3; s. 86, ch. 2003-261; s. 5, ch. 2013-216; s. 3, ch. 2024-153.

## Nearby sections

- [Fla. Stat. § 27.701 27.701 Capital collateral regional counsel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.701.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.702 27.702 Duties of the capital collateral regional counsel; reports.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.702.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.703 27.703 Conflict of interest and substitute counsel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.703.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.704 27.704 Appointment of assistants and other staff.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.704.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.705 27.705 Salaries of capital collateral regional counsel and assistant capital collateral counsel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.705.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.706 27.706 Private practice of law prohibited.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.706.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.707 27.707 Investigators; service of process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.707.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.708 27.708 Access to prisoners; compliance with the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure; records requests.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.708.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.710 27.710 Registry of attorneys applying to represent persons in postconviction capital collateral proceedings; certification of minimum requirements; appointment by trial court.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.710.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.711 27.711 Terms and conditions of appointment of attorneys as counsel in postconviction capital collateral proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.711.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.715 27.715 Capital Collateral Regional Counsel Trust Fund.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.715.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.7001 27.7001 Legislative intent and findings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.7001.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.7002 27.7002 Limitation on collateral representation; lawyer disqualification; use of state funds for excess fees not authorized.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.7002.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 27.7045 27.7045 Capital case proceedings; constitutionally deficient representation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.7045.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TV_C27_PIV_S27.703. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.