Bill would prevent PDs and paid private counsel from working together on the same case

Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin

An unusual case in which a judge appointed a public defender to work with a paid private lawyer in a death penalty case has resulted in a legislative bill that would ban such an appointment again.

The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Subcommittee on February 17 passed HB 67, which “does not allow the court to appoint a public defender on a case that already has a private counsel,” said Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin, R-Miami, sponsor of the bill. “And it does not allow the court to appoint them simultaneously.”