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2003 Florida Code
TITLE XXIX PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter 394 MENTAL HEALTH  
PART I FLORIDA MENTAL HEALTH ACT (ss. 394.451-394.4789)
394.473   Attorney's fee; expert witness fee.

1394.473  Attorney's fee; expert witness fee.--

(1)  In case of indigency of any person for whom an attorney is appointed pursuant to the provisions of this part, the attorney shall be entitled to a reasonable fee to be determined by the court and paid from the general fund of the county from which the patient was involuntarily detained. In case of indigency of any such person, the court may appoint a public defender. The public defender shall receive no additional compensation other than that usually paid his or her office.

(2)  In case of indigency of any person for whom expert testimony is required in a court hearing pursuant to the provisions of this act, the expert, except one who is classified as a full-time employee of the state or who is receiving remuneration from the state for his or her time in attendance at the hearing, shall be entitled to a reasonable fee to be determined by the court and paid from the general fund of the county from which the patient was involuntarily detained.

History.--s. 13, ch. 71-131; s. 10, ch. 73-133; s. 25, ch. 73-334; s. 12, ch. 79-298; s. 3, ch. 82-176; s. 14, ch. 82-212; s. 713, ch. 95-148; s. 107, ch. 2003-402.

1Note.--Section 107, ch. 2003-402, amended s. 394.473, effective July 1, 2004, to read:

394.473  Attorney's fee; expert witness fee.--

(1)  In case of the indigence of any person for whom an attorney is appointed pursuant to the provisions of this part, the attorney shall be entitled to a reasonable fee to be determined by the court and paid from the general fund of the county from which the patient was involuntarily detained. In case of the indigence of any such person, the court may appoint a public defender. The public defender shall receive no additional compensation other than that usually paid his or her office.

(2)  In case of the indigence of any person for whom expert testimony is required in a court hearing pursuant to the provisions of this act, the expert, except one who is classified as a full-time employee of the state or who is receiving remuneration from the state for his or her time in attendance at the hearing, shall be entitled to a reasonable fee to be determined by the court and paid from the general fund of the county from which the patient was involuntarily detained.

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