In Florida, there are minimum standards set for attorneys in capital cases. These standards also apply to public defenders and their assistants. The qualifications for lead counsel are as follows:

· Attorney must have at least five years of litigation experience in the field of criminal law.

· Have prior experience as lead council in at least nine jury trials of serious and complex case tried to completion. Here, the attorney must have been lead or co-counsel in at least two death penalty cses.

· Experienced in the use of expert witnesses including the use of psychiatric and forensic evidence; and

· Attended within two years a continuing legal education program of at least 12 hours devoted to the defense of capital cases.