Being reimbursed for legal fees

[ClassicSWC]

Hey gang, been lurking here for a little while and decided to join.

Saw something on the news about George Zimmerman seeking to have his legal expenses reimbursed. Does Pennsylvania have a similar law? What would a persons recourse be if one were aquitted?

[Curmudgeon]

You get to not go to prison.

[Rblakely]

You get to not go to prison.

And a copy of the home game

[iamtommyboy]

I do not know about PA laws, but Zimmerman will not be receiving all of his legal fees. The law in FL allows for the reimbursement of legal experts and other such research type fees, but not attorney fees, which is usually the bulk of the cost.

[Curmudgeon]

I do not know about PA laws, but Zimmerman will not be receiving all of his legal fees. The law in FL allows for the reimbursement of legal experts and other such research type fees, but not attorney fees, which is usually the bulk of the cost.

Source? I thought I remembered reading that Florida had a maximum dollar amount, but I don't recall reading that it couldn't be used for attorney's fees.

EDIT: I found a NY Post article that agrees with you. I'm still poking around for a statute.
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[iamtommyboy]

I happen to be in Orlando right now on vacation, saw it on the local news. His attorneys are filing for $200,000-$300,000. I will look and see what I can dig up.

[iamtommyboy]

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/...trayvon-martin

According to this article http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/08...pay-legal-fees the statute that this falls under is here http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/...s/0939.06.html or here http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/939.06.

[Curmudgeon]

Yep, and see my edit above. Looks like the jist of it is in here somewhere...

939.06 Acquitted defendant not liable for costs.—(1) A defendant in a criminal prosecution who is acquitted or discharged is not liable for any costs or fees of the court or any ministerial office, or for any charge of subsistence while detained in custody. If the defendant has paid any taxable costs, or fees required under s. 27.52(1)(b), in the case, the clerk or judge shall give him or her a certificate of the payment of such costs, with the items thereof, which, when audited and approved according to law, shall be refunded to the defendant.
(2) To receive a refund under this section, a defendant must submit a request for the refund to the Justice Administrative Commission on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commission. The defendant must attach to the form an order from the court demonstrating the defendant’s right to the refund and the amount of the refund.
History.—s. 3, ch. 76, 1846; RS 2988; GS 4062; RGS 6166; CGL 8480; s. 44, ch. 73-334; s. 1590, ch. 97-102; s. 131, ch. 2003-402; s. 62, ch. 2005-236.

From the way it is worded it doesn't specifically exclude attorney's fees per se, but rather excludes them by failing to include attorney's fees in the list of reimbursable expenses/costs. If that makes any sense. Yes, I'm splitting hairs.

That really takes the fun out of this reimbursement. Thanks for the research. rep sent.
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[ClassicSWC]

Apparently that only applies to Florida? What if a person was held without bail and was in jail until the trial?

[Curmudgeon]

Apparently that only applies to Florida? What if a person was held without bail and was in jail until the trial?

OK, what if? What are you asking? Are you asking if a person is PA is charged with a crime, and is acquitted, do they have any legal recourse? Is that the question?

I am not aware of any such remedy(s), but I am not a lawyer. I'm thinking any remedy would have to pertain to some serious ethics violations on the part of the prosecution.

Be careful out there.