Monday, August 30, 1999
State of Florida v. Robert Reardon

Nos. 94,291, 94,300, & 94,301

Place of Origin
Palm Beach County

Facts
These consolidated cases involved alleged conflicts of interest arising when the Palm Beach public defender's office represented criminal defendants. Conflicts allegedly arose because the public defender previously had represented witnesses testifying against their present clients. In each case the trial judge found no conflict sufficient to disqualify the public defender from serving as counsel. The Fourth District reversed each time.