By a vote of 4 – 3, the Florida Supreme Court has set aside an October 1st deadline for inmates to request DNA testing of evidence that could prove their innocence. The justices suspended the deadline while they consider the inmates’ challenge to the rule’s constitutionality. Arguments in the case are slated for November 7, 2003. According to the law that established the deadline, if inmates convicted prior to 2001 fail to file for testing before October 1, 2003, DNA evidence in their cases may be destroyed. (Associated Press, September 30, 2003) Read the Court Order. See Innocence.
Citation Guide
- Death Penalty Information Center (2025, March 14). Florida Supreme Court Suspends DNA Deadline. Retrieved October 27, 2026, from https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/florida-supreme-court-suspends-dna-deadline
- Death Penalty Information Center. “Florida Supreme Court Suspends DNA Deadline.” Last modified March 14, 2025. Accessed October 27, 2026. https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/florida-supreme-court-suspends-dna-deadline.
- Death Penalty Information Center. “Florida Supreme Court Suspends DNA Deadline.” Death Penalty Information Center, 14 Mar. 2025, https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/florida-supreme-court-suspends-dna-deadline. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.