Rule 3.850 Motion in Florida
Review Florida rule 3.850 motion procedures, issue-specific records, official sources, and attorney or non-attorney support options.
Identify the Rule 3.850 ground
Florida Rule 3.850 provides a collateral process for qualifying challenges to a noncapital conviction or sentence after trial or plea. Grounds include specified constitutional, jurisdictional, unlawful-sentence and involuntary-plea issues. The motion needs factual support tied to the challenged judgment; it is not an unrestricted repeat of a direct appeal. Death-sentence collateral proceedings instead require attention to Rule 3.851 and its separate framework.
What the procedure asks you to distinguish
The general Rule 3.850 period is two years after the judgment and sentence become final, with specified exceptions. A motion to vacate a sentence exceeding lawful limits has a separate at-any-time provision. The exceptions concerning newly discovered facts, retroactive constitutional rights and retained counsel’s filing neglect have their own requirements and periods. New evidence and alleged missed witness testimony require different supporting facts. The official October 1, 2026 compilation also specifies the oath, procedural history and certifications; an old form should not be assumed current.
Limits and related routes
Separate the requested relief from the evidence needed to support it. A conviction-level claim may involve testimony outside the written judgment; a sentence issue might implicate a different rule; a DNA-testing request follows 3.853. Keep prior motions, appellate orders and the sentencing record available so the history is clear. The directory identifies resources and provider roles, including PCRC’s non-attorney document support, but does not turn an allegation into an established legal violation.
Help with documents and court representation
PCRC is a non-attorney legal support and document-preparation service for pro se clients. Attorney advice and court representation are distinct services. Compare the provider type and written scope before engaging help; a featured directory listing does not establish a right to relief.
Records for this issue
- Judgment and sentence
- Appeal decisions and mandate
- Prior collateral motions and orders
- Ground-specific affidavits, transcript and exhibits
Provider roles for this issue
| Type of help | Typical purpose | Confirm first |
|---|---|---|
| Law firm | Legal advice and court representation | Licensing, case fit, and engagement terms |
| Non-attorney legal support | Document preparation, research, organization | Permitted scope; who signs and files |
| Nonprofit / innocence review | Qualifying case review or legal services | Eligibility, intake, and representation status |
| Official resources | Forms, rules, records, and court contacts | Current version and local requirements |
Listings have no scores or ratings. Listing methodology
Post-Conviction Relief Center (PCRC)
Non-attorney legal support and document preparation for people representing themselves. PCRC operates this directory; services do not include attorney representation.
Law Office of David M. Lamos
Attorney office publishing case and record evaluation services for Florida Rule 3.850 post-conviction relief.
Rier Jordan P.A.
Miami firm publishing Florida Rule 3.850 representation and related criminal appellate services.
Innocence Project of Florida
Provides free legal representation to qualifying innocent prisoners in Florida. Review its case requirements before requesting help.
Florida Criminal Procedure Rules
Current Florida criminal rules published by The Florida Bar, including Rules 3.850, 3.800, and 3.853. Check the listed revision date before using a rule or form.
Florida Association of Legal Document Preparers
Voluntary trade association publishing document-preparer information and proposed business practices. Membership does not establish a member’s post-conviction service scope or authority to provide legal advice.
Related Florida guides
Sources for Rule 3.850 Motion
Common questions
What should be assembled before looking for help?
Bring judgment and sentence, appeal decisions and mandate, prior collateral motions and orders, ground-specific affidavits, transcript and exhibits. Keep previous filings and orders alongside the new materials so the procedural history stays visible.
PCRC offers non-attorney legal support and document preparation for pro se clients.
Updated October 8, 2026. General information; the appropriate filing, deadline, and relief depend on the case. Provider information is based on linked public pages, not a licensing audit.