(1) When a person is sentenced to death, the clerk of the court shall prepare a certified copy of the record of the conviction and sentence, and the sheriff shall send the record to the Governor and the clerk of the Florida Supreme Court.
(2)(a) The clerk of the Florida Supreme Court shall inform the Governor in writing certifying that a person convicted and sentenced to death, before or after the effective date of the act, has:

1. Completed such person’s direct appeal and initial postconviction proceeding in state court and habeas corpus proceeding and appeal therefrom in federal court; or
2. Allowed the time permitted for filing a habeas corpus petition in federal court to expire.
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Terms Used In Florida Statutes 922.052

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
  • writing: includes handwriting, printing, typewriting, and all other methods and means of forming letters and characters upon paper, stone, wood, or other materials. See Florida Statutes 1.01
(b) Within 30 days after receiving the letter of certification from the clerk of the Florida Supreme Court, the Governor shall issue a warrant for execution if the executive clemency process has concluded, directing the warden to execute the sentence within 180 days, at a time designated in the warrant.
(c) If, in the Governor’s sole discretion, the clerk of the Florida Supreme Court has not complied with the provisions of paragraph (a) with respect to any person sentenced to death, the Governor may sign a warrant of execution for such person where the executive clemency process has concluded.
(3) The sentence shall not be executed until the Governor issues a warrant, attaches it to the copy of the record, and transmits it to the warden, directing the warden to execute the sentence at a time designated in the warrant.
(4) If, for any reason, the sentence is not executed during the week designated, the warrant shall remain in full force and effect and the sentence shall be carried out as provided in s. 922.06.