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The Florida Complaint form serves as a crucial tool for individuals seeking to address grievances against attorneys in the state. This form is designed to streamline the process of filing a complaint with The Florida Bar, ensuring that all necessary information is collected efficiently. It consists of several key sections, starting with the complainant's information, where you will provide your name, contact details, and any relevant reference numbers. The next part focuses on the attorney in question, requiring specific details to accurately identify them. Following this, you will need to outline the facts and allegations that form the basis of your complaint, detailing events in chronological order and attaching any supporting documents. Witness information can also be included, although complaints can still be considered without witnesses. Finally, the form must be signed, affirming that the information provided is true under penalty of perjury. Adhering to the guidelines for submission is vital, as improper completion may lead to delays or rejection of your complaint.
Documents used along the form
When filing a complaint with The Florida Bar, several additional forms and documents may be required to support your case. Each of these documents serves a specific purpose and helps ensure that your complaint is processed efficiently. Below is a list of commonly used forms and documents that accompany the Florida Complaint form.
- Affidavit of Service: This document confirms that the complaint has been properly served to the attorney in question. It provides proof that the attorney has been notified of the allegations against them.
- Exhibits: These are supplementary documents that provide evidence related to your complaint. You should label each exhibit clearly and reference them in your complaint for clarity.
- Witness List: If you have witnesses who can support your claims, this list should include their names, contact information, and a brief description of what they can testify about. This helps the Bar understand the context of your complaint better.
- Prior Correspondence: Any letters or emails exchanged with the attorney regarding your concerns can be included. This helps establish a timeline and context for your complaint.
- Legal Representation Agreement: If you had a formal agreement with the attorney, providing a copy can clarify the nature of your relationship and the expectations set forth.
- Documentation of Damages: If your complaint involves financial loss or harm, include documents that support your claims, such as invoices, receipts, or bank statements.
- Request for Confidentiality: If your complaint involves sensitive information, you may need to submit a request to keep certain details confidential. This is particularly relevant for personal or financial information.
- Supplemental Complaint Form: If you need to add more details after your initial submission, this form allows you to provide additional information without starting the process over.
- Cover Letter: While not always necessary, a cover letter can summarize your complaint and clarify what you are seeking from The Florida Bar. It sets a professional tone for your submission.
Each of these documents plays a vital role in the complaint process. Ensuring that you include the appropriate forms and supporting materials can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Take the time to prepare your submission thoroughly, as this will help facilitate a smoother review process.
Similar forms
The Florida Complaint form shares similarities with the Grievance Form used in many professional licensing boards. Both documents serve to collect information about complaints against licensed professionals, whether they are attorneys or other types of practitioners. Each form requires the complainant to provide personal information, details about the individual being complained against, and a clear account of the allegations. The structure of both forms emphasizes the importance of factual details and supporting evidence, ensuring that the review process is thorough and fair.
Another document that resembles the Florida Complaint form is the Consumer Complaint Form used by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Like the Florida Complaint form, the BBB’s version aims to gather specific information from consumers regarding their grievances. Both forms request the complainant’s contact information and details about the business or individual involved. They also emphasize the need for a clear narrative of events, which aids in the resolution process. This commonality helps streamline investigations and ensures that complaints are handled appropriately.
The Florida Complaint form is also similar to the Employment Discrimination Complaint Form used by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Both documents allow individuals to report grievances regarding professional conduct—specifically, misconduct by attorneys in the case of the Florida form, and discrimination in employment for the EEOC form. Each requires a detailed account of the events leading to the complaint, including relevant dates and any witnesses. This structured approach helps both organizations assess the validity of claims and take appropriate action.
Lastly, the Florida Complaint form is akin to the Medical Malpractice Complaint Form used by state medical boards. Both forms are designed to address complaints against licensed professionals within their respective fields. They require complainants to provide their personal information, details about the professional in question, and a comprehensive description of the allegations. The focus on factual accuracy and the inclusion of supporting documentation is crucial in both forms, as it aids in the investigation and potential disciplinary actions that may follow.
Obtain Answers on Florida Complaint
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What is the purpose of the Florida Complaint form?
The Florida Complaint form is designed for individuals to report grievances against attorneys who may have violated professional conduct rules. It allows the Florida Bar to assess the allegations and determine if disciplinary action is warranted. The form serves as a formal mechanism for addressing concerns about attorney misconduct.
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What information do I need to provide on the form?
When filling out the form, you must include your personal information such as your name, address, phone number, and email. Additionally, you need to provide details about the attorney in question, including their name and address. A description of your complaint, including specific facts and any supporting evidence, is also required. If there are witnesses, their information should be included as well.
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Can I submit documents along with my complaint?
Yes, you can submit documents to support your complaint, but there are guidelines to follow. You may include up to 25 pages, including the complaint form itself. Photocopies of relevant documents are acceptable, but you should not send original documents, as they will not be returned. It is advisable to label your attachments clearly and reference them in your complaint description.
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What happens if my complaint is closed?
If the Florida Bar decides to close your inquiry or complaint, you will receive a written explanation detailing the reasons for this decision. It is important to note that there is no right to appeal a decision not to pursue an investigation. The Florida Bar will communicate its findings to you in a clear manner.
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Are there any restrictions on what I can include in my complaint?
Yes, there are restrictions regarding confidential or privileged information. Documents submitted become public records, so you should redact sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, medical records, and details involving minors. If such information is crucial for your complaint, describe it and indicate that it is available upon request.
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How do I submit the Florida Complaint form?
To submit your complaint, print and complete the form, then send the original document via U.S. Mail to the Florida Bar at the address provided. Photocopies of your signature are not accepted. Ensure that your submission adheres to the guidelines to avoid delays in processing.
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The Florida Bar
651 E. Jefferson Street
Tallahassee, Florida
Toll Free
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS YOU MUST READ PRIOR TO FILLING OUT THE INQUIRY/COMPLAINT
FORM
Please read all instructions carefully before completing the inquiry/complaint form. If the form is not properly completed it may be returned for correction. You may submit up to 25 pages including the inquiry/complaint form. If you have not already done so, you should contact the Attorney/Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP) at the above toll free number, to see if they can help resolve the matter about which you wish to complain. Please print or type in black ink only.
PLEASE NOTE: The Florida Bar cannot intervene on your behalf in a civil or criminal case, nor can we give you legal advice. We do not have jurisdiction to consider complaints against judges and many elected officials. Our lawyer regulation department considers whether an attorney has violated our rules of conduct and determines whether, under the totality of the circumstances, the attorney should receive some type of discipline. The level of investigation varies depending on the complexity of the allegations. If your inquiry/complaint is closed, you will receive a written explanation of the reasons why. There is no right to appeal a decision not to pursue an investigation.
PART ONE – Complainant Information. You must give your name, address and phone number. If you have an email address, please provide that information as well. If you have already contacted ACAP, please indicate your ACAP reference number in the space provided. If you have previously filed a complaint with our office against a member of The Florida Bar, please indicate how many complaints you have filed. If your inquiry/complaint pertains to a matter currently in litigation, please indicate that in the space provided.
PART TWO – Attorney Information. You must give the name, address and phone number of the subject attorney. The address of the attorney is particularly important as many lawyers have the same or similar names. List only one attorney per form (you may copy this form if you need additional copies). The Florida Bar processes inquiry/complaint forms only against individual attorneys, not against law firms.
PART THREE – Facts/Allegations. Describe each thing about which you are complaining. Recite all of the details, in chronological order, supplying dates where possible. Please number any additional pages you attach. If you have letters, documents or other evidence, you should attach photocopies (DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS). It is helpful if you mark your attachments as exhibits (A, B, C, etc.), and refer to them in your description of your complaint. Please be aware that simply alleging conclusions without setting out facts that support those conclusions will result in the need for the Bar to ask you for additional information and may delay a disposition of your complaint.
PART FOUR – Witnesses. Your inquiry/complaint will be considered even if there are no witnesses. If you have witnesses, attach an additional sheet, listing nothing but witnesses, with the name, address and telephone number for each witness, and include a brief description of the facts about which that witness would testify. If you do not attach a list of witnesses, we will presume that you have no witnesses, other than the attorney and yourself.
PART FIVE – Signature. You must sign the form and certify under penalty of perjury that your allegations are true.
Unsworn complaints are not considered. Submit the original inquiry/complaint form to our office via U.S. Mail. Photocopies of your signature are not accepted.
RETURN TO:
The Florida Bar
Attorney/Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP)
651 East Jefferson Street
Tallahassee, Florida
NOTICE
Mailing Instructions
The Florida Bar converts its disciplinary files to electronic media. All submissions are being scanned into an electronic record and hard copies are discarded. To help ensure the timely processing of your inquiry/complaint, please review the following guidelines prior to submitting it to our office.
1.Please limit your submission to no more than 25 pages including exhibits. If you have additional documents available, please make reference to them in your written submission as available upon request. Should Bar counsel need to obtain copies of any such documents, a subsequent request will be sent to you.
2.Please do not bind, or index your documents. You may underline but do not highlight documents under any circumstances. We scan documents for use in our disciplinary files and when scanned, your document highlighting will either not be picked up or may obscure any underlying text.
3.Please refrain from attaching media such as audio tapes or CDs, oversized documents, or photographs. We cannot process any media that cannot be scanned into the electronic record.
4.Please do not submit your original documents. All documents will be discarded after scanning and we will not be able to return any originals submitted to our office. The only original document that should be provided to our office is the inquiry/complaint form.
5.Please do not submit confidential or privileged information. Documents submitted to our office become public record. Confidential/privileged information should be redacted. Such information includes, but is not limited to, bank account numbers, social security numbers, credit card account numbers, medical records, dependency matters, termination of parental rights, guardian ad litem records, child abuse records, adoption records, documents containing names of minor children, original birth and death certificates, Baker Act records, grand jury records, and juvenile delinquency records. If information of this nature is important to your submission, please describe the nature of the information and indicate that it is available upon request. Bar counsel will contact you to make appropriate arrangements for the protection of any such information that is required as part of the investigation of the complaint.
Please be aware that materials received that do not meet these guidelines may be returned. Thank you for your consideration in this respect.
The Florida Bar
Inquiry/Complaint Form
PART ONE (See Page 1, PART ONE – Complainant Information.):
Your Name: _________________________________________________________________________
Organization: ________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code: __________________________________________________________________
Telephone: __________________________________________________________________________
ACAP Reference No.: _________________________________________________________________
Have you ever filed a complaint against a member of The Florida Bar: Yes |
No |
If yes, how many complaints have you filed? ______ |
|
Does this complaint pertain to a matter currently in litigation? Yes |
No |
PART TWO (See Page 1, PART TWO – Attorney Information.):
Attorney’s Name: _____________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code: __________________________________________________________________
Telephone: __________________________________________________________________________
PART THREE (See Page 1, PART THREE – Facts/Allegations.): The specific thing or things I
am complaining about are: (attach additional sheets as necessary)
PART FOUR (See Page 1, PART FOUR – Witnesses.): The witnesses in support of my
allegations are: [see attached sheet].
PART FIVE (See Page 1, PART FIVE – Signature.): Under penalties of perjury, I declare that the foregoing facts are true, correct and complete.
_________________________________________________
Print Name
_________________________________________________
Signature
_________________________________________________
Date
Dos and Don'ts
When filling out the Florida Complaint form, it is essential to follow certain guidelines to ensure your submission is processed efficiently. Here are five important dos and don'ts:
- Do read all instructions carefully before starting the form.
- Do provide complete and accurate information, including your contact details and the attorney's information.
- Do describe your allegations in detail and in chronological order, supporting them with facts.
- Do sign the form and certify that your allegations are true; unsworn complaints will not be accepted.
- Do submit the original form via U.S. Mail, as photocopies of signatures are not accepted.
- Don't exceed the 25-page limit, including exhibits; additional documents should be referenced, not included.
- Don't bind or index your documents; keep them simple for scanning purposes.
- Don't attach media such as audio tapes or oversized documents; these cannot be processed.
- Don't submit original documents other than the complaint form; all others will be discarded after scanning.
- Don't include confidential or privileged information; such data should be redacted to protect privacy.