A motion claiming ineffective assistance of counsel must be filed within 20 days of the date the court entered the written order terminating parental rights. What Does Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Mean in a Florida Criminal Case?In Florida, individuals convicted in state or federal courts can file motions claiming ineffective assistance of counsel. Florida - INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE of COUNSEL (and Right to Counsel). Strictly speaking, ineffective counsel (or ineffective assistance of counsel) is NOT a civil claim. The trial judge must first conduct a Nelson1 inquiry to determine whether trial counsel has in fact been ineffective. Attorney Don Pumphrey explains claims for ineffective assistance of counsel in Tallahassee, FL, and the surrounding areas in Leon County. Claims of ineffective assistance of counsel with a citation to this Court's decision inBates v. State,. That claim is called malpractice (or professional negligence). How "Ineffective Assistance of Counsel" Can Affect Your Right to a Fair Trial in Florida. CrimDef7.