Daniel v. State, 865 So. 2d 661

COVINGTON, Judge.

Troy E. Daniel appeals the trial court‘s denial, without an evidentiary hearing, of a motion to withdraw a guilty plea. Daniel‘s motion alleged that his trial counsel misadvised him regarding sentencing. Because the record fails to show that Daniel is not entitled to relief, we reverse and remand for an evidentiary hearing. See Snodgrass v. State, 837 So.2d 507, 508 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003) (citing State v. Leroux, 689 So.2d 235, 237 (Fla.1996)). Since a motion to withdraw a plea pursuant to rule 3.170(l) is a “critical stage” in which the defendant is entitled to effective assistance of counsel, Brown v. State, 835 So.2d 402, 403 (Fla. 2d DCA 2003), we remand with directions that the trial court appoint conflict-free counsel for the evidentiary hearing.

Reversed and remanded.

SALCINES and WALLACE, JJ., Concur.

Case Details

Case Name: Daniel v. State

Court Name: District Court of Appeal of Florida

Date Published: Feb 18, 2004

Citations: 865 So. 2d 661; 2004 WL 298407; 2D03-1514

Docket Number: 2D03-1514

Court Abbreviation: Fla. Dist. Ct. App.