402 So. 2d 432 | Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | 1981
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting:
After holding that incarceration imposed as a condition of probation or as part of a split sentence is invalid where it equals or exceeds one year and making that holding retroactive, the court in Villery states that one who is under such an order “upon application ” is entitled to have the illegal order corrected. The court further said, “In correcting the order, the trial court has the option either of modifying the order to make it legal or of withdrawing it and imposing a sentence of imprisonment.” It went on to say that, unless a condition of probation was determined to have been violated, the trial court could not “impose a sentence of imprisonment for a period of time in excess of the original total term of probation.” This clearly infers that, even where a condition of probation has not been violated, the trial court can, in correcting a sentence made illegal by Villery, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a period of time not in excess of the original total term of probation.
As I understand the above quotes from Villery, if a defendant has heretofore been convicted and was given probation for a long period of time with a condition of confinement for one year or more, or a split sentence with confinement for one year or more plus a long period of probation, the sentence is illegal and, upon application for correction, the sentence can be modified by imposing a sentence of confinement that can exceed the original period of confinement and is limited only to the maximum legal sentence provided by law or the originally imposed period of probation, whichever is less.
Split sentencing with confinement in prison for a period in excess of one year has been common in Florida since it was authorized by Ch. 74-112, Laws of Florida (1974), effective July 1, 1974. These split sentences were not contrary to law when imposed and are made “illegal” only by court mandate applied retroactively. Lauxman is typical of how the Villery case is being urged in the appellate courts. Lauxman appealed January 4, 1980, and his initial brief related only to a suppression matter and raised no question relating to the legality of his sentence. After the original Vil-lery opinion was issued October 30,1980, his appellate counsel filed a notice that Laux-man’s sentence appeared to be illegal under Villery. My difference with the majority opinion arises from my concern with the implementation of Villery. As a practical matter it is obvious that, as is common, this question has been raised for the first time on appeal by an alert appellate defense counsel acting on his own initiative and that no trial counsel has discussed with Lauxman the advantages and disadvantages of making an application to have his “illegal” sentence “corrected” by the trial court. In making that, decision there are many factors that should be considered, some of them requiring the expertise of competent counsel experienced in appraising the possible result of being exposed to a longer sentence of confinement than was originally imposed.
It might be difficult for trial counsel to explain to Lauxman how, because his appellate counsel too quickly urged, and the appellate court too eagerly embraced, Villery, Lauxman’s illegal “sentence” to five years on probation with the provision that he spend weekends in jail has been reversed on appeal and that he now faces five straight years in prison. I can understand why such a defendant may prefer “illegal” probation to perfectly legal confinement in prison.
Also, there are substantial constitutional questions raised by a procedure that, after sentencing, subjects an accused to the jeopardy of an increased punishment. See North Carolina v. Pearce, 395 U.S. 711, 717, 89 S.Ct. 2072, 2076, 23 L.Ed.2d 656 (1969); Ex parte Lange, 18 Wall. 163, 173, 85 U.S. 163, 173, 21 L.Ed. 872, 878 (1874).
Appeals are for the purpose of reviewing rulings of trial courts. Consequently, applications for judicial relief should always first be presented to trial courts. Rules of procedure adequately provide for original application in trial courts to review allegedly illegal sentences.
For these reasons, I believe application for relief under Villery should not be initiated in the appellate court, but only in the trial court at the specific behest of the defendant. There a defendant can be properly advised, make an informed decision as to his application for relief and by his personal application perhaps waive the constitutional double jeopardy question. After relief is denied in the trial court will be soon enough for review on appeal. I would affirm Lauxman’s adjudication of guilt without prejudice to his right to make application to the trial court for relief from his sentence.
. See Fla.R.Crim.P. 3.800(a) and 3.850. Some Villery questions are reaching the appellate court by this route. See, e. g., Alexander v. State, 399 So.2d 424 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981); Baley v. State, 396 So.2d 810 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981).
Lead Opinion
Appellant was arrested for disorderly intoxication, an offense under a city ordinance substantially identical to section 856.-011, Florida Statutes. The search following his arrest disclosed his possession of a controlled substance. After being charged with such possession and having his motion to suppress denied, he pled nolo contendere reserving the right to appeal the denial of his motion to suppress.
The record on appeal satisfies us that when arrested, appellant was intoxicated and was causing a public disturbance. State v. Holden, 299 So.2d 8 (Fla.1974); see T.L.M. v. State, 371 So.2d 688 (Fla. 1st DCA 1979); Sears v. State, 319 So.2d 69 (Fla.2d DCA 1975). The arrest was lawful, as was the search incident to the arrest. United States v. Robinson, 414 U.S. 218, 94 S.Ct. 467, 38 L.Ed.2d 427 (1973).
Appellant also contends on appeal that the condition in the order placing him on probation for five years, which requires that he spend weekends in jail during his period of probation, is contrary to Villery v. Florida Parole and Probation Commission, 396 So.2d 1107 (Fla.1981). In Villery, the Supreme Court held that the maximum period of incarceration which may be imposed as a condition of probation is up to, but not including one year. The condition of incarceration imposed here exceeds that time, so the probation order is vacated, and the case is remanded to the trial court for reconsideration of sentence. Webb v. State, 392 So.2d 35 (Fla. 5th DCA 1980). The judgment of conviction is affirmed.
Conviction AFFIRMED. Sentence VACATED and REMANDED.
Concurrence Opinion
concurring specially:
I concur with the majority opinion and add my thought, in answer to the dissent, that I presume appellate counsel had the full concurrence of the appellant after a complete explanation was made to him of the consequences of the Villery v. The Florida Parole and Probation Commission, 396 So.2d 1107 (Fla.1981), point on appeal. I do not assume appellate counsel is gambling with the future of her client without his knowledge and permission.
Rehearing
ON MOTION FOR REHEARING
By petition for rehearing, appellant advises the court that the trial judge had previously amended the sentence so that it does not conflict with Villery v. Florida Parole and Probation Commission, 396 So.2d 1107 (Fla.1981). We therefore grant the petition for rehearing, and amend the opinion originally issued in this case by deleting from it any reference to appellant’s sentence or any requirement to resentence appellant. Appellant’s conviction stands affirmed.