Wells v. WainwrightWells v. Wainwright
By рetition for writ of habeas corpus petitioner seeks her release on bond pending appeal from a conviction of perjury and sentence to life imprisоnment.
A similar petition was previously before this Court, and it was denied without prejudice to apply to the Third District Court of Appeal. Petitioner complied and the District Court,
Our investigation of this case reveals that at the trial level and on November 11, 1971, petitioner filed her notice of appeal and motion to set supersedeas bond pending appeal. On the same date a hearing was held before the trial judge during which the judge summarily denied bond on appеal and would not reconsider his ruling. Apparently, the state was opposed to bond bеing allowed but agreed that if bond were permitted, it could be in the amount as the bond priоr to conviction, i. e., $25,000.00. The trial judge’s ruling was not reduced to writing, however, the foregoing evеnts are contained in the transcript of the hearing.
In view of these occurrences, we now proceed to a determination of petitioner’s plea for bond рending appeal.
The constitutional right to bail as provided for in Section 14, Article I, Declaration of Rights, Florida Constitution of 1968, F.S.A., applies only prior to adjudication of guilt. Thereafter bail becomes discretionary with the court, however, this discretion is not unlimited and must be exercised within the guidelines established by case law and adopted by rule. Younghans v. State, Fla.1956,
Younghans essentially directs the court to consider (1) whether the appеal is taken for delay or in good faith on grounds not frivolous but fairly debatable; (2) the habits of the individual regarding respect for the law; (3) local attachments to the community by way of family ties, business or investment; (4) the severity of the sentence imposed, and circumstances relevant to the question of whether the defendant would remove himself from the jurisdiction of the court.
Sub judice, other than for the circumstances out of which the perjury charge аrose, petitioner apparently has never been arrested. Pending trial in this causе, she was at liberty on a $25,000.00 bond and appeared at all required times. Petitioner is 48 yeаrs of age, owns her own home and has lived in the State of Florida many years. Additionally, she is thе mother of an eleven year old daughter who was in her custody, care and control until petitioner’s incarceration herein.
Although the action of a trial judge comes to us with great weight and should not be set aside unless it appears he has abused his discretion, nevertheless this “judicial discretion” is not an arbitrary power. Its meaning contemplatеs a careful decision arrived at only after a review of all facts and circumstances surrounding the standards, if any, applicable to any pending request.
Obviously, neither the standards of Younghans nor the principles enunciated in Rule 6.15, F.A.R., were considered or applied in this case below, and, by sо applying them we can conclude that the petitioner passes review and is еntitled to bond on appeal. However, we would point out that what may have beеn an unreasonable bond prior to trial may well be reasonable after adjudication of guilt. Lambert v. State, Fla.App. 1963,
The request to release petitioner on bail pending appeal is hereby granted and it is ordered that the appeal herein tо the Third District Court of Appeal shall have
It is so ordered.