WILLIAMS v. STATE, 310 So.2d 53 (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 1975)

JOSEPH NATHANIAL WILLIAMS, APPELLANT, v. STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE.

No. 74-959.District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District.
March 19, 1975.

Appeal from the Circuit Court for Citrus County, John W. Booth, J.

Page 54

James A. Gardner, Public Defender, Sarasota, and Harold H. Moore, Asst. Public Defender, Bradenton, for appellant.

Robert L. Shevin, Atty. Gen., Tallahassee, and Robert J. Landry, Asst. Atty. Gen., Tampa, for appellee.

HOBSON, Judge.

It is clear from the record in this case, and undisputed by the State, that appellant’s appeal was frustrated by State action. Baggett v. Wainwright, Fla. 1969, 229 So.2d 239. The record is entirely adequate for the purpose of making this determination. It contains a pro se motion to the trial judge which was filed by appellant six days after judgment and sentence, asking for an appeal, requesting the appointment of an attorney and stating that he was indigent. Despite this, counsel was not appointed nor an appeal taken until after the time for appeal had expired.

We therefore treat the appeal papers as a petition for habeas corpus, Thompson v. Dilley, Fla. 1973, 275 So.2d 234, and grant belated appellate review under authority of Hollingshead v. Wainwright, Fla. 1967, 194 So.2d 577. No formal issuance of a writ is necessary.

Considering now the merits of the case, appellant’s only contention is that the lower court erred in failing to credit him for the time he had spent in county jail awaiting trial.

Allowance of credit for “jail time” is now mandatory under §921.161(1) F.S. as amended by Ch. 73-71, Laws of Florida 1973. Hollingshead v. State, Fla.App.1st 1974, 292 So.2d 617. Appellant, having been sentenced after the effective date of Ch. 73-71, was entitled to credit for the time spent in jail awaiting trial.

The cause is remanded to the trial court for the purpose of entering a corrective sentence order, setting forth specifically the period of credit time allowed appellant in accordance with §921.161(1) F.S. Grine v. State, Fla.App.2d 1974, 301 So.2d 122; Marshall v. State, Fla.App.2d 1974, 310 So.2d 55 (1975). This action may be taken by the trial court without the appellant appearing before the court.

The judgment appealed is affirmed and the cause remanded with directions.

McNULTY, C.J., and GRIMES, J., concur.

Page 55

jdjungle

Share
Published by
jdjungle
Tags: 310 So.2d 53

Recent Posts

Florida Attorney General Opinion No. AGO 2025-03 (Oct. 20, 2025)

State Attorney Staff Firearm Possession in Courtrooms Number: AGO 2025-03 Issued: October 20, 2025 Ed…

1 month ago

Florida Attorney General Opinion No. AGO 2025-02 (Oct. 20, 2025)

Certain Professional Firearm Regulations after McDaniels Number: AGO 2025-02 Issued: October 20, 2025 The Honorable…

1 month ago

Florida Attorney General Opinion No. AGO2025-01 (June 11, 2025)

Moving the dates of Municipal Elections absent voter approval Number: AGO2025-01 Issued: June 11, 2025…

1 month ago

Florida Attorney General Opinion No. AGO2023-04 (10/30/2023)

Sunshine Law – Search and Selection Committees Number: AGO2023-04 Issued October 30, 2023 Rachel Kamoutsas…

1 year ago

Florida Attorney General Opinion No. AGO2023-03 (10/02/2023)

Firearms - Definitions Number: AGO2023-03 Issued October 02, 2023 Representative Shane Abbott Florida House of…

1 year ago

Florida Attorney General Opinion No. AGO 2023-02 (07/21/2023)

Clerk’s sale of court-ordered debts to debt purchasers Number: AGO 2023-02 Issued July 21, 2023…

1 year ago