Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Joseph HAWES, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
The state concedes that appellant, a juvenile, cannot be convicted of attempted capital sexual battery, which requires the perpetrator to be over the age of eighteen. See § 794.011(2)(a), Fla. Stat. (1995). We therefore reverse appellant's conviction and remand with directions to enter a judgment of guilt for attempted sexual battery and to resentence appellant in accordance with the penalties provided for a second degree felony. See M.J.C. v. State, 681 So.2d 1203, 1203 (Fla. 5th DCA 1996).
If on resentencing the trial court intends to reduce appellant's sentence to less than twelve years imprisonment, in contravention of the plea bargain, the state should be given the option to vacate the judgment and sentence in their entirety and to take appellant to trial. See Cheney v. State, 640 So.2d 103, 105 (Fla. 4th DCA 1994) (citing Jolly v. State, 392 So.2d 54, 56 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981) (where sentence reduced in contravention of plea bargain, state should be given option of either agreeing to vacation of judgment and sentence and taking defendant to trial on all original charges or agreeing to vacation of excessive sentence only)).
PER CURIAM.
WARNER, POLEN and SHAHOOD, JJ., concur.
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Docket No: No. 97-0470.
Decided: July 08, 1998
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida,Fourth District.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)