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.
D.A.J., a Child, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
In this juvenile delinquency proceeding, appellant argues that the reasons given by the trial court for its decision to commit him to a more restrictive placement than that recommended by the Department of Juvenile Justice are legally insufficient. We agree and, accordingly, reverse.
Section 39.052(4)(e)3, Florida Statutes (1995), permits trial courts to commit delinquent children to the Department at restrictiveness levels different from those recommended by the Department. However, if it elects to do so, the trial court must state its reasons. Here, the trial court recited as reasons for its decision to order a more restrictive placement than had been recommended by the Department its belief that appellant had “lied [on] the witness stand at the trial,” and the fact that appellant had continued to maintain his innocence instead of acknowledging his guilt. We conclude that both reasons are constitutionally impermissible considerations. See, e.g., Beauvais v. State, 475 So.2d 1342 (Fla. 3d DCA 1985) (trial court may not depart from guidelines based on belief that defendant lied at trial because such action would impermissibly chill exercise of fifth and sixth amendment rights); A.S. v. State, 667 So.2d 994 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996) (trial court may not base decision to depart from Department's recommended placement of juvenile delinquent on child's continued protestations of innocence because such action would impermissibly chill exercise of fifth and sixth amendment rights). Accordingly, we reverse the trial court's order of commitment, and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
REVERSED and REMANDED, with directions.
PER CURIAM.
WEBSTER, LAWRENCE and PADOVANO, JJ., concur.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Docket No: No. 96–4929.
Decided: September 25, 1997
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida,First 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)