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.
Shaunte COLLINS, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
The trial court summarily denied appellant's motion for post-conviction relief filed pursuant to Rule 3.850, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure. Appellant alleged ineffective assistance of counsel based on trial counsel's failure to assert his speedy trial rights, and that counsel was ineffective for “conceding” guilt to lesser included offenses. We find appellant's allegations concerning his speedy trial claim legally sufficient to warrant further examination. See Hankins v. State, 677 So.2d 112 (Fla. 4th DCA 1996).
As to the concession of guilt claim, if counsel had conceded guilt of the lesser included offense, an evidentiary hearing would be required. Having reviewed the portion of the closing arguments provided by appellant, it is clear that counsel was not conceding guilt of any of the lesser included offenses. See McMillan v. State, 763 So.2d 1140, 1141 (Fla. 4th DCA 2000). Rather, counsel argued that appellant hoped that the jury would consider the lesser included offenses as appellant did not expect to be found not guilty of everything. Therefore, the trial court was correct in denying this ineffective assistance claim.
We reverse and remand this cause to the trial court with instructions to either conduct an evidentiary hearing or to attach those parts of the record showing that appellant is not entitled to relief with respect to his speedy trial claim.
PER CURIAM.
GUNTHER, WARNER and KLEIN, 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. 4D01-1938.
Decided: September 19, 2001
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)