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.
Christopher TAYLOR, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Christopher Taylor appeals the denial of his rule 3.850 motion. We conclude that one of the claims is legally sufficient and not refuted by the attached records. In Claim Four, Taylor alleged that counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to object to several errors on Taylor's sentencing scoresheet. He alleged that he was prejudiced because he would have received a significantly lower sentence under the correct scoresheet. He also alleged that he would not have entered a plea to his charges, but would have elected to go to trial.
The scoresheet was not included in the record on appeal, and the attached records do not refute his claim. Contrary to the state's argument on appeal, the alleged scoresheet errors could not be raised in a rule 3.800(a) motion, because the sentence Taylor received could have been imposed notwithstanding the alleged errors. See Brooks v. State, 930 So.2d 835 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006), rev. granted, 948 So.2d 758 (Fla.2007).
When Taylor entered an open plea in this case, the trial judge stated that he did not intend to sentence him above the lowest permissible sentence on the scoresheet. The record does not show that the judge would have imposed the same sentence absent the alleged errors. State v. Anderson, 905 So.2d 111 (Fla.2005).
We reverse and remand for an evidentiary hearing on Claim Four or attachment of portions of the record that conclusively refute Taylor's claim.
PER CURIAM.
POLEN, GROSS and TAYLOR, 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. 4D06-4495.
Decided: May 09, 2007
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)