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.
Thomson VAVAL, Appellant, v. The STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Thomson Vaval appeals an order summarily denying his motion for postconviction relief under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850. For the following reasons, we reverse and remand for further proceedings.
Vaval claims his convictions for one count of lewd and lascivious battery on a child less than sixteen years of age and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child twelve to sixteen years of age violates double jeopardy because there was no temporal break between the two offenses that were committed on the same child on the same day. The trial court affirmed, finding that there was a temporal break between the two criminal acts and that Vaval formed a separate criminal intent to commit the two acts.
On appeal from a summary denial, this court must reverse unless the postconviction record, see Fla. R.App. P. 9.141(b)(2)(A), shows conclusively that the appellant is entitled to no relief. See Fla. R.App. P. 9.141(b)(2)(D). Because the record now before us fails to make the required showing, we reverse the order and remand for an evidentiary hearing or other appropriate relief. The record before us consists of only Vaval's postconviction motion, the State's response to the motion, the order on appeal, the arresting officer's report, the arrest affidavit and the Rape Treatment Center Report. From this record, we are unable to discern that Vaval committed more than one criminal act on the same day, much less a temporal break between two acts.
If the trial court again enters an order summarily denying the postconviction motion, the court shall attach record excerpts conclusively showing that the appellant is not entitled to any relief.
WELLS, Chief Judge.
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. 3D12–3119.
Decided: February 20, 2013
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)