SPEAR v. STATE (2018)

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.

Michael SPEAR, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.

Case No. 5D17–1714

Decided: June 01, 2018

James S. Purdy, Public Defender, and Brittany N. O'Neil, Assistant Public Defender, Daytona Beach, for Appellant. Pamela Jo Bondi, Attorney General, Tallahassee, and Allison L. Morris, Assistant Attorney General, Daytona Beach, for Appellee.

Appellant's failure to appear for a scheduled sentencing hearing resulted in the imposition of a substantial prison sentence pursuant to Quarterman v. State, 527 So.2d 1380 (Fla. 1988). The trial court also adjudicated Appellant guilty of indirect criminal contempt for his failure to appear. We reverse the sentences imposed in case numbers 2016–CF–039801 and 2016–CF–047845, and remand for an evidentiary hearing and factual determination as to whether Appellant's failure to comply with the Quarterman agreement was willful. We also reverse the conviction and sentence for indirect criminal contempt because the trial court did not afford procedural due process. See Garrett v. State, 876 So.2d 24, 25 (Fla. 1st DCA 2004) (merely asking defendant if he wished to explain behavior was insufficient; rather, court must inform defendant that he can present mitigating circumstances and give “a separate and distinct opportunity” for him to do so).

On remand, Appellant shall be afforded a new sentencing hearing and a new hearing on the contempt charge.

REVERSED AND REMANDED.

PER CURIAM.

TORPY, WALLIS and LAMBERT, JJ., concur.

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