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.
Alfonso EDWARDS, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Alfonso Edwards appeals the order summarily denying his motion for postconviction relief filed pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850. We reverse and remand for further proceedings.
Edwards timely filed his postconviction motion, raising two claims for relief. His first claim alleged that a scoresheet error rendered his plea involuntary. The postconviction court failed to rule on this claim, which warrants a remand for the court to address that claim. See Purse v. State, 185 So.3d 627, 627 (Fla. 5th DCA 2016).
In his second claim, Edwards asserted ineffective assistance of counsel in that his trial counsel did not discover the scoresheet error prior to the entry of his plea. Edwards argued that, as a result of this oversight, he experienced a harsher sentence than was legally required. The postconviction court properly found this claim to be facially insufficient because Edwards failed to allege that he would not have entered his plea but for counsel's error. Although this claim is facially insufficient, Edwards should be given notice and an opportunity to correct the deficiency within a specified time consistent with Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850(f), provided he can do so in good faith. See Spera v. State, 971 So.2d 754, 761 (Fla. 2007); see also Boule v. State, 86 So.3d 1185, 1186 (Fla. 5th DCA 2012).
Accordingly, we reverse the summary denial, and remand for the postconviction court to consider claim one and to strike claim two with leave to amend.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
PER CURIAM
EVANDER, EDWARDS, and GROSSHANS, JJ., concur.
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: Case No. 5D18-2539
Decided: December 14, 2018
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth 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)