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.
Gregory MARTIN, Appellant, v. The STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Gregory Martin appeals his convictions for domestic battery by strangulation and two counts of simple battery. Martin claims these convictions violate double jeopardy because he was “convicted twice—for domestic battery by strangulation and simple battery—for a single act of strangulation.”
Martin's argument is without merit. The record plainly reveals that Martin committed two separate, distinct acts of strangulation at two different times and in two different locations. No double jeopardy violation occurred. See Graham v. State, 207 So.3d 135, 137–39 (Fla. 2016) (citation omitted) (quoting Blockburger v. U.S., 284 U.S. 299, 302, 52 S.Ct. 180, 76 L.Ed. 306 (1932) (“If successive impulses are separately given, even though all unite in swelling a common stream of action, separate indictments lie’ ․ ‘The test is whether the individual acts are prohibited, or the course of action which they constitute. If the former, then each act is punishable separately.”); see also Schwartzberg v. State, 215 So.3d 611, 616 (Fla. 4th DCA 2017) (concluding double jeopardy was not violated because “even though both of appellant's battery convictions occurred within the same criminal episode and were part of a ‘common stream of action,’ ․ ‘each act is punishable separately’ because the ‘individual acts’ of battery are distinct and prohibited.”).
Affirmed.
PER CURIAM.
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. 3D17-1848
Decided: April 24, 2019
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third 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)