KOVACS v. STATE (2019)

We reverse the denial of appellant's motion for an extension of time to file his first postconviction relief motion pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850. Appellant filed his motion for extension before the expiration of the time for filing. See Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.850(b).

To obtain an extension, appellant was required to show “good cause.” See Parker v. State, 907 So. 2d 694, 695 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005). “Good cause” has been defined as “a substantial reason, one that affords a legal excuse, or a cause moving the court to its conclusion, not arbitrary or contrary to all the evidence, and not mere ignorance of law, hardship on petitioner, and reliance on [another's] advice.” Id. (quoting State v. Boyd, 846 So. 2d 458, 460 (Fla. 2003)).

A hurricane caused flooding at the prison where appellant was housed, destroying many of his legal documents, such that he “suffered a complete loss of over 12 months of legal research and documents accumulated and prepared for postconviction motions.” Like other biblical calamities, hurricanes and floods that impact a person's ability to timely file a postconviction motion constitute good cause for an extension to file.

We remand the case to the circuit court where appellant shall be accorded a reasonable time to file his postconviction motion.

Gross, J.

Levine, C.J., and Damoorgian, J., concur.