D.S., Appellant, v. STATE (2021)

D.S. challenges the trial court's disposition order that, in pertinent part, imposes a $50 fee for “the Legal Assistance Lien for payment of attorney's fees or costs.” Because the trial court failed to provide D.S. notice of his right to contest the $50 fee, we reverse the imposition of the fee. We affirm D.S.'s disposition order in all other respects.

During the pendency of this appeal, D.S. filed a motion to correct sentencing error pursuant to Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.135(b)(2), arguing that the trial court imposed the $50 fee without advising D.S. of the right to a hearing to contest the fee or without inquiring whether D.S. agreed to the fee. Since the trial court did not rule on the motion within thirty days, it is deemed denied. See Fla. R. Juv. P. 8.135(b)(2)(B).

When imposing a public defender fee, a trial court must first give a defendant notice of his right to a hearing. J.S. v. State, 277 So. 3d 270, 276 (Fla. 2d DCA 2019); Newton v. State, 262 So. 3d 849, 850 (Fla. 2d DCA 2018). Here, the trial court failed to notify D.S. of his right to a hearing to contest the $50 public defender fee imposed at sentencing. We therefore reverse and remand with instructions to strike the $50 fee and consider whether to reimpose it after D.S. is given notice and an opportunity to be heard. As this court did in Newton, 262 So. 3d at 850, we certify conflict with the First District's decision in Mills v. State, 177 So. 3d 984 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015). We also certify conflict with Alexis v. State, 211 So. 3d 81 (Fla. 4th DCA 2017).

Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded; conflict certified.

SLEET, Judge.

LaROSE and ROTHSTEIN-YOUAKIM, JJ., Concur.