BOSWELL v. STATE (2021)

Appellant, Kelly A. Boswell, appeals the circuit court's orders revoking her probation, adjudicating her guilty, and sentencing her to a 31.2-month term of imprisonment with the Department of Corrections. She argues that the court erred by conducting an abbreviated hearing and subsequently terminating her from participation in drug court, rather than conducting a full violation of probation hearing. The State has commendably conceded error, and we agree that Appellant is entitled to full violation of probation proceedings in accordance with Gaither v. State, 296 So. 3d 553 (Fla. 5th DCA 2020). Gaither dealt with a matter of first impression in Florida and was decided after Appellant was sentenced; thus, it was not available to guide the trial court in conducting the proceedings that led to Appellant's imprisonment.

We reverse the subject orders, judgments, and sentences that resulted in Appellant's imprisonment with the Department of Corrections and remand with instructions for the circuit court to promptly conduct full revocation of probation proceedings, as described in Gaither, to ensure that Appellant is afforded due process.

REVERSED AND REMANDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS.

EDWARDS, J.

EVANDER, C.J. and SASSO, JJ., concur.