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Samuel C. SWEETING, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Appellant, Samuel C. Sweeting, has filed in this Court numerous challenges to his 2002 Judgment and Sentence stemming from Lake County Circuit Court case number 2001-CF-1239. Those filings began with a 2002 direct appeal and culminate with the instant 2020 challenge to the lower court's order barring him from future pro se filings. To date, in addition to the 2002 direct appeal and the instant appeal, Appellant has filed in this Court one Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800 appeal, five Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850 appeals, one Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.853 appeal, three belated appeals, one ineffective assistance of counsel appeal, one appeal of the denial of a petition for habeas corpus, one petition for habeas corpus and one petition for writ of mandamus. Of all of these challenges, only the petition to file a belated appeal of an order denying his rule 3.853 motion was granted, but the lower court's ruling was ultimately affirmed.
Despite this history, Appellant continues to raise the same claims that have been considered on the merits, disposed of by the trial court, and reviewed in this Court on multiple occasions. The continuous attempts by Appellant to revisit the same issues are frivolous and an abuse of this Court's process.
As such, Appellant is cautioned that any further pro se pleadings or similarly inappropriate filings filed in this Court, asserting claims previously raised stemming from the judgment and/or sentence imposed in Lake County Circuit Court case number 2001-CF-1239, may result in sanctions being imposed against him, such as a bar on pro se filings in this Court and referral to prison officials for disciplinary proceedings, which may include forfeiture of gain time. See § 944.279(1), Fla. Stat. (2019); State v. Spencer, 751 So. 2d 47 (Fla. 1999).
PER CURIAM.
WALLIS, EDWARDS and HARRIS, JJ., concur.
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Docket No: Case No. 5D20-622
Decided: February 12, 2021
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.
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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.
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