County Criminal Court: CRIMINAL LAW – Sentencing – When a trial court withholds adjudication, it must also impose probation pursuant to statute and rule. Sentences reversed. State v. Lai, No. CRC 05-10 APANO, (Fla. 6th Cir.App.Ct. Sept. 21, 2005).

 

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR PINELLAS COUNTY

 

 

STATE OF FLORIDA

 

            Appellant,

 

Appeal No. CRC 05-10 APANO

UCN522005AP000010XXXXCR

v.                                                                                            (Consolidated with)

Appeal No. CRC 05-12 APANO

UCN522005AP000012XXXXCR

 

LE HUU LAI

 

            Appellee.

______________________________/

 

Opinion filed __________________.

 

Appeal from a sentence entered

by the Pinellas County Court

County Judge Thomas Freeman

 

Greg Groger, Esq.

Assistant State Attorney

 

Le Huu Lai, Pro Se

 

ORDER AND OPINION

 

            THIS MATTER is before the Court on the State’s appeal from two sentences imposed by the Pinellas County Court. After reviewing the briefs and record, this Court reverses the sentences.

            The defendant pleaded no contest to charges of possession of undersized sea trout. The trial court withheld adjudication. Over the objection of the State, the trial court refused to place the defendant on probation. The State has appealed those sentences, claiming that they are unlawful.

Subsequent to the sentences being imposed, the case of  State v. Lindner, No. CRC 05-5 APANO, (Fla. 6th Cir. App. Ct. July 8, 2005) was entered. In Lindner the Court explained that if a defendant is given a withhold of adjudication, the law requires that the defendant also be placed on probation. Therefore, the sentences imposed by the trial court were in error.

            IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the sentences are reversed, and these cases are remanded to the trial court for resentencing in accordance with this Order and Opinion.           

            DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida

 

this _____ day of September, 2005.

 

 

                                                                                                _____________________

                                                                                                        Nancy Moate Ley

                                                                                                        Circuit Judge

 

                                                                                   

 

                                                                                                ______________________

                                                                                                        R. Timothy Peters

                                                                                                         Circuit Judge

 

 

 

                                                                                                _______________________

                                                                                                            John A. Schaefer

                                                                                                            Circuit Judge

 

cc:   State Attorney

 

       Le Huu Lai

        

       Judge Freeman