NOTICE:  THIS OPINION IS SUBJECT TO REVISION OR WITHDRAWAL

UNTIL TIME EXPIRES FOR REHEARING OR FURTHER APPELLATE

REVIEW AND, IF FILED, DETERMINED

 

County Civil Court:  STANDARD OF REVIEW – non-jury trial – trial court’s findings are clothed with a presumption of correctness and these findings will not be disturbed unless clearly erroneous – Appellant unable to demonstrate findings are clearly erroneous and judgment is supported by competent substantial evidence – courts will not re-try cases on appeal – no transcript of the hearing supports affirmance of the trial court’s ruling – Final Judgment affirmed.  Brady v. Stoupas, Appeal No. 07-0013AP-88B (Fla. 6th Cir. App. Ct. November 30, 2007). 

 

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA

APPELLATE DIVISION

 

PAMELA M. BRADY,

                        Appellant,

vs.                                                                                     Appeal No. 07-0013AP-88B

                                                                                         UCN522007AP000013XXXXCV

DEMETRIUS STOUPAS,

                        Appellee.

_______________________________/

Appeal from Pinellas County Court

Small Claims Division

 

Pamela M. Brady, Appellant, pro se

 

Justin G. Joseph, Esquire

Attorney for Appellee

 

ORDER AND OPINION

 

            THIS CAUSE came before the Court on appeal, filed by Pamela M. Brady (Brady), from the Final Judgment, entered January 23, 2007.  Upon review of the briefs, the record and being otherwise fully advised, the Court affirms the trial court’s ruling as set forth below.

The record shows that, on September 14, 2006, Brady filed a Statement of Claim against Demetrius Stoupas (Stoupas), Brady’s landlord, alleging that while Brady was incarcerated Stoupos conspired to keep Brady’s personal belongings.  Brady sought damages in the amount of $ 3,000.00, plus costs.  After a non-jury trial, the trial court entered Final Judgment in favor of Stoupas finding that Brady presented no proof of damages either by specific description or valuation of the alleged stolen property.   

Before this Court, Brady argues that the trial court erred in granting final judgment in favor of Stoupas.  This Court must determine if the Final Judgment is supported by competent substantial evidence.  See  Shaw v. Shaw, 334 So.2d 13, 16 (Fla. 1976).  “When a case is tried without a jury, the trial judge’s findings are clothed with a presumption of correctness on appeal, and these findings will not be disturbed unless the appellant can demonstrate that they are clearly erroneous.”  See Universal Beverages Holdings, Inc. v. Merkin, 902 So.2d 288, 290 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005); see also Smiley v. Greyhound Lines, Inc., 704 So.2d 204, 205 (Fla. 5th DCA 1998)(same).

The Court finds that Brady is unable to overcome the presumption of correctness afforded the trial court’s ruling and that the Final Judgment is supported by competent substantial evidence.  Brady fails to set forth any legal issues and is essentially rearguing her case before this Court.  However, appellate courts will not retry cases on appeal.  See Urban v. City of Dayton Beach, 101 So.2d 414, 417 (Fla. 1st DCA 1958).  Further, Brady is unable to demonstrate reversible error as there is no transcript of the proceedings below.  See Applegate v. Barnett Bank of Tallahassee, 377 So.2d 1150, 1152 (Fla. 1979)(stating that the decision of the trial court has the presumption of correctness and the burden is on the appellant to demonstrate error); Bei v. Harper, 475 So.2d 912, 914 (Fla. 2d DCA 1985)(same).  Therefore, it is,

            ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the Final Judgment is affirmed. 

            DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers, at St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida this ______ of November 2007.

 

               

                                                                                ______________________________

                                                                                DAVID A. DEMERS

                                                            Circuit Judge, Appellate Division

 

 

 

_______________________                                      _____________________________

PETER RAMSBERGER                                        AMY M. WILLIAMS

Circuit Judge, Appellate Division                               Circuit Judge, Appellate Division

Copies furnished to:

 

Judge Myra Scott McNary

 

Pamela M. Brady

620 # 107 Clearwater Largo Road

Largo, Florida  33770

 

Justin G. Joseph, Esquire

1266 South Pinellas Avenue

Tarpon Springs, Florida  34689