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Dana Peterson v. State of Florida, 18-1416 (2019)

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida Number: 18-1416 Visitors: 8
Filed: Oct. 03, 2019
Latest Update: Mar. 03, 2020
Summary: FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL STATE OF FLORIDA _ No. 1D18-1416 _ DANA PETERSON, Appellant, v. STATE OF FLORIDA, Appellee. _ On appeal from the Circuit Court for Clay County. John H. Skinner, Judge. October 3, 2019 PER CURIAM. The trial court committed fundamental error in finding that Appellant was competent to proceed based on defense counsel’s stipulation where there is no indication that the trial court reviewed the expert’s report, made an independent determination that Appellant’s competen
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          FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
                 STATE OF FLORIDA
                 _____________________________

                         No. 1D18-1416
                 _____________________________

DANA PETERSON,

    Appellant,

    v.

STATE OF FLORIDA,

    Appellee.
                 _____________________________


On appeal from the Circuit Court for Clay County.
John H. Skinner, Judge.

                         October 3, 2019


PER CURIAM.

     The trial court committed fundamental error in finding that
Appellant was competent to proceed based on defense counsel’s
stipulation where there is no indication that the trial court
reviewed the expert’s report, made an independent determination
that Appellant’s competency had been restored, or entered a
written order to that effect. See Davis v. State, 
44 Fla. L
. Weekly
D2059 (Fla. 1st DCA Aug. 13, 2019); Robinson v. State, 
250 So. 3d 777
, 778 (Fla. 1st DCA 2018); Zern v. State, 
191 So. 3d 962
, 964-65
(Fla. 1st DCA 2016). Accordingly, we reverse and remand for a
retroactive determination of competency, if possible. Davis, 
44 Fla. L
. Weekly at D2059; 
Robinson, 250 So. 3d at 778-79
; Zern, 
191 So. 3d
at 965. If the trial court finds that Appellant was competent at
the time he entered his plea, it must enter a nunc pro tunc written
order memorializing that finding with no change in the judgment.
See Bowden v. State, 
44 Fla. L
. Weekly D2261 (Fla. 1st DCA Sept.
9, 2019). However, if the trial court cannot make a retroactive
determination, it must allow Appellant to withdraw his plea and
adjudicate his present competency to proceed. 
Id. REVERSED and
REMANDED.

RAY, C.J., and BILBREY and JAY, JJ., concur.

                 _____________________________

    Not final until disposition of any timely and
    authorized motion under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or
    9.331.
               _____________________________


Andy Thomas, Public Defender, and Megan Long, Assistant Public
Defender, Tallahassee, for Appellant.

Ashley Moody, Attorney General, Tallahassee, for Appellee.




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Source:  CourtListener

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