Milanick v. State, 5D13–4493.

• Decision Date: 16 May 2014
• Docket Number: No. 5D13–4493.,5D13–4493.
• Citation: 147 So.3d 34
• Parties: Alexander MILANICK, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
• Court: Florida District Court of Appeals

147 So.3d 34

Alexander MILANICK, Appellant

v.STATE of Florida, Appellee.

No. 5D13–4493.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.

May 16, 2014.

Rehearing En Banc Denied Sept. 17, 2014.

Michael J. Walker of R. Matthews Miles, Jr., P.A., Holly Hill, for Appellant.

Pamela Jo Bondi, Attorney General, and Diane L. Guillemette, Assistant Attorney General, Tallahassee, for Appellee.

Opinion

COHEN, J.

Alexander Milanick appeals a non-final order denying his motion to quash and dismiss the proceeding. He argues that the case should have been dismissed based on the State's failure to personally serve him. We agree and reverse.

The instant action was brought by the State pursuant to section 112.317(7), Florida Statutes, which authorizes the State to bring a civil action to recover costs and fees awarded by the Florida Commission on Ethics. Previously, the Florida Commission on Ethics had entered an order against Milanick with which Milanick never complied.

The State attempted to personally serve Milanick but was unsuccessful; thus, it constructively served him instead. Milanick filed a notice of special appearance and motion to quash and dismiss the proceeding on the ground that he had not been personally served with process and that the trial court lacked jurisdiction over him. The State responded by admitting that it failed to personally serve Milanick and filing a proof of service by publication. The trial court denied Milanick's motion, ruling that the case was a debt enforcement case and that constructive service was sufficient to confer personal jurisdiction under section 49.011(1), Florida Statutes. This timely appeal followed.

Section 49.011, Florida Statutes, provides that service by publication may be made in any action or proceeding “[t]o enforce any legal or equitable lien or claim to any title or interest in real or personal property within the jurisdiction of the court or any fund held or debt owing by any party on whom process can be served within [Florida].” § 49.011(1), Fla. Stat. (2013). The case law is clear, however, that constructive service by publication under this statute cannot confer a court with jurisdiction over a person. See Drury v. Nat'l Auto Lenders, Inc., 83 So.3d 951, 952 (Fla. 3d DCA 2012) (“Service by publication confers only in rem or quasi in rem jurisdiction upon a trial court. A personal money judgment necessitates in personam jurisdiction over the defendant.” (citation omitted)); Huguenor v. Huguenor, 420 So.2d 344, 346 (Fla. 5th DCA 1982) (“[The defendant] may very well be subject to the provisions of Florida's long-arm statute, but in personam...