Peterson v. State

• Decision Date: 22 June 2018
• Docket Number: Case No. 5D17–3275
• Citation: 249 So.3d 1264
• Parties: Malcolm N. PETERSON, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
• Court: Florida District Court of Appeals

249 So.3d 1264

Malcolm N. PETERSON, Appellant,

v.STATE of Florida, Appellee.

Case No. 5D17–3275

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.

Opinion filed June 22, 2018

James S. Purdy, Public Defender, and Edward J. Weiss, Assistant Public Defender, Daytona Beach, for Appellant.

Pamela Jo Bondi, Attorney General, Tallahassee, and Rebecca Rock McGuigan, Assistant Attorney General, Daytona Beach, for Appellee.

PER CURIAM.

Malcolm Peterson appeals the circuit court's order summarily denying his motion seeking the return of personal property. We reverse because the circuit court erred by denying the motion without either attaching records demonstrating that the evidence of record refuted the motion or considering the motion on the merits at an evidentiary hearing.

While executing a search warrant at Peterson's residence, law enforcement seized various contraband and drug paraphernalia. In addition to these items, law enforcement seized $187.00 in cash from Peterson as well as a black wallet containing his Florida driver license and $2,565.00 in cash. The State charged Peterson with four drug-related offenses; but, the charges were ultimately nolle prossed.

Peterson then filed a motion seeking the return of his cash, wallet, and driver license. After receiving a response from the State, the circuit court summarily denied the motion. This appeal followed.

Review of an order summarily denying a motion for return of property is de novo. See Sanchez v. State, 174 So.3d 439, 442 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015) ; Lebron v. State, 100 So.3d 132, 133 (Fla. 5th DCA 2012) (citing McLin v. State, 827 So.2d 948, 954 (Fla. 2002) ).

Peterson argues that the circuit court erred in summarily denying his motion because it was facially sufficient, thus obligating the circuit court to attach portions of the record conclusively refuting the allegations in the motion or to hold an evidentiary hearing on the motion. We agree.

Upon receiving a motion for the return of property, the circuit court "should follow the same procedures as a motion for post-conviction relief." Watkins v. State, 230 So.3d 1244, 1247 (Fla. 3d DCA 2017) (citing Bolden v. State, 875 So.2d 780, 782 n.3 (Fla. 2d DCA 2004) ). As such, the circuit court must first determine if the motion is facially sufficient. See Wilson v. State, 957 So.2d 1264, 1265 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007). "A facially sufficient motion for return of property must specifically identify the property and allege that it is the movant's personal property, that the property is not the fruit of criminal activity, and that the property is not being held as evidence." Almeda v. State, 959 So.2d 806, 808 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007) (citations omitted). If the motion is facially...