Simmons v. State

Decision Date26 January 1978
Docket NumberNo. 51223,51223
Citation354 So.2d 1211
PartiesWillie E. SIMMONS, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
CourtFlorida Supreme Court

Willie E. Simmons, in pro per., Theodore E. Mack, Asst. Public Defender, Tallahassee, for appellant.

Robert L. Shevin, Atty. Gen., and Charles W. Musgrove, Asst. Atty. Gen., for appellee.

PER CURIAM.

Appellant was charged with burglary, a violation of Section 810.02, Florida Statutes (1975), and moved to dismiss on the grounds that the statute is unconstitutionally vague and overbroad. The record does not reflect any ruling on appellant's motion, but apparently it was denied as the case proceeded to trial. Upon conviction, appellant renewed his challenge to the statute by motion for a new trial. Motion was denied and appellant appealed. The First District Court of Appeal then transferred the cause to this court. Since the trial court inherently passed on the validity of Section 810.02, Florida Statutes, we have jurisdiction. 1 See Harrell's Candy Kitchen v. Sarasota-Manatee Air Authority, 111 So.2d 439 (Fla.1959).

Appellant's sole attack upon the statute is that it fails to declare a violation of the statute a crime. Appellant's court appointed counsel states:

Although appellant, in his motion to dismiss, attacked the constitutionality of Florida's burglary statute, counsel is unable to, in good faith, argue this point. Concerning appellant's question as to whether or not burglary is a crime, counsel would point out that this court has previously held that breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor is a felony. Copeland v. State, 275 So.2d 258 (Fla. 1st DCA 1973).

After careful review of the record, we find that appellant's allegations fail to constitute a substantial constitutional question. See Riddle v. State, 345 So.2d 1073 (Fla.1977).

Accordingly, the appeal is transferred to the First District Court of Appeal for further action consistent herewith.

It is so ordered.

OVERTON, C. J., and BOYD, ENGLAND, SUNDBERG, HATCHETT and KARL, JJ., concur.

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2 cases
  • Woodward v. State, 79-338
    • United States
    • Florida District Court of Appeals
    • January 16, 1980
    ...suppress our initial desire to send this case up to our Supreme Court. State v. Opitz, 357 So.2d 469 (Fla.2d DCA 1978); Simmons v. State, 354 So.2d 1211 (Fla.1978). As to the following remaining points appellant raises alleging error, we find the evidence was sufficient to support the convi......
  • DeGeorge v. State, 77-120
    • United States
    • Florida District Court of Appeals
    • April 18, 1978
    ...of 810.02, Florida Statutes (1975), is not in question. Riddle v. State, 345 So.2d 1073 (Fla.1977), also see Simmons v. State, 354 So.2d 1211 (Fla.1978). Section 810.02 of the Florida Statutes (1975) "810.02 Burglars.- "(1) 'Burglary' means entering and remaining in a structure or a conveya......

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