Williams v. State

• Decision Date: 01 May 1991
• Docket Number: No. 90-2431,90-2431
• Citation: 578 So.2d 846,16 Fla. L. Weekly 169
• Parties: Harold WILLIAMS, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee. 578 So.2d 846, 16 Fla. L. Week. 169
• Court: Florida District Court of Appeals

Page 846

578 So.2d 846

Harold WILLIAMS, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.

No. 90-2431.

578 So.2d 846, 16 Fla. L. Week. 169

District Court of Appeal of Florida Fourth District.

May 1, 1991.

Richard L. Jorandby, Public Defender and Joseph Chloupek, Asst. Public Defender, West Palm Beach, for appellant.

Robert A. Butterworth, Atty. Gen., Tallahassee, and Don M. Rogers, Asst. Atty. Gen., West Palm Beach, for appellee.

PER CURIAM.

Appellant complains of errors in his sentencing on burglary and grand theft charges. We agree and reverse.

Appellant and the state jointly filed a Petition to Enter Plea of Guilty/Nolo Contendere which specifically provided:

12. I understand that both the entry of my plea and my sentencing may be done using an audio-visual device. This procedure will allow me to see the judge and hear all matters which are discussed in open court, and further, allow the judge to simultaneously see and hear me. I will have an opportunity to see and hear both my attorney, state attorney, and any witnesses that may come forth in these proceedings. I further understand that if my plea and/or sentencing are handled in this matter, a complete record of the proceedings will be made. I freely and voluntarily agree to the use of such audio-visual device for the taking of my plea and/or sentencing.

The sentencing hearing was held on July 23, 1990. Appellant was not physically present but was present by video.

The state and appellant were in dispute about the amount of restitution, and a hearing was set for August 27, 1990. Appellant agreed to waive his presence for this hearing. He was neither personally present nor present by video means. The victim testified as to her total loss as a result of the burglary and grand theft, and the trial court found the total restitution owed to the victim was $17,568.90. Appellant's counsel objected on the basis that appellant would not have the ability to pay this amount considering the information in the PSI of appellant's financial status. The trial court responded by orally ordering that the probation be extended from five years to twelve and a half years, to which appellant's counsel objected.

Appellant asserts that the trial court had no authority to extend appellant's probation period at the subsequent restitution hearing when sentence was already imposed at the earlier sentencing hearing. Appellant also asserts that the extension of his "sentence" of probation violates his double jeopardy rights. We agree.

Under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800(a) the court is permitted to correct an illegal sentence at any time. Under Rule 3.800(b) the revision of a legal sentence is allowed but only if it reduces the sentence. In Cherry v. State, 439 So.2d 998 (Fla. 4th DCA 1983), this court held that an increase in the sentence at a hearing held later in the day after adjournment of the original sentencing hearing was in contravention of this rule and also was expressly prohibited under...