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S.M.W. v. State

Citations: 497 So. 2d 1337; 11 Fla. L. Weekly 2480; 1986 Fla. App. LEXIS 10873Docket: No. 86-1045

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida; November 25, 1986; Florida; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The appellate court determined that the appellant did not demonstrate any reversible error in the case. However, it identified an error concerning the imposition of a public defender’s lien against the appellant, who had been adjudicated as insolvent. The trial court had granted the state attorney's motion to assess a $250 lien without providing adequate notice or an opportunity for the appellant to be heard. Consequently, the court struck the lien assessment. The ruling is based on Florida Statute 27.56(7) and is supported by precedent cases, including Jenkins v. State and Harris v. State. The court clarified that this ruling does not prevent the trial court from reassessing a lien against the appellant in the future, provided proper notice and a hearing are conducted. All other aspects of the judgment and sentence were affirmed. Judges Scheb, Ryder, and Schoonover concurred with the decision.

Legal Issues Addressed

Future Reassessment of Public Defender’s Lien

Application: The court's decision allows for the reassessment of the lien against the appellant, contingent upon adherence to due process requirements.

Reasoning: The court clarified that this ruling does not prevent the trial court from reassessing a lien against the appellant in the future, provided proper notice and a hearing are conducted.

Public Defender’s Lien Imposition

Application: The trial court erroneously imposed a lien against an insolvent appellant without proper notice or a hearing, leading to the appellate court striking the lien.

Reasoning: The trial court had granted the state attorney's motion to assess a $250 lien without providing adequate notice or an opportunity for the appellant to be heard.

Requirements for Imposing a Public Defender's Lien

Application: The ruling emphasized the necessity of proper notice and a hearing before imposing a public defender's lien, as outlined in Florida Statute 27.56(7) and supported by precedent.

Reasoning: The ruling is based on Florida Statute 27.56(7) and is supported by precedent cases, including Jenkins v. State and Harris v. State.

Reversible Error

Application: The court found no reversible error in the appellant's claims, affirming the judgment and sentence in all respects except for the public defender's lien issue.

Reasoning: The appellate court determined that the appellant did not demonstrate any reversible error in the case.