Narrative Opinion Summary
The United States Supreme Court vacated the decision in State v. Sueiro, 487 So.2d 1071 (Fla. 1986), and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Miller v. Florida, U.S. 107 S.Ct. 2446 (1987). The prior ruling, which relied on State v. Jackson, 478 So.2d 1054 (Fla. 1985), quashed a portion of the Sueiro decision that stated that sentencing guidelines in effect at the time of sentencing could not be applied. The court has now receded from Jackson to the extent it conflicts with Miller. Consequently, the district court's decision is reinstated, Sueiro's sentence is vacated, and the case is remanded to the circuit court for resentencing based on the guidelines applicable at the time of the offense. The ruling is unanimous among the justices.
Legal Issues Addressed
Application of Sentencing Guidelinessubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The court determined that sentencing guidelines in effect at the time of the offense should be applied, rather than those at the time of sentencing.
Reasoning: Consequently, the district court's decision is reinstated, Sueiro's sentence is vacated, and the case is remanded to the circuit court for resentencing based on the guidelines applicable at the time of the offense.
Authority of Supreme Court Precedentssubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The decision in Miller v. Florida prompted the vacating and remanding of the case for reconsideration, indicating the binding nature of Supreme Court precedents on lower courts.
Reasoning: The United States Supreme Court vacated the decision in State v. Sueiro... and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Miller v. Florida.
Precedent and Overrulingsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The court receded from its prior decision in State v. Jackson to the extent it conflicted with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Miller v. Florida.
Reasoning: The court has now receded from Jackson to the extent it conflicts with Miller.