You are viewing a free summary from Descrybe.ai. For citation checking, legal issue analysis, and other advanced tools, explore our Legal Research Toolkit — not free, but close.

State v. Lawrence

Citations: 948 So. 2d 724; 2007 Fla. LEXIS 12; 2007 WL 108371Docket: No. SC06-81

Court: Supreme Court of Florida; January 17, 2007; Florida; State Supreme Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The court reviewed the case of Lawrence v. State, 918 So.2d 368, where the Third District Court of Appeal reversed a trial court’s order revoking probation. This decision relied on the precedent established in State v. Harden, 873 So.2d 352, which was still under review by the Florida Supreme Court at the time of the Lawrence decision. The Supreme Court affirmed the Third District Court's decision in Harden prior to addressing Lawrence. Following this affirmation, the Supreme Court ordered the appellant to explain why Lawrence should not be summarily affirmed based on the Harden ruling. The appellant acknowledged that Harden was applicable and agreed to the summary affirmance of Lawrence. The appellee's motion to dismiss the appeal as moot, due to the State's Nolle Prosequi on all charges against him, was denied. The Supreme Court thus summarily affirmed the Third District's decision in Lawrence. All justices concurred in this ruling.

Legal Issues Addressed

Denial of Motion to Dismiss as Moot

Application: The Supreme Court denied the motion to dismiss the appeal as moot despite the State's Nolle Prosequi on all charges.

Reasoning: The appellee's motion to dismiss the appeal as moot, due to the State's Nolle Prosequi on all charges against him, was denied.

Precedential Value of State v. Harden

Application: The decision in Lawrence was influenced by the precedent established in State v. Harden, which was affirmed by the Supreme Court, thereby supporting the reversal in Lawrence.

Reasoning: This decision relied on the precedent established in State v. Harden, 873 So.2d 352, which was still under review by the Florida Supreme Court at the time of the Lawrence decision.

Reversal of Probation Revocation

Application: The Third District Court of Appeal reversed the trial court’s order revoking probation based on the precedent set in a related case.

Reasoning: The court reviewed the case of Lawrence v. State, 918 So.2d 368, where the Third District Court of Appeal reversed a trial court’s order revoking probation.

Summary Affirmance by Supreme Court

Application: The Supreme Court summarily affirmed the decision in Lawrence after the appellant conceded that the Harden ruling was applicable.

Reasoning: The Supreme Court ordered the appellant to explain why Lawrence should not be summarily affirmed based on the Harden ruling. The appellant acknowledged that Harden was applicable and agreed to the summary affirmance of Lawrence.