JOSEPH WEBSTER, APPELLANT,
v.
STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE
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Webster appeals a trial court's denial of his motion for discharge under Florida's speedy trial rule, arguing that an arrest complaint filed in October 1983 should have triggered speedy trial rights rather than an arrest date entered months later in April 1984. The First District Court of Appeal affirms the trial court's denial, holding that administrative confinement does not constitute an arrest for speedy trial purposes.
The court holds that Webster was arrested on April 16, 1984, not at any earlier time. Administrative confinement does not constitute an arrest under the speedy trial rule, and the filing of a complaint report does not operate as an arrest when the defendant experiences no change in confinement status or loss of liberty beyond existing lawful imprisonment.
[1] A report filed with the clerk of court, which is nothing more than a written complaint and not evidence of an arrest, does not initiate the criminal process for speedy tr…
[2] Administrative confinement, such as being returned to correctional institution confinement after an escape attempt, is not considered an arrest under the speedy trial rul…
Previewing 2 of 4 headnotes on this case. FLexlaw’s editorially structured points of law — every proposition, pinpointed — are reserved for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“The "Arrest/Sworn Complaint" report is clear on its face that Webster was arrested on April 16, 1984.”
Establishes that the court found the arrest date on the report itself determinative of when arrest occurred for speedy trial purposes.
Previewing 1 of 3 key quotes on this case — the court’s exact language, pinpointed for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceOn September 24, 1983, Webster was apprehended by correctional officers while attempting to escape from Baker Correctional Institution. An "Arrest/Swo…
The full statement of facts, procedural history, and disposition for this case are member content.
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WIGGINTON, Judge.
Webster appeals from the trial court’s order denying his motion for discharge under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.191. We affirm.
On September 24, 1983, Webster was apprehended by correctional officers while he was attempting to escape from Baker Correctional Institution, and returned to confinement. On September 30, an employee of BCI prepared an “Arrest/Sworn Complaint” report wherein it was alleged that Webster had committed the offense of escape on September 24, 1983. Those areas on the report allowing for entries regarding time, date, and place of arrest were left blank. The report was filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court on October 4, 1983.
An information was subsequently filed on January 11, 1984, charging appellant with unlawful escape, or attempted escape from lawful confinement. Appellant entered a written plea of not guilty on January 26. A hearing was ultimately held on April 16, which was also the date then entered on the original “Arrest/Sworn Complaint” report as being the date Webster was arrested for the escape charge.
During the hearing, defense counsel orally moved for a speedy trial discharge, contending that appellant was taken into custody for speedy trial purposes on October 4, 1983, when the report was filed with the court clerk. Defense counsel argued that the filing of the complaint initiated the criminal process against Webster and operated as a restraint on his liberty, i.e., the escape complaint would impact adversely on his chances for parole. The trial court denied the motion for discharge, as it was of the opinion that the “ Arrest/Sworn Complaint” report was nothing more than a written complaint, and not evidence of an arrest.
On appeal, Webster argues that the report was the equivalent to the booking report in Perkins v. State, 457 So. 2d 1053, 1055 (Fla. 1st DCA 1984), held by this Court as providing sufficient evidence that a defendant was arrested for speedy trial purposes on the date set forth in the report. Webster maintains that to argue that the “Arrest/Sworn Complaint” report was executed on September 30, 1983, but that no arrest occurred until the capias was formally served on April 16, 1984, is to exalt form over substance.
The State contends that the operative fact of an actual arrest is missing in this case, which serves to distinguish it from Perkins and the other cases relied on by Webster. The State’s argument is that Webster has not shown any change in his confinement as a result of his capture, or that he suffered any loss of liberty different from that suffered by any other person who is apprehended, sent home unarrested, and later arrested, since Webster already resides in prison.
The State would analogize the circumstances of this case with those in Powers v. State, 422 So. 2d 981 (Fla. 1st DCA 1982), and Lynn v. State, 436 So. 2d 416 (Fla. 1st DCA 1983), wherein we held that administrative confinement is not an arrest under the speedy trial rule. We agree with this position. The “Arrest/Sworn Complaint” report is clear on its face that Webster was arrested on April 16, 1984. He has made no showing that he was actually arrested for the escape charge at any earlier time.
AFFIRMED.
THOMPSON, J., concurs.
WENTWORTH, J., dissents.
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Clary v. State, 481 So. 2d 996 (Fla. 1st DCA 1986)…PER CURIAM. AFFIRMED. See Webster v. State, 465 So. 2d 1327 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985). ERVIN and WIGGINTON, JJ., and McCORD, GUYTE P., Jr. (Ret.), Associate Judge, concur.…
Authorities Cited
- Powers v. State, 422 So. 2d 981 (Fla. 1st DCA 1982)
- Perkins v. State, 457 So. 2d 1053 (Fla. 1st DCA 1984)
- Lynn v. State, 436 So. 2d 416 (Fla. 1st DCA 1983)