STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLANT/CROSS-APPELLEE,
v.
GRANT HOUGHTAILING, APPELLEE/CROSS-APPELLANT
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The Florida appellate court addressed whether a trial judge properly handled a jury's guilty verdicts on both possession and purchasing cocaine charges. The court held that the trial judge erred by failing to adjudicate the possession count, remanding for the judge to either acquit or convict and sentence on that charge, as double jeopardy does not bar dual convictions for purchasing and possessing the same controlled substance.
The trial court erred by failing to render a judgment on the possession count. Double jeopardy does not prohibit conviction and sentencing on both purchasing and possessing the same controlled substance, as these are separate crimes under Florida law. The trial court must either adjudicate the defendant not guilty or adjudicate and sentence him on the possession count.
[1] A trial court must adjudicate and sentence a defendant found guilty of a crime, or adjudicate them not guilty for legally sufficient reasons, and cannot simply refuse to…
[2] Florida law permits separate convictions and sentences for the purchase and possession of the same controlled substance.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“Under this rule the trial court must adjudicate and sentence a defendant convicted of a crime, or in an appropriate case, adjudicate the defendant not guilty because of lack of sufficient evidence to convict, double jeopardy, or other legally sufficient reason. It cannot simply refuse to act.”
Establishes the mandatory duty of the trial court to render judgment on all guilty verdicts
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceHoughtailing purchased a $10 piece of cocaine from an undercover officer in a reverse sting operation. Police later stopped his vehicle and found the …
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W. SHARP, Judge.
The state appeals in a case where, after a jury verdict of guilty on two counts, possession of cocaine,1 and purchasing cocaine,2 the trial judge adjudicated the defendant, Houghtailing, guilty of purchasing cocaine and sentenced him for that crime, but failed to take any action concerning the possession count. Houghtailing cross-appeals various points, which we find have no merit. However, we find the trial court erred in taking no action with regard to the possession count and we remand for further proceedings.
In this case, the evidence disclosed that Houghtailing purchased a $10.00 piece of cocaine from Officer Diaz, an undercover officer working a reverse sting operation. Houghtailing’s vehicle was later stopped by a “take-down unit,” and the cocaine was found under the vehicle. He was charged with purchasing and possessing the rock of cocaine, and the jury found him guilty on both counts.
At sentencing, defense counsel argued his client could not be convicted of purchasing and possessing the same piece of cocaine under double jeopardy principles.3 Rather than ruling on this question, the trial court simply adjudicated Houghtailing guilty of purchasing the cocaine and sentenced him for that crime. It took no further action regarding the possession count.
Florida Rule of Criminal procedure 3.670 provides: If the defendant is found guilty, a judgment of guilty and, if the defendant has been acquitted, a judgment of not guilty shall be rendered in open court and in writing, signed by the judge, filed and recorded.
Under this rule the trial court must adjudicate and sentence a defendant convicted of a crime, or in an appropriate case, adjudicate the defendant not guilty because of lack of sufficient evidence to convict, double jeopardy, or other legally sufficient reason. It cannot simply refuse to act.
In this case, the trial court may have been attempting to avoid a double jeopardy problem. We note that at one time in this state our supreme court ruled that a defendant could not be convicted of selling and possessing the same quantum of contraband.4 However, after the amendment to section 775.021(4), Fla. Stat. (1987), the Court held that double jeopardy does not prevent conviction and sentence for both crimes. In State v. McCloud, 577 So. 2d 939 (Fla.1991), the court upheld a dual conviction for possession and sale of the same quantum of cocaine.
Further, in State v. Smith, 547 So. 2d 613 (Fla.1989), the court held that double jeopardy did not prevent the convictions and sentences for the crimes of sale of one rock of cocaine and possession with intent to sell that same rock. In this case, the crimes are different, but the logic of Smith and McCloud is controlling. The defendant purchased one rock of cocaine and drove off with it in his car. When stopped later by the police, he was still in possession of the same rock. Section 893.13(2)(a)l and 893.13(6)(a) make possession of a controlled substance, and its purchase separate crimes. Those sections provide:
Except as authorized by this chapter and chapter 499, it is unlawful for any person to purchase, or possess with intent to purchase, a controlled substance....
§ 893.13(2)(a).
* * * * * *
It is unlawful for any person to be in actual or constructive possession of a controlled substance unless such controlled substance was lawfully obtained from a practitioner or pursuant to a valid prescription. ...
§ 893.13(6)(a).
Accordingly, we remand this cause to the trial court for the purpose of rendering an order with regard to the possession count. If it is appropriate to adjudicate Houghtail-ing not guilty, it may do so; if not, it must adjudicate and sentence him for that crime. We do not think it necessary at this point to mandamus entry of an appropriate sentencing order, see Woodland v. Lindsey, 586 So. 2d 1255, 1256 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991), as we are certain the trial judge will competently carry out his judicial duties.
AFFIRMED in part; REMAND for further proceedings.
GRIFFIN, C.J., and DAUKSCH, J„ concur. . § 893.13(6)(a), Fla. Stat. (1995).
. § 893.13(2)(a), Fla. Stat. (1995).
.U.S. Const. 5th Amend; Art. I, § 9, Fla. Stat. . See State v. Burton, 555 So. 2d 1210 (Fla.1989); 547 So. 2d 613 (Fla.1989); Carawan v. State, 515 So. 2d 161 (Fla.1987).
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Murphy v. State, 16 So. 3d 269 (Fla. 5th DCA 2009)…of a crime, or in an appropriate ease, adjudicate the defendant not guilty due to a lack of sufficient evidence to convict, double jeopardy, or any other legally sufficient reason. The trial court may not simply refuse to act. State v. Houghtailing, 704 So. 2d 163, 164 (Fla. 5th DCA 1997). Accordingly, we remand this matter to the trial court for the purpose of rendering an order with regard to the attempted sexual battery charge. If it is appropriate to adjudicate Murphy not guilty of that charge, it may do…
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Netrievae White v. State, 183 So. 3d 1168 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016)…ed offense submitted to the jury and for resen-tencing. We find no other trial error in the case, but we direct the circuit court to enter a judgment of acquittal as tó Count I, consistent with the court’s ruling at trial. See State v. Houghtailing, 704 So. 2d 163 (Fla. 5th DCA 1997); Murphy v. State, 16 So. 3d 269 (Fla. 5th DCA 2009). Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded. . GROSS, GERBER and KLINGENSMITH, JJ., concur. . The jury instructions for the crime charged in this case state that the fo…
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Conage v. United States, 346 So. 3d 15 (Fla. 2022)…ot violated if a defendant is convicted of purchasing and possessing the same illegal drugs in a single transaction. Milhouse v. State, 37 So. 3d 862 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010); Psihogios v. State, 544 So. 2d 283 (Fla. 4th DCA 1989); State v. Houghtailing, 704 So. 2d 163 (Fla. 5th DCA 1997). These cases have no persuasive force, because in none did the deciding court define or analyze what constitutes either a purchase or possession. -5- II. The certified question is: How does Florida law define the term “purchase…
Previewing 3 of 5 citing cases — full citator treatment, depth of discussion, and citing context are member features.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceAuthorities Cited
- Dion Michael Carawan v. State, 515 So. 2d 161 (Fla. 1987)
- State v. Smith, 547 So. 2d 613 (Fla. 1989)
- State v. McCLOUD, 577 So. 2d 939 (Fla. 1991)
- Serpa v. State, 555 So. 2d 1210 (Fla. 1989)
- State v. Burton, 555 So. 2d 1210 (Fla. 1989)
- Woodland v. Honorable Hubert R. Lindsey, 586 So. 2d 1255 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991)