DAVID HARRIS, APPELLANT,
v.
STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE
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Harris appeals his conviction for battery on a law enforcement officer after his drug possession convictions were reversed on appeal due to an unlawful stop. The court affirms the battery conviction, holding that testimony regarding the unlawful stop is admissible as inextricably intertwined evidence and that an illegal stop does not automatically negate the lawful performance of duty element required for battery on a law enforcement officer.
The court affirmed Harris's conviction for battery on a law enforcement officer, holding that: (1) testimony regarding the unlawful stop is admissible under Florida Statutes section 90.402 as inextricably intertwined evidence necessary to provide context for the officer's presence; and (2) an illegal stop does not automatically preclude conviction for battery on a law enforcement officer because such conviction does not require that the stop itself be lawful.
[1] Otherwise inadmissible evidence that is inextricably intertwined with admissible evidence may be allowed to provide context for an otherwise admissible charge.
[2] An illegal stop does not automatically preclude a conviction for battery on a law enforcement officer.
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“Otherwise inadmissible evidence that is inextricably intertwined with admissible evidence may be allowed under section 90.402, Florida Statutes (1993).”
Establishes the legal doctrine permitting admission of evidence regarding the unlawful stop for context in the battery prosecution.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligencePolice arrested Harris during narcotics surveillance when he pulled over to pick up a three-inch pill bottle from the street. An officer stopped his c…
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PER CURIAM.
We deny the motion for rehearing but grant with regard to clarification. We withdraw our previously issued opinion and substitute the following in its place.
The defendant appeals his sentence for battery on a law enforcement officer. We affirm.
Police arrested the defendant during surveillance of an area for narcotics activity. The defendant was driving through the area when he pulled over to pick up a three-inch pill bottle from the street. An officer stopped his car, and a search of the car revealed a controlled substance. During the stop, the defendant struck the officer. The trial court denied the defendant’s motion to suppress the contraband, and a jury convicted the defendant of possession of cocaine, battery on a law enforcement officer, and possession of marijuana. This Court reversed the denial of the motion to suppress, holding that merely picking up a bottle from the street did not give rise to the reasonable suspicion or probable cause necessary for search and seizure. Harris v. State, 761 So. 2d 1186 (Fla. 4th DCA 2000). We issued a mandate commanding the lower court to hold proceedings consistent with that opinion.
On remand, the trial court dismissed the two counts of possession. However, it adjudicated him guilty of battery on a law enforcement officer. The defendant now challenges his conviction contending that the State could only prove simple battery without testimony regarding the illegal stop. He argues that our previous ruling precludes such testimony.
Otherwise inadmissible evidence that is inextricably intertwined with admissible evidence may be allowed under section 90.402, Florida Statutes (1993). See Coolen v. State, 696 So. 2d 738 (Fla.1997) (admitting confession of prior crime to establish the entire context out of which the instant crime arose).
In this case, testimony regarding the unlawful stop is inextricably intertwined with the evidence relevant to the battery on a law enforcement officer because some information about the stop is needed for context. At minimum some explanation of the officer’s presence is necessary. Even though such evidence would be inadmissible for other purposes, as we previously ruled, it is admissible here pursuant to section 90.402, Florida Statutes (1993).
However, not all the evidence presented at the defendant’s trial was relevant to the remaining charge of battery on a law enforcement officer. The original trial contained extensive testimony regarding the drugs in effort to sustain a conviction for possession with intent to sell, which was in the defendant’s original charge. Such testimony, including a narcotics expert testifying that the quantity was consistent with an intent to sell, is not relevant to the present charge and does not fall under the inextricably intertwined evidence doctrine. Nevertheless, we do not grant a'new trial because the admission of this evidence is not reversible error since the defendant does not contest that he hit the officer. See State v. DiGuilio, 491 So. 2d 1129 (Fla.1986).
The defendant further contends that our previous ruling negates an essential element of battery on a law enforcement officer. Section 784.07 of the Florida Statutes requires that the officer be engaged in the lawful performance of his or' her duties at the time of the battery. However, an illegal stop does not automatically preclude a conviction for battery on a law enforcement officer. See Dominique v. State, 590 So. 2d 1059 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991) (holding that an illegal investigative stop was not a defense to battery of a known police officer engaged in lawful performance of his duties).
In conclusion, we affirm the defendant’s conviction for battery on a law enforcement officer. AFFIRMED.
POLEN, C.J., GUNTHER and WARNER JJ., concur.
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Perry v. State, 846 So. 2d 584 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003)…disagree with appellant’s argument that the rule prohibiting the use of force against a known police officer is limited to an arrest situation. Rather, courts have extended it to apply to illegal stops, searches, and detentions. See Harris v. State, 801 So. 2d 321 (Fla. 4th DCA 2001)(holding that an illegal stop does not automatically preclude a conviction for bat [*588] tery on a law enforcement officer); Dominique v. State, 590 So. 2d 1059 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991)(holding that an illegal investigative stop was n…
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Watson v. State, 974 So. 2d 1168 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008)…on which cites controlling authority that is pending review in Florida Supreme Court allows supreme court to exercise jurisdiction). On direct appeal, the State relied on Dominique v. State, 590 So. 2d 1059 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991), and Harris v. State, 801 So. 2d 321, 323 (Fla. 4th DCA 2001), decisions applying section 776.051(1) and holding that the illegality of a detention was not a defense to charges of battery on a law enforcement officer. The supreme court’s decision in Tillman overruled Dominique and Harr…
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Harris v. State, 870 So. 2d 790 (Fla. 2004)…BELL, J. We initially accepted jurisdiction to review Harris v. State, 801 So. 2d 321 (Fla. 4th DCA 2001), a decision alleged to be in express and direct conflict with Taylor v. State, 740 So. 2d 89 (Fla. 1st DCA 1999). See art. V, § 3(b)(3), Fla. Const. Upon further consideration, we have now determined that we should exercise our d…
Authorities Cited
- State v. DiGUILIO, 491 So. 2d 1129 (Fla. 1986)
- Coolen v. State, 696 So. 2d 738 (Fla. 1997)
- Harris v. State, 761 So. 2d 1186 (Fla. 4th DCA 2000)
- Dominique v. State, 590 So. 2d 1059 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991)