Court Filings

The Sixth District Court of Appeal affirmed the circuit court's judgment in the criminal case of Terrelle A. Tullis. The appeal was taken pursuant to Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.141(b)(2). The court concluded that a life sentence is clear and definite in meaning and upheld the sentencing outcome, relying on Ratliff v. State to support that the Legislature intends a life sentence to keep a defendant in prison for the remainder of life.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal affirmed the circuit court's decision in the criminal case of Lace Melitta Heflin. The appeal was considered under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.141(b)(2). The court relied on Ratliff v. State to conclude that a statutory life sentence is sufficiently definite and means the defendant is intended to remain in prison for the rest of her life, so no error warranted reversal.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's decision in appellant Edgar E. Oliver's appeal from a Collier County circuit court order. The panel, writing per curiam, held that a statutory sentence of life imprisonment is intended by the Legislature to keep a defendant in prison for the remainder of his life, citing Ratliff v. State. No further factual discussion or modification of the sentence was provided; the appeal was disposed of by a short opinion affirming the lower court.

The District Court of Appeal, Second District, dismissed Denice Ranee Reavely’s appeal from a Hillsborough County Court decision. The filing shows the case was before a three-judge panel, and the court’s one-line per curiam disposition simply states “Dismissed.” No reasoning, factual background, or legal analysis appears in the published entry, and the opinion is marked subject to revision before official publication.

The Florida Second District Court of Appeal affirmed the lower court's ruling in an appeal brought by Lary Scott Morris against the State of Florida. The appellate panel issued a brief per curiam decision—without published opinion—concluding that the trial court's decision was correct and required no change. All three judges concurred, and the opinion is subject to revision before official publication. No additional reasoning or factual background was provided in the court's short order.

The Second District Court of Appeal affirmed the circuit court's summary denial of a postconviction motion by Angel Gabriel Mejia. Mejia argued that a single sentence in his pro se 3.850 motion raised an involuntary-plea claim based on counsel's alleged failure to advise him about a 25-year mandatory minimum. The appellate court held that the motion did not fairly present that distinct claim and, in any event, the plea colloquy and corrected plea form conclusively refuted the allegation because Mejia was expressly advised of the mandatory minimums and acknowledged understanding them in open court.

The Second District Court of Appeal affirmed Craig Edward Leeks' convictions and sentences for second-degree murder and improper exhibition of a firearm. Leeks argued the trial court erred by not entering a written competency order and by not conducting a full competency hearing. The appellate court found the trial judge made adequate oral findings of competency, relied on a prior psychological evaluation, repeatedly questioned Leeks during the proceedings, and observed no lapse in competency. Because Leeks did not raise the omission below and has not shown fundamental error, the failure to reduce the competency finding to a written order did not require reversal.

The Second District Court of Appeal reviewed Kyle Kemp's appeal from the Pinellas County Circuit Court under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.141(b)(2). After consideration, the panel issued a per curiam decision affirming the lower court's judgment. The opinion is concise, lists the judges who concurred, and notes it may be revised before official publication. No reasoning or factual discussion is included in the published entry beyond the affirmance.

The Florida Second District Court of Appeal affirmed the lower court's decision in the criminal matter of Scott Warren Cullen v. State of Florida. The appeal challenged an order from the Circuit Court for Sarasota County, but the appellate court, in a per curiam decision, unanimously affirmed the judgment below. No extended opinion or separate written reasoning was provided in the published entry; the court's brief ruling concludes the appeal lacks merit and upholds the trial-court outcome.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal affirmed Neely Petrie-Blanchard’s conviction for first-degree murder but reversed her mandatory life sentence and remanded for resentencing because the trial court failed to renew the offer of counsel before sentencing. Although Petrie-Blanchard validly waived counsel and proceeded pro se at trial after an adequate Faretta inquiry, the court did not re-offer counsel at the separate, critical sentencing stage. The panel held that failing to renew the offer of counsel at sentencing is fundamental error and requires resentencing with appointed counsel or an explicit waiver.

The Fifth District granted Joseph Edward Jordan’s petition for certiorari, concluding the trial court wrongly allowed the State to conduct a mental-health examination for a Hurst resentencing despite the State’s failure to give written notice within 45 days of arraignment. The court held that Florida statute §782.04(1)(b) and rule 3.181 require notice within 45 days of arraignment, and that the phrase “timely written notice” in rule 3.202 must be read to mean the statutorily mandated 45-day deadline. Because the trial court’s order conflicted with the statute and rule and would cause irreparable harm, the petition was granted.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s denial of J.J.A.’s motion to suppress but reversed the juvenile disposition order adjudicating him delinquent for possession of a firearm by a minor. The appellate court found the disposition order failed to state the statutory maximum penalty and did not award or specify predisposition credit for time served, as required by Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.115(d)(2). Because the commitment at issue is effectively determinate (it will end before the department’s authority expires), the court ordered the trial court to enter a corrected disposition specifying the maximum penalty and the amount of credit.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal reversed a trial court's denial of Dearek Randy Williams's motion to withdraw a nolo contendere plea to trafficking in fentanyl. Williams argued his plea was involuntary because trial counsel misadvised him that he could later appeal and "be out," which induced him to accept a mandatory 15-year sentence. The appellate court held that affirmative misadvice of counsel can create a manifest injustice rendering a plea involuntary, cited controlling precedent, and remanded the case for further proceedings on Williams's withdrawal motion.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal reviewed Nicholas Allen McDuffie's appeal from a Brevard County circuit court criminal matter and issued a brief per curiam decision on April 30, 2026. The appellate court unanimously affirmed the lower court's judgment. No written opinion or reasoning is provided in the published entry; the court's sole action was to affirm the circuit court's ruling. The decision notes that the opinion is not final until any timely motions under the Florida rules of appellate procedure are resolved.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal reviewed an appeal by Cory Tanner from a decision of the Circuit Court for Leon County. The appellate court issued a per curiam opinion on April 30, 2026, and affirmed the lower court's decision without published opinion. The panel (Rowe, Nordby, and Long, JJ.) concurred. The opinion notes that the judgment is not final until the time for certain post‑opinion motions under Florida appellate rules has passed.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal reviewed Jonathan Adam Jones's appeal from a judgment of the Circuit Court for Jackson County. The appellate panel issued a per curiam decision on April 30, 2026, and affirmed the lower court's decision. No written opinion explaining the court's reasoning was published in this entry; the court simply announced affirmance with Judges Ray, Winokur, and Treadwell concurring. The mandate may issue after disposition of any timely post-judgment motions under the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal reviewed Chandler Washington's appeal from a Leon County circuit court decision and, in a per curiam opinion, affirmed the lower court's judgment. The opinion is terse: the panel announced its decision to affirm without extended explanation. All three judges concurred, and the opinion notes the ruling is not final until any timely, authorized rehearing motions are resolved. Chandler Washington appeared pro se; the State was represented by the Attorney General's office.

The Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the county court's decision in a criminal matter. Thomas Souffrant appealed a judgment from Broward County (case no. 062023MM006736A88810). After review, the appellate court, per curiam, concluded the lower court's ruling should be upheld and entered an affirmance. The opinion was brief, without published reasoning, and the court noted the decision is not final until any timely motion for rehearing is resolved.

The Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment below in a criminal case. The appeal by Stravious B. Johnson from his conviction/sentencing in the Circuit Court for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, St. Lucie County, was reviewed and the appellate panel unanimously affirmed the lower court's decision. The opinion is per curiam, with concurrence from all three judges. The opinion does not state detailed reasoning in the published entry and notes the decision is not final until any timely motion for rehearing is resolved.

The Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's rulings in two consolidated criminal cases brought by the State of Florida against Hector Calderon. The appeal was taken from the Circuit Court for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County. The appellate court issued a brief per curiam decision affirming the lower court's disposition without published opinion; the decision remains subject to a timely motion for rehearing. No additional reasoning or factual discussion appears in the opinion.

The Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's judgment in the criminal case of Carlensky Deneville. The appeal was taken from a conviction or judgment entered in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County. The appellate court issued a brief per curiam opinion simply stating 'Affirmed' without published reasoning, with three judges concurring. The opinion notes it is not final until any timely motion for rehearing is resolved.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's judgment in a criminal case in which James William Chaney appealed his conviction or sentence. The appeal arose from the Circuit Court for Lake County before Judge Brian J. Welke. The appellate court issued a brief per curiam decision on April 30, 2026, simply stating 'AFFIRMED' with all judges concurring, and provided no published opinion or extended reasoning in the decision document provided.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal reviewed multiple consolidated appeals in which the State challenged rulings involving defendant Jadarius Brown. After consideration, the court issued a per curiam opinion on April 30, 2026, affirming the lower court's decision. The opinion is brief: it affirms the judgment of the trial court without published opinion or extended explanation, and the three-judge panel concurred. The mandate is subject to any timely rehearing motions under Florida appellate rules.

The Florida Supreme Court reversed a circuit court order that denied death-row inmate James Aren Duckett access to the underlying DNA testing data from a private laboratory. Duckett had obtained a court-ordered DNA test of a 1987 swab but sought the raw data so a qualified bioinformaticist could perform further statistical analysis (SNP/Y-SNP data). The Court held the statute and rule permitting postconviction DNA testing require production of the underlying data once testing is ordered and completed. The Court affirmed denial of Duckett’s public-records requests for the lab’s testing process and protocols and remanded for provision of the underlying data, with an evidentiary hearing if disputes over scope arise.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal reviewed Michael Evan Holley’s appeal from a Union County circuit court decision and, in a per curiam opinion dated April 29, 2026, affirmed the lower court’s judgment. The opinion is brief: the court announced its unanimous decision to affirm and provided no extended written reasoning. The panel noted the availability of timely post-opinion motions under Florida appellate rules and identified counsel for both sides.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal reviewed De Ante George Green's appeal from the Leon County Circuit Court and, in a brief per curiam decision dated April 29, 2026, affirmed the lower court's judgment. The opinion contains no stated reasoning beyond the single-word disposition and notes that the decision is not final until timely post-judgment motions under Florida appellate rules are resolved. The panel of judges Lewis, Roberts, and Kelsey concurred. Green appeared pro se; the State was represented by the Attorney General's office.

The Florida Second District Court of Appeal reviewed an appeal by Bobby Lee Johnson from a Pinellas County circuit court judgment and, in a brief per curiam opinion, affirmed the lower court's decision. The opinion contains no published reasoning or citation; the panel affirmed the judgment below and all three judges concurred. The opinion is subject to revision before official publication.

The court reviewed Andre Hunter's appeal from a Manatee County circuit court decision under Florida appellate rules. The Second District Court of Appeal, in a per curiam decision, affirmed the lower court's ruling. The opinion is short, unsigned, and gives no published reasoning; it simply states the judgment is affirmed and that the opinion may be revised before official publication.

The Second District Court of Appeal of Florida considered an appeal by Jason Casanas from a decision of the Circuit Court for Hillsborough County. The appellate court issued a brief per curiam opinion concluding that the circuit court's ruling should be affirmed. No extended reasoning, factual background, or specific legal issues are discussed in the published entry; the panel of judges concurred and the opinion was filed April 29, 2026.

The Second District Court of Appeal of Florida reviewed a pro se appeal by Labronx Bailey from a Hillsborough County circuit court order under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.141(b)(2). The appellate court, in a per curiam opinion, affirmed the lower court's decision. No substantive reasoning or opinion text is provided in the published entry beyond the single-word disposition and concurrence by three judges. The opinion may be revised before official publication.