Court Filings

The Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's denial of the appellant Timothy Joseph Ferguson's challenge in three criminal cases. The panel issued a short per curiam opinion, relying on precedent to hold that the defendant was not entitled to an express written explanation for the denial of a motion to downward departure from sentencing. The court cited Venter v. State to support its view that due process does not require a specific explanation for such denials and therefore found no reversible error.

The Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's revocation of Jason Brandon Mervil's probation. The court held that the evidence supporting revocation was sufficient because the hearsay presented at the probation revocation hearing was corroborated by non-hearsay evidence and an experienced officer's opinion on identification was permissible. The panel relied on prior Florida decisions establishing that hearsay may be used at revocation hearings only when supported by non-hearsay proof and that trained officers may opine about controlled substances. The judgment below is therefore affirmed.

The Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed Henry Wilson’s convictions for aggravated assault with a firearm, burglary of a conveyance while armed, and resisting an officer without violence. The court held that pretrial exclusion of public statements by Governor DeSantis and the county sheriff about the right to bear arms and tough-on-crime rhetoric was not an abuse of discretion because those generalized statements were not relevant to Wilson’s subjective belief or the objective reasonableness required by Florida’s defense-of-property statute. The court did remand for the trial court to enter separate written sentences for each count to conform to its oral pronouncements.

The Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's rulings in a criminal prosecution of Luis Enrique Juarbe. The appellate panel concluded the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting other-act evidence under Florida's child-molestation evidence statute and related precedent, and that the trial court's handling of evidentiary and mistrial issues was within its broad discretion. The court relied on statutory language and controlling case law addressing admissibility, relevance, similarity, remoteness, and the doctrine of opening the door to support its decision to affirm.

The Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the defendant George Walton’s criminal conviction. The court reviewed whether the evidence was legally sufficient and applied the established standard: viewing the record in the light most favorable to the State, asking whether a rational factfinder could have found the crime’s elements beyond a reasonable doubt. Citing Florida precedent, the panel concluded the State presented competent, substantial evidence to support the verdict and denied Walton’s challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence.

The Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's decision in a criminal postconviction appeal brought by Ira Lee Pickett. The appeal was filed under the Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure governing appeals in criminal cases from nonfinal orders or specified postconviction rulings. The panel issued a short per curiam opinion on April 22, 2026, summarily rejecting Pickett's challenge and leaving the lower court's ruling intact. No extended opinion, reasoning, or separate opinions were published with the affirmation.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal reviewed Gary W. Lucas, Jr.'s appeal from a Duval County circuit court criminal case. The panel issued a per curiam decision on April 21, 2026, and concluded the appeal lacked merit, affirming the judgment below. No published opinion or extended reasoning accompanied the single-line disposition; the court simply announced AFFIRMED and recorded concurrence by the three judges. The decision is subject to any timely post‑opinion motions under Florida appellate rules.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal reviewed Carl Joseph Johnson's appeal from Seminole County circuit court criminal proceedings and, in a brief per curiam decision dated April 21, 2026, affirmed the lower court's ruling. The opinion contains no extended explanation or reasoning, and the panel (Chief Judge Jay and Judges Eisnaugle and Boatwright) issued a unanimous affirmance. The mandate is subject to timely post-judgment motions under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.330 or 9.331.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal affirmed the lower court's judgment in the criminal case of Brent Paul Venrooy v. State of Florida. The opinion is per curiam, dated April 21, 2026, and provides no published reasoning beyond the single-word disposition "AFFIRMED." The panel of judges (Lambert, Soud, Boatwright) concurred. The decision notes the case came from the Circuit Court for St. Johns County and that any timely post-opinion motions under Florida appellate rules may still be filed.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal reviewed Viswanauth Somwaru's appeal from the trial court's denial of a postconviction motion under Florida Rule 3.850. After briefing and oral argument, the appellate court issued a short, per curiam decision on April 21, 2026, holding that the lower court's ruling would be affirmed. The opinion contains no extended reasoning in the published entry; it simply affirms the circuit court's disposition and notes the panel members who concurred.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's judgment in the criminal case of Matthew Lucas Wade. The appeal arose from a conviction in Citrus County circuit court and was argued by Wade's public defenders against the State. The per curiam opinion contains no published reasoning beyond the court's conclusion to affirm. All three panel judges concurred and the opinion notes that the decision is not final until any timely authorized post-judgment motions are resolved.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal reviewed Christine Marie Lackey's appeals from three circuit-court criminal cases in Sumter County. After considering the record and briefs, the panel issued a unanimous per curiam decision affirming the judgments below. The opinion contains no extended discussion or legal analysis; it simply announces that the appellate court affirms the trial-court rulings. Judges Wallis, Harris, and Maciver concurred, and the opinion notes the decision is not final until any timely post-opinion motions are resolved.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's decision in the criminal matter involving Keith Taurus Hamlet, Sr. The appeal was taken under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.141(b)(2) from the Circuit Court for Orange County. The appellate court issued a short per curiam opinion—stating only 'AFFIRMED'—with three judges concurring and without published reasoning in the opinion excerpt provided. The defendant represented himself on appeal; the State was represented by the Attorney General's office.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal reviewed an appeal by Colbert Cherubin from a Polk County circuit court decision and, in a per curiam opinion, affirmed the lower court's judgment. The opinion contains no extended discussion, reasoning, or explanation beyond the court's unanimous decision to affirm. The panel consisted of Judges Smith, Brownlee, and Kamoutsas, and counsel for both sides are noted. The decision was entered April 21, 2026, and is subject to the normal deadline for a motion for rehearing.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal reviewed a criminal appeal by Aron Rodriguez-Villasana from the Polk County circuit court under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.141(b)(2). The court issued a per curiam opinion on April 21, 2026, affirming the lower court's judgment. No separate written opinion or explanation of reasoning is provided in the published entry; the panel of three judges concurred. The decision becomes final when the time to file a motion for rehearing expires or any filed rehearing motion is resolved.

The First District Court of Appeal reviewed Wesley Bunsee's appeal from a decision of the Circuit Court for Escambia County and issued a per curiam decision on April 21, 2026. The appellate court affirmed the lower court's judgment without published opinion. The panel (Roberts, Ray, and Treadwell, JJ.) concurred, and the opinion notes that the judgment is not final until any timely post-judgment appellate motions are resolved. Counsel for both parties are listed in the record.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal reviewed an appeal by Wesley Bunsee from a decision of the Circuit Court for Escambia County. The appellate court issued a short, per curiam opinion on April 21, 2026, concluding simply: AFFIRMED. No opinion explanation or discussion of the issues appears in the published entry; the judgment of the lower court therefore stands. The panel consisted of Judges Roberts, Ray, and Treadwell, and counsel for the parties are noted in the filing.

The First District Court of Appeal reviewed Robert D. Allen's appeal from a decision of the Circuit Court for Escambia County. After considering the record, the appellate court issued a per curiam decision on April 21, 2026, affirming the lower court's judgment. The opinion is brief: it announces affirmation without published opinion or extended explanation, and the three-judge panel concurred. The decision noted that it is not final until any timely authorized post-judgment appellate motions are resolved.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal reviewed Terry L. Young's appeal from the Circuit Court for Orange County and issued a per curiam opinion on April 21, 2026. The court affirmed the lower court's decision. The short opinion contains only the disposition (affirmed), notes that the opinion is not final until the rehearing period expires, and records that Young appeared pro se while the State did not file a responding appearance.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal affirmed a County Court judgment in a criminal/procedural matter. The appeal was filed by Kendrick Tyron Perry, Sr., pro se, from a decision of the County Court for Lee County (Judge Devin S. George). The appellate court issued a per curiam opinion on April 21, 2026, concluding the lower-court judgment should stand. No detailed reasoning, facts, or issues are provided in the published entry beyond the affirmance and the court of appeal judges concurring.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal reviewed Justus Pierce's appeal from a Lee County circuit court criminal matter and affirmed the lower court's decision. The opinion is per curiam, brief, and provides no extended reasoning in the published text. The panel (Traver, C.J., White and Gannam, JJ.) voted to affirm the judgment below. The decision was issued April 21, 2026, and counsel for both parties are identified in the filing.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal reviewed Jamal T. Jackson’s appeal from the circuit court in Orange County and affirmed the lower court’s decision. The opinion is per curiam, brief, and provides no published reasoning beyond affirmance. The appeal was taken pursuant to the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure and the panel affirmed the judgment below. The court noted the usual rehearing period and that the decision is not final until that period expires and any timely rehearing is resolved.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal unanimously affirmed the trial court's decision in the criminal case of Casey Lynn Hennings. The appeal arose from proceedings in the Circuit Court for Orange County. The appellate court issued a per curiam opinion, concluding there was no reversible error warranting relief. No separate written opinion or reasoning was published; the court affirmed the lower court's ruling and the panel members concurred.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal reviewed Antwan D. Johnson's appeal from a Polk County circuit court decision and, in a short per curiam order, affirmed the lower court's judgment. The opinion is brief, contains no published reasoning, and the panel of judges concurred. The decision was issued April 21, 2026, and notes that it is not final until the time to file a motion for rehearing expires and any timely motion is resolved.

The First District Court of Appeal reviewed Jerry Ray Walker's appeal from a Bay County circuit court decision. After consideration, the panel issued a per curiam opinion affirming the lower court's ruling. No opinion elaborating reasons was published; the judgment of the circuit court stands. The decision was entered April 21, 2026, and the court noted that the mandate is not final until resolution of any timely post-judgment motions under the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.

The First District Court of Appeal reviewed a criminal appeal by appellant Aaroney Okevious Reed from a decision of the Circuit Court for Escambia County. The appellate court issued a brief per curiam opinion on April 21, 2026, and affirmed the lower court's judgment. No published opinion explaining the court's reasoning appears in the document; the court simply announced its disposition and noted concurrence by the three judges. The decision is subject to any timely post-judgment motions permitted by Florida appellate rules.

The First District Court of Appeal issued a one-sentence per curiam decision affirming the lower court's judgment involving appellant Davion Hadden and the State of Florida. The appeal came from the Circuit Court for Leon County, before Judge Stephen Everett. No opinion explaining the court's reasoning or the issues on appeal appears in the document; the court simply affirmed the judgment and noted concurrence by the three judges. The decision is subject to timely post-judgment motions under Florida appellate rules.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal reviewed an appeal by Shaquille Berod Solomon from a decision of the Circuit Court for Escambia County. The appellate court, in a per curiam opinion, affirmed the lower court's decision without published opinion on April 20, 2026. The court provided no extended reasoning in the opinion beyond the single-word disposition and noted concurrence by the three judges. The decision is subject to any timely post-judgment motions under Florida appellate rules.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal affirmed the lower court's decision in the criminal case of Marlo Michelle Lauritzen. The appeal, from the Circuit Court for Escambia County, was decided per curiam on April 20, 2026, with Judges Lewis, Rowe, and Nordby concurring. The opinion contains a single-line disposition: AFFIRMED. No additional reasoning, issues, or factual background is provided in the published entry.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal reviewed Michael Shawn Hastings's appeal from a decision of the Circuit Court for Escambia County. In a per curiam opinion filed April 20, 2026, the appellate court affirmed the lower court's judgment. The opinion is brief and provides no extended reasoning; the panel unanimously affirmed the trial court's ruling and noted that the decision is not final until any timely authorized post-judgment motion is resolved.