What did the court decide?

The court affirmed the lower court's denial of the appellant's postconviction motion, meaning the appeal was unsuccessful.

Who is affected by this decision?

The immediate effect is on appellant John M. Johnson, Jr.; the State of Florida prevailed in the appeal.

Does this decision explain why the appeal was denied?

No. The opinion is a short per curiam affirmance and does not include the court's detailed reasoning or analysis.

Can this be challenged further?

The decision notes it is not final until any timely and authorized motions under Florida appellate rules are resolved; further review (such as a motion for rehearing or a petition to the Florida Supreme Court) may be possible subject to rule-based requirements and time limits.

John M. Johnson, Jr. v. State of Florida

Docket 5D2025-3314

Court of record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

Criminal AppealAffirmed

Filed: Apr 16, 2026 · 2 weeks ago
Jurisdiction: Florida
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida
Type: Opinion
Case type: Criminal Appeal
Disposition: Affirmed
Docket: 5D2025-3314

Appeal from denial of a Rule 3.850 postconviction motion in a criminal case in the Circuit Court for Duval County

Summary

The Fifth District Court of Appeal reviewed a pro se appeal by John M. Johnson, Jr. from the denial of his Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850 postconviction motion in the Circuit Court for Duval County. The appellate court issued a per curiam decision on April 16, 2026, summarily rejecting the appeal and affirming the lower court's ruling. No extended opinion or substantive reasoning is included in the published disposition; the court simply affirmed the trial court's action and noted that the decision is not final until any timely motions under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.330 or 9.331 are resolved.

Issue Decided

Whether the trial court erred in denying appellant John M. Johnson Jr.'s Rule 3.850 postconviction motion

Court's Reasoning

The opinion is a brief per curiam affirmance and does not set out the court's detailed reasoning. By affirming, the appellate court implicitly determined that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion or commit reversible error in denying the motion. No legal analysis or factual findings were published in this disposition.

Parties

Appellant: John M. Johnson, Jr.
Appellee: State of Florida
Judge: Jonathan D. Sacks
Attorney: James Uthmeier, Attorney General
Attorney: Heather Flanagan Ross, Assistant Attorney General

Key Dates

Appellate decision date: 2026-04-16

What You Should Do Next

1
Consider filing timely post-decision motions
If warranted, the appellant should evaluate and, if appropriate, file a motion for rehearing or clarification under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.330 or 9.331 within the applicable deadlines.
2
Consult appellate counsel
The appellant should consult qualified appellate counsel to review the record, assess grounds for further review, and determine whether a petition for discretionary review to the Florida Supreme Court is viable.
3
Confirm finality and deadlines
Parties should verify the date the judgment becomes final after resolving any rehearing motions and note statutory deadlines for further appeals or collateral filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the court decide?: The court affirmed the lower court's denial of the appellant's postconviction motion, meaning the appeal was unsuccessful.
Who is affected by this decision?: The immediate effect is on appellant John M. Johnson, Jr.; the State of Florida prevailed in the appeal.
Does this decision explain why the appeal was denied?: No. The opinion is a short per curiam affirmance and does not include the court's detailed reasoning or analysis.
Can this be challenged further?: The decision notes it is not final until any timely and authorized motions under Florida appellate rules are resolved; further review (such as a motion for rehearing or a petition to the Florida Supreme Court) may be possible subject to rule-based requirements and time limits.

The above suggestions and answers are AI-generated for informational purposes only. They may contain errors. NoticeRegistry assumes no responsibility for their accuracy. Consult a qualified attorney before relying on them.

Full Filing Text

FIFTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
                STATE OF FLORIDA
                 _____________________________

                      Case No. 5D2025-3314
                 L.T. Case No. 2016-CF-004797-A
                  _____________________________

JOHN M. JOHNSON, JR.,

    Appellant,

    v.

STATE OF FLORIDA,

    Appellee.
                 _____________________________


3.850 Appeal from the Circuit Court for Duval County.
Jonathan D. Sacks, Judge.

John M. Johnson, Lake Butler, pro se.

James Uthmeier, Attorney General, and Heather Flanagan Ross,
Assistant Attorney General, Tallahassee, for Appellee.

                         April 16, 2026

PER CURIAM.

    AFFIRMED.

WALLIS, EISNAUGLE, and MACIVER, JJ., concur.
          _____________________________

Not final until disposition of any timely and
authorized motion under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or
9.331.
           _____________________________




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