What did the court decide?

The appellate court affirmed the denial of Hill's Rule 3.850 postconviction motion, leaving the lower court's decision in place.

Who is affected by this decision?

The decision directly affects Willie Nelson Hill and the State of Florida; it upholds the denial of Hill's postconviction relief.

Hill may file any timely and authorized motions for rehearing or other relief under the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure if eligible.

Can this be appealed further?

Potential further review could be sought through timely motions for rehearing or by seeking discretionary review in a higher court if allowed, subject to appellate rules and deadlines.

Willie Nelson Hill v. State of Florida

Docket 5D2024-2779

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

Habeas CorpusAffirmed

Filed: Apr 30, 2026 · yesterday
Jurisdiction: Florida
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida
Type: Opinion
Case type: Habeas Corpus
Disposition: Affirmed
Docket: 5D2024-2779

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

Summary

The Fifth District Court of Appeal summarily affirmed the trial court's denial of Willie Nelson Hill's motion under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850. Hill, representing himself, appealed the circuit court's postconviction ruling. The appellate court issued a brief per curiam decision on April 30, 2026, without published opinion, concluding the lower court's disposition should stand. The judgment is subject to any timely motion for rehearing or other authorized relief under Florida appellate rules.

Issues Decided

Whether the circuit court erred in denying Hill's Rule 3.850 postconviction motion
Whether any identified errors in the postconviction proceedings warranted reversal

Court's Reasoning

The court issued a brief per curiam affirmance, indicating the appellate panel found no reversible error in the trial court's handling of Hill's postconviction claims. Because the opinion contains no extended analysis, the affirmance reflects that Hill's arguments did not meet the standards required to disturb the lower court's ruling. The panel also noted the decision is subject to preservation of any timely, authorized motion for rehearing under the appellate rules.

Parties

Appellant: Willie Nelson Hill
Appellee: State of Florida
Judge: Jonathan D. Sacks
Attorney: James Uthmeier, Attorney General
Attorney: Anne C. Conley, Assistant Attorney General

Key Dates

Decision date: 2026-04-30

What You Should Do Next

1
Consider filing motion for rehearing
If Hill believes there are grounds, he should file a timely and authorized motion for rehearing under Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.330 or 9.331, observing the applicable deadlines.
2
Consult counsel
Hill should consult an attorney experienced in postconviction and appellate practice to evaluate possible grounds for rehearing or further review.
3
Check deadlines
Confirm the exact filing deadlines for rehearing or further review under the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure to preserve any available rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the court decide?: The appellate court affirmed the denial of Hill's Rule 3.850 postconviction motion, leaving the lower court's decision in place.
Who is affected by this decision?: The decision directly affects Willie Nelson Hill and the State of Florida; it upholds the denial of Hill's postconviction relief.
What happens next?: Hill may file any timely and authorized motions for rehearing or other relief under the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure if eligible.
Can this be appealed further?: Potential further review could be sought through timely motions for rehearing or by seeking discretionary review in a higher court if allowed, subject to appellate rules and deadlines.

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. 5D2024-2779
                 LT Case No. 2009-CF-005168-A
                   _____________________________

WILLIE NELSON HILL,

    Appellant,

    v.

STATE OF FLORIDA,

    Appellee.
                   _____________________________


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

Willie Nelson Hill, Blountstown, pro se.

James Uthmeier, Attorney General, and Anne C. Conley,
Assistant Attorney General, Tallahassee, for Appellee.

                       April 30, 2026


PER CURIAM.

    AFFIRMED.

WALLIS, EDWARDS, and HARRIS, JJ., concur.
          _____________________________

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




                       2