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518 So. 2d 457

518 So.2d 457

13 Fla.L.Weekly 179

A.C.S. v. State

District Court of Appeal of Florida

Decided January 14, 1988

District Court of Appeal of Florida · decided 1988-01-14

Relies on 402 So. 2d 1169 - State v. James

Decided 1988-01-14

ORFINGER, Judge.

¶1The juvenile defendant appeals an adjudication of delinquency on charges of aggravated battery, battery and petit theft. We reverse.

¶2The trial court erred in admitting into evidence, for substantive purposes, the discovery deposition of the alleged victim. Depositions taken for purposes of discovery may not be used as substantive evidence in a criminal trial. State v. James, 402 So.2d 1169 (Fla.1981). The state concedes the Rules of Juvenile Procedure, like the Rules of Criminal Procedure, provide that a deposition taken for discovery purposes may be used only “for the purpose of impeaching the testimony of the deponent as a witness.” Fla.R.Juv.P. 8.070(d)(3). Cf Rule 8.070(e).

¶3Because the trial court expressly relied on the deposition in determining delinquency, we cannot agree with the state’s contention that the error in admitting the deposition was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Because the evidence is otherwise insufficient to support the adjudication, we reverse with directions to discharge the defendant.

¶4REVERSED.

UPCHURCH, C.J., and COBB, J., concur.
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