Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

586 So. 2d 58

586 So.2d 58

16 Fla.L.WeeklySupp. 607

State v. Crisel

Supreme Court of Florida

Decided September 12, 1991

Supreme Court of Florida · decided 1991-09-12

Relies on 577 So. 2d 939 - State v. McCloud · 561 So. 2d 314 - VAA v. State · State v. VAA

Decided 1991-09-12

PER CURIAM.

¶1The state of Florida seeks review of Crisel v. State, 561 So.2d 453 (Fla. 2d DCA 1990), in which the district court affirmed Crisel’s conviction for the sale of marijuana and cocaine, but vacated Crisel’s conviction and sentence for possession of the same quantum of marijuana and cocaine on the authority of V.A.A. v. State, 561 So.2d 314 (Fla. 2d DCA 1990), approved in part, quashed in part, 577 So.2d 941 (Fla.1991). The district court certified the following question as one of great public importance:

WHEN DECIDING A DOUBLE JEOPARDY ISSUE PURSUANT TO SECTION 775.021(4)(b), FLORIDA STATUTES (SUPP.1988), IS THE TRIAL OR APPELLATE COURT PERMITTED TO EXAMINE THE FORMAL CHARGES OR THE FACTS OF THE CASE TO MAKE THE DETERMINATION?

¶2Crisel, 561 So.2d at 457. We rephrase the question as follows:

When deciding a double jeopardy issue pursuant to section 775.021(4)(b), Florida Statutes (Supp.1988), is the trial or appellate court restricted to examining only the charges?

¶3We have jurisdiction pursuant to article V, section 3(b)(4) of the Florida Constitution, and have recently answered this question in the affirmative in State v. McCloud, 577 So.2d 939 (Fla.1991) and State v. V.A.A., 577 So.2d 941 (Fla.1991).

¶4In McCloud, 577 So.2d at 941, we stated that

section 775.021(4)(a) specifically states that “offenses are separate if each offense requires proof of an element that the other does not, without regard to the accusatory pleading or the proof adduced at trial.” (Emphasis added.) Thus, section 775.021(4)(a) precludes the court from examining the evidence to determine whether the defendant possessed and sold the same quantum of cocaine such that possession is a lesser-included offense of sale in any one case.

¶5Applying McCloudto Crisel’s case, the court should examine only the elements charged rather than the facts in determining whether double jeopardy is involved. In accordance with McCloudand V.A.A., we quash that part of the district court’s decision vacating Crisel’s conviction and *59sentence for possession of marijuana and cocaine. We remand for proceedings consistent with this opinion.

¶6It is so ordered.

SHAW, C.J., and OVERTON, MCDONALD, GRIMES, KOGAN and HARDING, JJ., concur.BARKETT, J., concurs in result only.
/586/so2d/58 · .json · Public domain