Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

627 So. 2d 489

Sanchez v. Encinas

District Court of Appeal of Florida · decided 1993-04-27

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently June 1997

2 state decisions

Relies on 494 So. 2d 1143 - Lambrix v. State · Skylight Corp. v. State, Department of Business Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco · 486 So. 2d 623 - Rosen v. Marlin

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1993-04-27

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

PER CURIAM.

¶1The plaintiff-appellee, a professional singer, recovered damages for breach of a contract to promote the plaintiffs recordings and for “civil theft” of a master tape which was involved in the agreement. We reverse the breach of contract award because, as a matter of law, the plaintiff did not establish that he would have profited in any way even if the agreement had been performed, see A & P Bakery Supply & Equip. Co. v. Hawatmeh, 388 So.2d 1071 (Fla. 3d DCA 1980), and the judgment under the theft statute because the record shows, at most, a bona fide dispute over the right to the property in question, and thus negates the wrongful intent required to sustain a claim for theft. See Senfeld v. Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Co., 450 So.2d 1157 (Fla. 3d DCA 1984); Rodriguez v. State, 396 So.2d 798 (Fla. 3d DCA 1981); see also Rosen v. Marlin, 486 So.2d 623 (Fla. 3d DCA 1986), review denied, 494 So.2d 1151 (Fla.1986). Accordingly, the judgment below is reversed with directions to enter judgment for the appellants.

¶2Reversed.

¶3Upon consideration, appellee’s motion for clarification is granted. The decision in this cause does not affect the unchallenged ruling below that the appellee is entitled to return of the tapes in question. The appellants’ motion for appellate attorney’s fees and costs is denied. SCHWARTZ, C.J., NESBITT and COPE, JJ., concur.

/627/so2d/489 · .json · Public domain