Is there anyway if I was given probation in a state I do not live, that it can be moved?
Full Question:
The courts in Florida have charged me with simple battery (misdomeanor) and one year probation. Now they want me to pay restitution which is going to be impossible for me to pay. I support 3 children and my elderly parents. What should I do? I can not afford to keep traveling to Florida from North Carolina to fight this ridiculous charge. The person that was alledgedly injured (broken finger) is only after money. He does not work or have a job and as far as I know never has. Me on the other hand have worked since I was 13 yrs old and have NO record. He has a rap sheet a mile long. What should I do?
11/14/2007 |
Category: Criminal |
State: North Carolina |
#12220
Answer:
The following are Florida statutes:
784.03 Battery; felony battery. —
(1)(a) The offense of battery occurs when a person:
1. Actually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against
the will of the other; or
2. Intentionally causes bodily harm to another person.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person who commits battery
commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) A person who has one prior conviction for battery, aggravated
battery, or felony battery and who commits any second or subsequent battery
commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082,
s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. For purposes of this subsection, "conviction"
means a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or a trial,
regardless of whether adjudication is withheld or a plea of nolo contendere
is entered.
775.082 Penalties; applicability of sentencing structures; mandatory
minimum sentences for certain reoffenders previously released from prison.
—
(1) A person who has been convicted of a capital felony shall be punished
by death if the proceeding held to determine sentence according to the
procedure set forth in s. 921.141 results in findings by the court that
such person shall be punished by death, otherwise such person shall be
punished by life imprisonment and shall be ineligible for parole.
(2) In the event the death penalty in a capital felony is held to be
unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court or the United States Supreme
Court, the court having jurisdiction over a person previously sentenced to
death for a capital felony shall cause such person to be brought before the
court, and the court shall sentence such person to life imprisonment as
provided in subsection (1). No sentence of death shall be reduced as a
result of a determination that a method of execution is held to be
unconstitutional under the State Constitution or the Constitution of the
United States.
(3) A person who has been convicted of any other designated felony may be
punished as follows:
(a)1. For a life felony committed prior to October 1, 1983, by a term of
imprisonment for life or for a term of years not less than 30.
2. For a life felony committed on or after October 1, 1983, by a term of
imprisonment for life or by a term of imprisonment not exceeding 40 years.
3. Except as provided in subparagraph 4., for a life felony committed
on or after July 1, 1995, by a term of imprisonment for life or by
imprisonment for a term of years not exceeding life imprisonment.
4. For a life felony committed on or after September 1, 2005, which is a
violation of s. 800.04(5)(b), by:
a. A term of imprisonment for life; or
b. A split sentence that is a term of not less than 25 years'
imprisonment and not exceeding life imprisonment, followed by probation
or community control for the remainder of the person's natural life, as
provided in s. 948.012(4).
(b) For a felony of the first degree, by a term of imprisonment not
exceeding 30 years or, when specifically provided by statute, by
imprisonment for a term of years not exceeding life imprisonment.
(c) For a felony of the second degree, by a term of imprisonment not
exceeding 15 years.
(d) For a felony of the third degree, by a term of imprisonment not
exceeding 5 years.
(4) A person who has been convicted of a designated misdemeanor may be
sentenced as follows:
(a) For a misdemeanor of the first degree, by a definite term of
imprisonment not exceeding 1 year;
(b) For a misdemeanor of the second degree, by a definite term of
imprisonment not exceeding 60 days.
(5) Any person who has been convicted of a noncriminal violation may not
be sentenced to a term of imprisonment nor to any other punishment more
severe than a fine, forfeiture, or other civil penalty, except as provided
in chapter 316 or by ordinance of any city or county.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the operation of
any statute of this state authorizing a trial court, in its discretion, to
impose a sentence of imprisonment for an indeterminate period within
minimum and maximum limits as provided by law, except as provided in
subsection (1).
(7) This section does not deprive the court of any authority conferred by
law to decree a forfeiture of property, suspend or cancel a license, remove
a person from office, or impose any other civil penalty. Such a judgment or
order may be included in the sentence.
(8)(a) The sentencing guidelines that were effective October 1, 1983, and
any revisions thereto, apply to all felonies, except capital felonies,
committed on or after October 1, 1983, and before January 1, 1994, and to
all felonies, except capital felonies and life felonies, committed before
October 1, 1983, when the defendant affirmatively selects to be sentenced
pursuant to such provisions.
(b) The 1994 sentencing guidelines, that were effective January 1, 1994,
and any revisions thereto, apply to all felonies, except capital felonies,
committed on or after January 1, 1994, and before October 1, 1995.
(c) The 1995 sentencing guidelines that were effective October 1, 1995,
and any revisions thereto, apply to all felonies, except capital felonies,
committed on or after October 1, 1995, and before October 1, 1998.
(d) The Criminal Punishment Code applies to all felonies, except capital
felonies, committed on or after October 1, 1998. Any revision to the
Criminal Punishment Code applies to sentencing for all felonies, except
capital felonies, committed on or after the effective date of the revision.
(e) Felonies, except capital felonies, with continuing dates of
enterprise shall be sentenced under the sentencing guidelines or the
Criminal Punishment Code in effect on the beginning date of the criminal
activity.
(9)(a)1. "Prison releasee reoffender" means any defendant who commits, or
attempts to commit:
a. Treason;
b. Murder;
c. Manslaughter;
d. Sexual battery;
e. Carjacking;
f. Home-invasion robbery;
g. Robbery;
h. Arson;
i. Kidnapping;
j. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon;
k. Aggravated battery;
l. Aggravated stalking;
m. Aircraft piracy;
n. Unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or
bomb;
o. Any felony that involves the use or threat of physical force or
violence against an individual;
p. Armed burglary;
q. Burglary of a dwelling or burglary of an occupied structure; or
r. Any felony violation of s. 790.07, s. 800.04, s. 827.03, or s.
827.071;
within 3 years after being released from a state correctional facility
operated by the Department of Corrections or a private vendor or within 3
years after being released from a correctional institution of another
state, the District of Columbia, the United States, any possession or
territory of the United States, or any foreign jurisdiction, following
incarceration for an offense for which the sentence is punishable by more
than 1 year in this state.
2. "Prison releasee reoffender" also means any defendant who commits or
attempts to commit any offense listed in sub-subparagraphs (a)1.a.-r. while
the defendant was serving a prison sentence or on escape status from a
state correctional facility operated by the Department of Corrections or a
private vendor or while the defendant was on escape status from a
correctional institution of another state, the District of Columbia, the
United States, any possession or territory of the United States, or any
foreign jurisdiction, following incarceration for an offense for which the
sentence is punishable by more than 1 year in this state.
3. If the state attorney determines that a defendant is a prison releasee
reoffender as defined in subparagraph 1., the state attorney may seek to
have the court sentence the defendant as a prison releasee reoffender. Upon
proof from the state attorney that establishes by a preponderance of the
evidence that a defendant is a prison releasee reoffender as defined in
this section, such defendant is not eligible for sentencing under the
sentencing guidelines and must be sentenced as follows:
a. For a felony punishable by life, by a term of imprisonment for life;
b. For a felony of the first degree, by a term of imprisonment of 30
years;
c. For a felony of the second degree, by a term of imprisonment of 15
years; and
d. For a felony of the third degree, by a term of imprisonment of 5
years.
(b) A person sentenced under paragraph (a) shall be released only by
expiration of sentence and shall not be eligible for parole, control
release, or any form of early release. Any person sentenced under paragraph
(a) must serve 100 percent of the court-imposed sentence.
(c) Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a court from imposing a
greater sentence of incarceration as authorized by law, pursuant to s.
775.084 or any other provision of law.
(d)1. It is the intent of the Legislature that offenders previously
released from prison who meet the criteria in paragraph (a) be punished to
the fullest extent of the law and as provided in this subsection, unless
the state attorney determines that extenuating circumstances exist which
preclude the just prosecution of the offender, including whether the victim
recommends that the offender not be sentenced as provided in this
subsection.
2. For every case in which the offender meets the criteria in paragraph
(a) and does not receive the mandatory minimum prison sentence, the state
attorney must explain the sentencing deviation in writing and place such
explanation in the case file maintained by the state attorney. On an annual
basis, each state attorney shall submit copies of deviation memoranda
regarding offenses committed on or after the effective date of this
subsection, to the president of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys
Association, Inc. The association must maintain such information, and make
such information available to the public upon request, for at least a
10-year period.
(10) The purpose of this section is to provide uniform punishment for
those crimes made punishable under this section and, to this end, a
reference to this section constitutes a general reference under the
doctrine of incorporation by reference.
775.083 Fines. —
(1) A person who has been convicted of an offense other than a capital
felony may be sentenced to pay a fine in addition to any punishment
described in s. 775.082; when specifically authorized by statute, he or she
may be sentenced to pay a fine in lieu of any punishment described in s.
775.082. A person who has been convicted of a noncriminal violation may be
sentenced to pay a fine. Fines for designated crimes and for noncriminal
violations shall not exceed:
(a) $15,000, when the conviction is of a life felony.
(b) $10,000, when the conviction is of a felony of the first or second
degree.
(c) $5,000, when the conviction is of a felony of the third degree.
(d) $1,000, when the conviction is of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(e) $500, when the conviction is of a misdemeanor of the second degree or
a noncriminal violation.
(f) Any higher amount equal to double the pecuniary gain derived from the
offense by the offender or double the pecuniary loss suffered by the
victim.
(g) Any higher amount specifically authorized by statute.
Fines imposed in this subsection shall be deposited by the clerk of the
court in the fine and forfeiture fund established pursuant to s. 142.01.
If a defendant is unable to pay a fine, the court may defer payment of
the fine to a date certain.
(2) In addition to the fines set forth in subsection (1), court costs
shall be assessed and collected in each instance a defendant pleads nolo
contendere to, or is convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent for, a felony,
a misdemeanor, or a criminal traffic offense under state law, or a
violation of any municipal or county ordinance if the violation constitutes
a misdemeanor under state law. The court costs imposed by this section
shall be $50 for a felony and $20 for any other offense and shall be
deposited by the clerk of the court into an appropriate county account for
disbursement for the purposes provided in this subsection. A county shall
account for the funds separately from other county funds as crime
prevention funds. The county, in consultation with the sheriff, must expend
such funds for crime prevention programs in the county, including safe
neighborhood programs under ss. 163.501-163.523.
(3) The purpose of this section is to provide uniform penalty
authorization for criminal offenses and, to this end, a reference to this
section constitutes a general reference under the doctrine of
incorporation by reference.
775.089 Restitution. —
(1)(a) In addition to any punishment, the court shall order the defendant
to make restitution to the victim for:
1. Damage or loss caused directly or indirectly by the defendant's
offense; and
2. Damage or loss related to the defendant's criminal episode,
unless it finds clear and compelling reasons not to order such
restitution. Restitution may be monetary or nonmonetary restitution. The
court shall make the payment of restitution a condition of probation in
accordance with s. 948.03. An order requiring the defendant to make
restitution to a victim does not remove or diminish the requirement that
the court order payment to the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund pursuant to
chapter 960. Payment of an award by the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund
shall create an order of restitution to the Crimes Compensation Trust
Fund, unless specifically waived in accordance with subparagraph (b)1.
(b)1. If the court does not order restitution, or orders restitution of
only a portion of the damages, as provided in this section, it shall state
on the record in detail the reasons therefor.
2. An order of restitution entered as part of a plea agreement is as
definitive and binding as any other order of restitution, and a statement
to such effect must be made part of the plea agreement. A plea agreement
may contain provisions that order restitution relating to criminal offenses
committed by the defendant to which the defendant did not specifically
enter a plea.
(c) The term "victim" as used in this section and in any provision of law
relating to restitution means each person who suffers property damage or
loss, monetary expense, or physical injury or death as a direct or indirect
result of the defendant's offense or criminal episode, and also includes
the victim's estate if the victim is deceased, and the victim's next of kin
if the victim is deceased as a result of the offense.
(2)(a) When an offense has resulted in bodily injury to a victim, a
restitution order entered under subsection (1) shall require that the
defendant:
1. Pay the cost of necessary medical and related professional services
and devices relating to physical, psychiatric, and psychological care,
including nonmedical care and treatment rendered in accordance with a
recognized method of healing.
2. Pay the cost of necessary physical and occupational therapy and
rehabilitation.
3. Reimburse the victim for income lost by the victim as a result of the
offense.
4. In the case of an offense which resulted in bodily injury that also
resulted in the death of a victim, pay an amount equal to the cost of
necessary funeral and related services.
(b) When an offense has not resulted in bodily injury to a victim, a
restitution order entered under subsection (1) may require that the
defendant reimburse the victim for income lost by the victim as a result of
the offense.
(3)(a) The court may require that the defendant make restitution under
this section within a specified period or in specified installments.
(b) The end of such period or the last such installment shall not be
later than:
1. The end of the period of probation if probation is ordered;
2. Five years after the end of the term of imprisonment imposed if the
court does not order probation; or
3. Five years after the date of sentencing in any other case.
(c) Notwithstanding this subsection, a court that has ordered restitution
for a misdemeanor offense shall retain jurisdiction for the purpose of
enforcing the restitution order for any period, not to exceed 5 years, that
is pronounced by the court at the time restitution is ordered.
(d) If not otherwise provided by the court under this subsection,
restitution must be made immediately.
If the restitution ordered by the court is not made within the time
period specified, the court may continue the restitution order through the
duration of the civil judgment provision set forth in subsection (5) and
as provided in s. 55.10.
(4) If a defendant is placed on probation or paroled, complete
satisfaction of any restitution ordered under this section shall be a
condition of such probation or parole. The court may revoke probation, and
the Parole Commission may revoke parole, if the defendant fails to comply
with such order.
(5) An order of restitution may be enforced by the state, or by a victim
named in the order to receive the restitution, in the same manner as a
judgment in a civil action. The outstanding unpaid amount of the order of
restitution bears interest in accordance with s. 55.03, and, when properly
recorded, becomes a lien on real estate owned by the defendant. If civil
enforcement is necessary, the defendant shall be liable for costs and
attorney's fees incurred by the victim in enforcing the order.
(6)(a) The court, in determining whether to order restitution and the
amount of such restitution, shall consider the amount of the loss sustained
by any victim as a result of the offense.
(b) The criminal court, at the time of enforcement of the restitution
order, shall consider the financial resources of the defendant, the present
and potential future financial needs and earning ability of the defendant
and his or her dependents, and such other factors which it deems
appropriate.
(7) Any dispute as to the proper amount or type of restitution shall be
resolved by the court by the preponderance of the evidence. The burden of
demonstrating the amount of the loss sustained by a victim as a result of
the offense is on the state attorney. The burden of demonstrating the
present financial resources and the absence of potential future financial
resources of the defendant and the financial needs of the defendant and his
or her dependents is on the defendant. The burden of demonstrating such
other matters as the court deems appropriate is upon the party designated
by the court as justice requires.
(8) The conviction of a defendant for an offense involving the act giving
rise to restitution under this section shall estop the defendant from
denying the essential allegations of that offense in any subsequent civil
proceeding. An order of restitution hereunder will not bar any subsequent
civil remedy or recovery, but the amount of such restitution shall be set
off against any subsequent independent civil recovery.
(9) When a corporation or unincorporated association is ordered to make
restitution, the person authorized to make disbursements from the assets of
such corporation or association shall pay restitution from such assets, and
such person may be held in contempt for failure to make such restitution.
(10)(a) Any default in payment of restitution may be collected by any
means authorized by law for enforcement of a judgment.
(b) The restitution obligation is not subject to discharge in bankruptcy,
whether voluntary or involuntary, or to any other statutory or common-law
proceeding for relief against creditors.
(11)(a) The court may order the clerk of the court to collect and
dispense restitution payments in any case.
(b) The court may order the Department of Corrections to collect and
dispense restitution and other payments from persons remanded to its
custody or supervision.
(12)(a) Issuance of income deduction order with an order for restitution.
—
1. Upon the entry of an order for restitution, the court shall enter a
separate order for income deduction if one has not been entered.
2. The income deduction order shall direct a payor to deduct from all
income due and payable to the defendant the amount required by the court to
meet the defendant's obligation.
3. The income deduction order shall be effective so long as the order for
restitution upon which it is based is effective or until further order of
the court.
4. When the court orders the income deduction, the court shall furnish to
the defendant a statement of his or her rights, remedies, and duties in
regard to the income deduction order. The statement shall state:
a. All fees or interest which shall be imposed.
b. The total amount of income to be deducted for each pay period.
c. That the income deduction order applies to current and subsequent
payors and periods of employment.
d. That a copy of the income deduction order will be served on the
defendant's payor or payors.
e. That enforcement of the income deduction order may only be contested
on the ground of mistake of fact regarding the amount of restitution owed.
f. That the defendant is required to notify the clerk of court within 7
days after changes in the defendant's address, payors, and the addresses of
his or her payors.
(b) Enforcement of income deduction orders. —
1. The clerk of court or probation officer shall serve an income
deduction order and the notice to payor on the defendant's payor unless the
defendant has applied for a hearing to contest the enforcement of the
income deduction order.
2.a. Service by or upon any person who is a party to a proceeding under
this subsection shall be made in the manner prescribed in the Florida Rules
of Civil Procedure for service upon parties.
b. Service upon the defendant's payor or successor payor under this
subsection shall be made by prepaid certified mail, return receipt
requested, or in the manner prescribed in chapter 48.
3. The defendant, within 15 days after having an income deduction order
entered against him or her, may apply for a hearing to contest the
enforcement of the income deduction order on the ground of mistake of fact
regarding the amount of restitution owed. The timely request for a hearing
shall stay the service of an income deduction order on all payors of the
defendant until a hearing is held and a determination is made as to whether
the enforcement of the income deduction order is proper.
4. The notice to payor shall contain only information necessary for the
payor to comply with the income deduction order. The notice shall:
a. Require the payor to deduct from the defendant's income the amount
specified in the income deduction order and to pay that amount to the clerk
of court.
b. Instruct the payor to implement the income deduction order no later
than the first payment date which occurs more than 14 days after the date
the income deduction order was served on the payor.
c. Instruct the payor to forward within 2 days after each payment date to
the clerk of court the amount deducted from the defendant's income and a
statement as to whether the amount totally or partially satisfies the
periodic amount specified in the income deduction order.
d. Specify that, if a payor fails to deduct the proper amount from the
defendant's income, the payor is liable for the amount the payor should
have deducted plus costs, interest, and reasonable attorney's fees.
e. Provide that the payor may collect up to $5 against the defendant's
income to reimburse the payor for administrative costs for the first income
deduction and up to $2 for each deduction thereafter.
f. State that the income deduction order and the notice to payor are
binding on the payor until further notice by the court or until the payor
no longer provides income to the defendant.
g. Instruct the payor that, when he or she no longer provides income to
the defendant, the payor shall notify the clerk of court and shall also
provide the defendant's last known address and the name and address of the
defendant's new payor, if known, and that, if the payor violates this
provision, the payor is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $250 for
the first violation or $500 for any subsequent violation.
h. State that the payor shall not discharge, refuse to employ, or take
disciplinary action against the defendant because of an income deduction
order and shall state that a violation of this provision subjects the payor
to a civil penalty not to exceed $250 for the first violation or $500 for
any subsequent violation.
i. Inform the payor that, when he or she receives income deduction orders
requiring that the income of two or more defendants be deducted and sent to
the same clerk of court, the payor may combine the amounts that are to be
paid to the depository in a single payment as long as he or she identifies
that portion of the payment attributable to each defendant.
j. Inform the payor that if the payor receives more than one income
deduction order against the same defendant, he or she shall contact the
court for further instructions.
5. The clerk of court shall enforce income deduction orders against the
defendant's successor payor who is located in this state in the same manner
prescribed in this subsection for the enforcement of an income deduction
order against an original payor.
6. A person may not discharge, refuse to employ, or take disciplinary
action against an employee because of the enforcement of an income
deduction order. An employer who violates this provision is subject to a
civil penalty not to exceed $250 for the first violation or $500 for any
subsequent violation.
7. When a payor no longer provides income to a defendant, the payor shall
notify the clerk of court and shall provide the defendant's last known
address and the name and address of the defendant's new payor, if known. A
payor who violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty not to
exceed $250 for the first violation or $500 for a subsequent violation.