Simms v. State , 188 So. 3d 975 ( 2016 )


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  • PER CURIAM.

    Damian Simms (“Appellant”) appeals the trial court’s summary denial of his Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850 motion for postconviction relief. Appellant argues defense counsel provided ineffective assistance by: (1) abandoning a self-defense theory; (2) failing to investigate and call various witnesses; and (3) misad-vising him with regard to two plea offers— the first for 15 years and the second for 40 years. We find, and the State properly concedes, that, the attached portions-of the record do not conclusively refute Appellant’s claims. We reverse and remand for either attachment of record excerpts conclusively refuting those claims or for an evidentiary hearing. With respect to claim 3, we find that the record conclusively demonstrates the 15-year plea .offer never materialized. Therefore, we remand on claim 3 only as it pertains to the 40-year plea offer. We note .that an eviden-tiary hearing may be necessary unless “it is so obvious from the face of the record that trial counsel’s strategy ... is very clearly a tactical decision well within the discretion of counsel.” Hannon v. State, 941 So.2d, 1109, 1138 (Fla.2006) (citing State v. Williams, 797 So.2d 1235, 1237-38 (Fla.2001)).

    REVERSED and REMANDED with INSTRUCTIONS.

    SAWAYA, WALLIS, and EDWARDS, JJ., concur.

Document Info

Docket Number: No. 5D15-2033

Citation Numbers: 188 So. 3d 975

Judges: Edwards, Sawaya, Wallis

Filed Date: 4/15/2016

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 8/22/2021