Saunders v. State

319 So. 2d 118
CourtDistrict Court of Appeal of Florida
DecidedMay 9, 1975
DocketW-95
StatusPublished
Cited by41 cases

This text of 319 So. 2d 118 (Saunders v. State) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court of Appeal of Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Saunders v. State, 319 So. 2d 118 (Fla. Ct. App. 1975).

Opinion

319 So.2d 118 (1975)

Ernest SAUNDERS, Appellant,
v.
STATE of Florida, Appellee.

No. W-95.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.

May 9, 1975.

*119 Richard W. Ervin, III, Public Defender, and Michael J. Minerva, Asst. Public Defender, for appellant.

Robert L. Shevin, Atty. Gen., and Michael M. Corin, Asst. Atty. Gen., for appellee.

RAWLS, Chief Judge.

Appellant, Ernest Saunders, appeals from judgments and sentences for three direct criminal contempt charges committed by him in open court in the presence of the trial judge.

Appellant was called as a witness in the trial of his two brothers concerning a criminal episode of the threesome which allegedly took place on September 27, 1973. Appellant had previously been tried as to these alleged criminal acts and the jury had returned a verdict of not guilty. During *120 his own trial appellant voluntarily took the stand and testified. When appellant was called as a witness by the State during the trial of his brothers, the following transpired:

"Q Would you please state your full name, sir?

"A Ernest Saunders.

"Q I would like to direct your attention to the 27th of September, 1973, and ask you if you were with your brothers on that date.

"A (No response)

"THE COURT: Did you understand the question, sir?

"A I understood the question.

"THE COURT: You are hereby directed to answer that question.

"Q Have you ever taken a trip in a U-Haul truck with your brothers?

"THE COURT: Mr. Saunders, sit up straight, if you will, please, sir. Do you understand that question?

"A I understood it.

"Q Have you ever taken a trip in '73 with your brothers in a U-Haul truck?

"THE COURT: The Court is hereby directing you to answer that question, Mr. Saunders, unless you wish to invoke some right of self-incrimination or any other right.

"A I take the fifth amendment.

"MR. MODESITT: Your Honor, this is not appropriate, and if we'd like to take it out of the hearing of the jury again, I would be glad to have it. There is no incriminating matter with regard to his answers and there is nothing that the defendant could be held for.

"THE COURT: Ladies and gentlemen, let me ask you to excuse yourselves again. We have another rule of law we need to get resolved. This is not unusual. I hope you don't think it is.

"(Thereupon the jury left the courtroom and the following proceedings were had:)

"THE COURT: Mr. Prosecutor.

"MR. MODESITT: Mr. Saunders has been acquitted of any charges arising out of this incident in a prior jury trial. The State is prepared to offer him any immunity regarding the robbery or false imprisonment for which he was charged, if the Court feels it is necessary. However, he has had a full trial on these charges and has been acquitted.

"THE COURT: He's been acquitted of both charges that are contained in the information?

"MR. MODESITT: Yes, sir, that is correct.

"THE COURT: Mr. Smith, do you have anything you wish to say?

"MR. SMITH: No, your Honor, but I think in the interest of justice maybe Mr. Saunders' former attorney, Mr. Minerva, might want to advise him of the kind of trouble that he may be getting himself into.

"THE COURT: I'm going to advise him of the trouble he may get into if he refuses to answer.

"Mr. Saunders, the Court is satisfied that there is no possibility of your being incriminated to the point that you will be jeopardizing yourself in any further prosecution. Both the United States Constitution and the Florida Constitution prohibit double jeopardy. Double jeopardy means that you cannot be tried twice for the same offense. And, your having been acquitted of the two counts in this Information in which your brothers are here on trial means that you cannot be tried again for that, even if you were to sit up here and admit yourself that you did it. You could *121 not be tried for that offense or these offenses in the Information. Now, when either side asks you a question, let me say now that the Court considers, after having been advised of your acquittal of these charges, that you do not have the right to invoke the fifth amendment because there is no incriminating evidence that could subject you to any further legal proceedings in these matters. The State has also, in addition thereto, the prosecutor has even offered immunity from any further prosecution. Because of this, the Court has the authority to direct you to answer those questions. Now, in the event that you do not answer those questions as the Court directs you, you subject yourself to possible contempt, direct criminal contempt for direct refusal to abide by the Court's directions or orders insofar as testimony. Now, the Court has the authority in a direct criminal contempt to sentence you to confinement or a fine or both if you refuse to answer the questions after the Court orders you to answer those questions. Do you understand all of that?

"A (Witness nodding head)

"THE COURT: Do you understand that there is no possibility of your being incriminated by anything you have to say here, both under the prohibition against double jeopardy and the Florida Constitution and the United States Constitution, and also with the immunity that has been offered to you by the State Attorney's office from any prosecution with regard to these offenses. There is no way that you can be prosecuted for anything having to do with the two counts in this information. Do you understand that?

"THE COURT: Do you understand that you may be held in contempt if you do not answer the questions after I have directed you to do so?

"THE COURT: Do you understand that as a result of a contempt citation by me you may be incarcerated or fined or both? Do you understand that?

"THE COURT: And let me further explain to you that just because you don't want to testify against your brothers, you do not have the right to remain silent because of what I have previously explained to you, your acquittal and the immunity of anything having to do with these charges. Do you understand that? Do you understand that?

"THE COURT: All right. Let the record reflect that the defendant has nodded his head in an understanding of the Court's directions. Now, when I direct a question to you and when either of the attorneys address a question to you, you are directed to answer in an audible fashion. An audible fashion means by exercising your vocal cords and saying either yes or no or answering the question. Do you understand that?

"THE COURT: Now, I'm directing you to make an audible answer to my inquiries at this point. Do you understand that?

"THE COURT: Either say yes or no.

"A Yes.

"THE COURT: Yes, you do understand. All right. Now, is there any question in your mind as to the trouble that you may incur if you refuse to answer the questions directed to you by either the State Attorney's office or by counsel for the defense?

"A No question.

"THE COURT: No question in your mind whatsoever. All right, sir.

*122 "MR. MODESITT: Your Honor, it might be appropriate, since the jury is out at this time, the defendant has made prior statements which are not necessarily incriminating against his brothers, but during his own trial gave testimony under oath and this is the only testimony we seek at this time. I believe it would be appropriate if the Court would apprise the defendant of the possible perjury charges which could arise if his statements here today contradict what he gave to the Court previously under oath.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Noel Plank v. State of Florida
190 So. 3d 594 (Supreme Court of Florida, 2016)
M.D.M., a Child v. State of Florida
179 So. 3d 362 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2015)
Michaels v. Loftus
139 So. 3d 324 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2014)
Plank v. State
130 So. 3d 289 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2014)
Woods v. State
987 So. 2d 669 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2007)
Woodie v. Campbell
960 So. 2d 877 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2007)
Forbes v. State
933 So. 2d 706 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2006)
McKenzie v. State
840 So. 2d 414 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2003)
Williams v. State
698 So. 2d 1350 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1997)
Brooks v. United States
686 A.2d 214 (District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 1996)
Ippolito v. State
678 So. 2d 381 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1996)
Roundtree v. State
651 So. 2d 1286 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1995)
Thomas v. State
635 A.2d 71 (Court of Special Appeals of Maryland, 1994)
In the Interest of S.T. v. State
629 So. 2d 316 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1993)
ST v. State
629 So. 2d 316 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1993)
Murrell v. State
595 So. 2d 1049 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1992)
Hayes v. State
592 So. 2d 327 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1992)
Johnson v. State
584 So. 2d 95 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1991)
B.M. v. State
523 So. 2d 1185 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1988)
In Re Weinstein
518 So. 2d 1370 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1988)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
319 So. 2d 118, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/saunders-v-state-fladistctapp-1975.