Wright v. State

940 So. 2d 1215, 2006 Fla. App. LEXIS 18330, 2006 WL 3077617

Opinion

KELLY, Judge.

Otis Wright appeals from his judgment and sentence for sexual battery and kidnapping. We find no merit in his arguments on appeal except for his claim that the trial court improperly assessed additional court costs in the amount of $150 pursuant to section 939.18(l)(a), Florida Statutes (2004).¹ Section 939.18(l)(b) permits a court to impose this additional court cost if “it finds that the person has the ability to pay the additional assessment.” Because the trial court failed to make the requisite finding, that cost must be stricken from Wright’s sentence. On remand, the trial court may again assess this additional cost provided it finds that Wright has the ability to pay it. Accordingly, we reverse the portion of Wright’s sentence assessing $150 in additional court costs. The trial court shall strike this cost from the sentence. We otherwise affirm the judgment and sentence.

Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded with directions.

NORTHCUTT and SALCINES, JJ., concur.

1 . Wright preserved this argument by filing a rule 3.800(b) motion to correct sentence. The trial court granted the motion in part, but denied Wright's challenge to the imposition of costs.