ELISE MITCHELL, APPELLANT,
v.
STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE
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Elise Mitchell appeals an order denying her motion for post-conviction relief based on claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. The court found a facially sufficient claim regarding counsel's failure to investigate whether the property burned constituted a 'dwelling' under Florida's arson statute, warranting reversal and remand for an evidentiary hearing.
The court held that Mitchell raised a facially sufficient ineffective assistance of counsel claim regarding counsel's failure to investigate whether the property was a 'dwelling' and reversed and remanded on that issue. The court affirmed the denial of relief on the remaining claims of ineffectiveness, finding them either facially insufficient or rebutted by the record.
[1] A building that is vacant, damaged, and boarded-up is not a "dwelling" within the meaning of the arson statute when there is no evidence of the owners' intent to return.
[2] A facially sufficient claim of ineffective assistance of counsel may be raised by alleging counsel's failure to investigate whether the property burned constituted a "dwe…
Previewing 2 of 4 headnotes on this case. FLexlaw’s editorially structured points of law — every proposition, pinpointed — are reserved for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“A vacant, damaged, boarded-up house is not a "dwelling" within the meaning of section 806.01, Florida Statutes (1995), when there is no evidence the owners intend to return.”
Establishes the legal standard for what constitutes a 'dwelling' under Florida's arson statute and directly supports Mitchell's claim that counsel should have investigated this issue.
Previewing 1 of 3 key quotes on this case — the court’s exact language, pinpointed for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceMitchell was charged with first-degree felony arson for burning a building at 8315 Galveston Avenue in Jacksonville on January 20, 1996. She pleaded g…
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ERVIN, J.
Appellant, Elise Mitchell, seeks review of an order denying her motion for post-conviction relief. She asserted in her motion that counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate whether the property that was burned was a “dwelling” under the arson statute, for failing to interview and depose various witnesses, and for failing to investigate an intoxication defense.
Additionally, she asserted that her plea was not voluntary, because counsel failed to investigate and therefore failed to properly advise her, and because she was under the influence of psychotropic medications at the time she entered her plea to the arson charge.
We conclude that appellant raised a facially sufficient claim of ineffectiveness due to counsel’s alleged failure to investigate the property that was burned to determine whether it constituted a “dwelling” under the arson statute and reverse and remand on that point. The court’s remaining rulings are affirmed for the reasons that the claims are facially insufficient or rebutted by the record. Appellant was charged with first-degree felony arson for burning a dwelling at 8315 Galveston Avenue in Jacksonville on January 20, 1996. She pleaded guilty to the charge and received a six-year sentence as a habitual felony offender. She thereafter alleged in her sworn motion for postconviction relief and supporting memorandum that the building had been vacant since 1994 and had numerous housing code violations which made it uninhabitable. A vacant, damaged, boarded-up house is not a “dwelling” within the meaning of section 806.01, Florida Statutes (1995), when there is no evidence the owners intend to return. See P.P.M. v. State, 447 So. 2d 445 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984).
Consequently, if appellant’s allegations are true, there would have been' no factual basis for her plea to first-degree arson. Because the trial court failed to attach anything from the record which rebuts appellant’s allegations on this point, the case is reversed and remanded for an evidentiary hearing to determine if counsel failed to properly investigate the case. If the court determines that counsel’s performance was deficient, it must then determine whether appellant’s plea, which was entered based upon counsel’s advice, was prejudiced by the deficient performance.
AFFIRMED in part, REVERSED in part, and REMANDED for further proceedings.
BARFIELD, C.J., and JOANOS, J., CONCUR.
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In re Standard Jury Instructions IN Crim. Cases- Report NO. 2013-03, 146 So. 3d 1110 (Fla. 2014)…felony, define the felony that the defendant was allegedly committing. Lesser Included Offenses Comment A special instruction is necessary in cases where the e dwelling is vacant and the homeowner does not intend to return. See Mitchell v. State, 734 So. 2d 1067 (Fla. 1st DCA 1999). This instruction was adopted in 1981 and was amended in 1992 and 2014. 12.2 ARSON — SECOND DEGREE § 806.01(2), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Arson — Second Degree, the State must prove the following tteeetwo elements beyo…
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In re STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIM. CASES-REPORT 2018-05., 257 So. 3d 925 (Fla. 2018)…None Arson - second degree 806.01(2) 12.2 Attempt 777.04(1) 5.1 Criminal mischief 806.13 12.4 Comment s A special instruction is necessary in cases where the dwelling is vacant and the homeowner does not intend to return.SeeSee Mitchell v. State, 734 So. 2d 1067 (Fla. 1st DCA 1999). This instruction was adopted in 1981 and was amended in 1992 [603 So. 2d 1175], and 2014 [146 So. 3d 1110], and 2018. [*929] 13.1 BURGLARY § 810.02, Fla. Stat. Give if the information or indictment charges entering with the i…
Authorities Cited
- P.P.M. v. State, 447 So. 2d 445 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984)