State v. Jones

SALCINES, Judge.

In this appeal, the State argues that the trial court erred when it sentenced Alethia Jones to two years’ drug offender probation pursuant to section 948.01(13), Florida *41Statutes (Supp.1998), without giving written reasons for the downward departure sentence. We reverse and remand.

Jones was charged with possession of cocaine in violation of section 893.13, Florida Statutes (Supp.1998). It is undisputed that under the sentencing guidelines her score required a sentence of imprisonment. The trial court conducted an evidentiary hearing at which a psychiatrist testified that Jones…