Obantu v. State

N’Jai Obantu appeals the judgments and sentences entered after he pleaded no contest to violating his probation in two separate cases. He contends the trial court erred by sentencing him to a greater term of incarceration than the suspended portion of his original, true split sentences. The State properly concedes error, and we reverse.

In August 2007, Obantu entered guilty pleas in two cases in which he was charged with uttering a forged instrument and grand theft, both third-degree felonies. In both cases, Obantu was originally sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment, concurrent on each count…