E.C. v. State

We reverse Appellant’s conviction for loitering and prowling. The trial court erred by denying the defense motion for judgment of acquittal.

The incident in question occurred on a summer night, around 11:00 p.m. While patrolling, Sergeant Robertson observed three young males walking along a sidewalk by a strip center. Soon thereafter, Robertson saw the juveniles again at the same location. At the time, several of the stores in the center were open for business and traffic flowed steadily into and out of the parking-lot.

The sergeant took up surveillance and watched the juveniles walk back and…