M.A.F. v. State

CAMPBELL, Acting Chief Judge.

Appellant challenges the trial court order committing him to the Department of Juvenile Justice, Level 10. While we find no merit in appellant’s argument that if he had been represented by counsel at sentencing, the trial court would have granted his request to be sentenced as an adult to a term of incarceration, we must reverse as the trial court failed to inquire whether appellant’s waiver of counsel was knowing and voluntary.

Counsel is required at each stage of the proceedings. See Fla. R. Juv. P. 8.165(a). A juvenile defendant must be advised of his right to…