State v. Mitchell

GLICKSTEIN, Judge.

Ronald A. Mitchell was charged by information with battery on a school employee, contrary to sections 231.06(2) and 784.03(1), Florida Statutes. Initially he pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to no contest to the charges. After hearing the factual basis of the charges and the victim’s testimony, and speaking with the defendant, the trial judge reduced the charge to a misdemeanor, over the state’s objection, saying that he could not see why a judge cannot reduce charges, in spite of the state’s objection, if a jury can do it.

The trial judge withheld adjudication on the…