Artiles v. State

We reverse appellant’s conviction and remand for new trial, having concluded that the trial court’s refusal to continue appellant’s competency hearing was an abuse of discretion.

Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.216(a) provides:(a) Expert to Aid Defense Counsel. When in any criminal case counsel for a defendant adjudged to be indigent or partially indigent, whether public defender or court appointed, shall have reason to believe that the defendant may be incompetent to proceed or that the defendant may have been insane at the time of the offense or probation or community control violation,…