Ritchie v. State

Blackburn, Chief Judge.

Following a bench trial in which he was found guilty of driving an unsafe and improperly equipped vehicle, William R. Ritchie appeals his sentence, arguing that the trial court exceeded its authority and entered an invalid judgment when it ordered restitution as part of his sentence. For the reasons set forth below, we dismiss this appeal.

On May 3, 2001, Ritchie, who had stopped his car to make a left turn, was struck from behind by another vehicle. A deputy sheriff who responded to the scene of the accident issued Ritchie a citation for failing to have operational…