Clifton Brooks v. State of Florida

Clifton Brooks appeals his convictions and sentences for sexual battery on a person less than 12 years of age and lewd or lascivious molestation of a child less than 12 years of age. Among other arguments raised on appeal, Brooks asserts that the trial court failed to order an evaluation to determine his competency and failed to inform him of his right to counsel prior to imposing sentence.

Prior to trial, Brooks’s public defender filed a Suggestion of Mental Incompetence to Proceed, requesting that the court issue an order for Brooks to be examined by a court-appointed expert to determine…