Camacho v. State

ALTENBERND, Judge.

Felix Camacho appeals his sentences, arguing that the trial court erred by concluding that it had no legal basis to grant a downward departure. In Banks v. State, 732 So.2d 1065 (Fla.1999), the Supreme Court of Florida created a two-step process for deciding whether to impose a downward departure sentence. These two steps are analyzed with at least three different standards of review on appeal. As a result, to facilitate review, it is very helpful for the trial court to explain on the record the precise basis for a decision to depart or not to depart from the guidelines when…